It’s all about full frame mirrorless cameras nowadays. If you don’t go for such a camera, you are not taken seriously. Why not choose a mirrorless crop camera? I have six reasons to go for the new Canon EOS M50 Mark II.
Everyone is talking about the Sony Alpha, the Nikon Z, or the Canon EOS R series. Even Panasonic is aiming at the full frame market with the Lumix DC-S1 and DC-S5. This has a reason, of course. These cameras each are wonderful machines capable of incredible results under very challenging conditions.
Reviewing the Panasonic Lumix DC-S5
Autofocus is swift and accurate, even under low-light conditions. The eyes of people, animals, and birds are recognized. Tracking keeps the focus on the right place no matter what. The dynamic range is pushed with every new model. You can get 13 stops, 14 stops, or even 15 stops.
But these cameras come at a price. Literally. You need to spend almost $4,000 on a Canon EOS R5. The Sony Alpha 1 is $6,500. The Nikon Z7 II will set you back for almost $3,100. These are the top models, of course. Even the cheapest full frame models are at least $1,000 dollars, which is still a lot for a lot of people.
Top camera models of Canon and Sony. These are wonderful... and expensive.
But do you need a full frame mirrorless camera? Is your photography depending on a full frame sensor? Or do you need all the groundbreaking possibilities these top models offer? Perhaps you could do with a mirrorless camera that has a smaller sensor. For one reason, these cameras are much cheaper compared to their full frame siblings, bringing them within reach of most photographic enthusiasts.
The New Canon EOS M50 Mark II
Canon Netherlands asked me to review the new Canon EOS M50 Mark II a while ago. It is the follow-up of the Canon EOS M50 that was launched in 2018. It's a pity this mirrorless crop camera is almost overlooked due to the mirrorless full frame wars that have been raging for a few years.
The Canon EOS M50 first edition, in white. I reviewed this camera back in 2018.
With the new Mark II version, Canon has implemented a couple of enhancements that make this small mirrorless camera a good choice for many. Instead of another review, I decided to write down six reasons why this small but capable camera might be a good choice for you.
The Canon EOS M50 Mark II. This time, I got a black version for the review.
1. It Has All the Important Features
Let’s be honest. What do you need in a camera, except a good exposure metering system and the possibility to use aperture priority, shutter speed priority, and manual mode? I think the answer is a good autofocus system that is fast and accurate.
The Canon EOS M50 Mark II has all that. It offers eye, face, and body autofocus. You can choose servo AF with the ability to touch and drag your autofocus point on the LCD touchscreen, even if you use the electronic viewfinder. It uses Dual Pixel CMOS AF with 143 AF points that cover almost the whole viewfinder.
It is small, and thus some concessions are made concerning buttons and dials. But it works great, especially in combination with the touchscreen.
If you fancy a good stabilization system, the EOS M50 won’t let you down with its five-axis IBIS and digital IS. You can shoot up to 7.4 frames per second with full AF capabilities or 10 frames per second when the AF lock is activated. The AF and metering work up to -4 EV with an f/2.0 lens attached, which is more than sufficient on most occasions.
2. It Is Made for Video
The small size and lightweight camera body make it easy to carry the Canon EOS M50 Mark II with you. Put it on a simple selfie stick and use the fully articulating screen for your personal vlogging. Place the camera on a small tripod or Gorilla Pod, and with the handy movie self-timer, it is easy to start your own video.
This camera is ideal for videos and vlogs. Just place it on a selfie stick and start filming.
The camera offers 4K 24p, FHD 60p, or HD 120p high frame rate video. If combined with the IBIS system and digital IS, it is easy to walk around while filming without getting seasick while watching the results afterwards. The touchscreen makes operating the video functions easy. If you like, the Canon EOS M50 Mark II also offers time-lapse possibilities.
The recorded sound from the built-in microphone is of great quality. A wind filter can be activated if needed. You can improve the sound with an external microphone if you need the best quality available.
Although the built-in microphone produces good quality sound, an external microphone can also be connected.
3. A User-Friendly Menu
Although this may be a very personal opinion, I do find the Canon menu the best available at this moment. The Canon EOS M50 Mark II also has the same menu structure as the other EOS models. There is a big difference, though.
The Canon EOS M50 Mark II is also for the amateur photographer who wants an even more accessible menu structure. You can choose between the easy one, with graphics and examples of the setting you have in front of you, or the more traditional menu structure.
The well-known Canon menu structure makes changing settings very easy.
Everything can be operated by the touchscreen, not only in the menu, but also on the LCD screen while photographing. Just press the Q button on the back of the camera or on the screen, and you can adjust the settings that are available on the screen.
4. The Image Quality Is Good
Perhaps the Canon EOS M50 Mark II doesn't have the best sensor available, but it produces good results. You have to weigh it against the price you pay for this small but capable camera. It is said this camera outperforms the Canon EOS 80D on a lot of occasions, but I don’t have a comparison myself.
The result with ISO 3,200. Using this ISO is no problem. Also, ISO 6,400 can be used, although you will have higher noise levels.
The ISO performance is good as long as you stay below ISO 3,200. ISO 6,400 shows noise, but on a lot of occasions, it is still usable. Although the camera goes all the way up to ISO 51,200, that won’t produce an attractive result. But it is available on the rare occasion you might need it.
5. Use Almost Any Canon Lens You Want
Well, perhaps not every lens you want, because RF lenses can’t be used on the Canon EOS M50 Mark II. But if you have an EF, EFs, TS-E, or MP-E lens, just get the EF-M adapter and you can use it without problems.
With an adapter, every Canon lens can be used, except RF lenses.
But it isn’t always necessary. Canon offers a nice range of lenses that are designed for the Canon EOS M system. These are small, compact, and easy to carry with you in a small camera bag. But if you want to use a Canon EF 500mm f/4L II IS USM on your Canon EOS M50 mark II, that won’t be a problem. It might just look a little funny.
6. It’s Relatively Cheap
Don’t buy a camera you can’t afford. It might be tempting to go for an expensive full frame mirrorless camera because everyone seems to have one. But if you don’t have the money, why don’t you take a step back and go for a cheaper solution that still has good quality?
It is small and relatively cheap, but the results are good.
For less than $700, you have a very capable camera with great image quality. You won’t break the bank and, although it isn’t full frame, you won’t notice this on most occasions.
I Can Recommend the Canon EOS M50 Mark II
When I used the first version of the Canon EOS M50 back in 2018, I was positively surprised by its performance and how much fun it was. I've experienced something similar while using this second version. It is the same camera in a lot of ways, but with many improvements made internally.
The Canon EOS M50 Mark II in the wild. It was a lot of fun using this small camera. Too bad I had to return it.
This time, I also made a video with the Canon EOS M50 Mark II. I would love to show it to you, but be warned the language is Dutch; I hope you don't mind. I recorded the footage in FHD 50p with the built-in microphone. It gives an idea of what this camera is capable of, even if you don't understand the Dutch language.
Bottom line, I love this small mirrorless crop camera. It produces great quality photos and good video quality. It is a small camera that has a lot of features to make it a very capable companion for your photography and video adventures.
What do you think about the Canon EOS M50 Mark II? Would you consider buying such a camera, or do you prefer some other similar type of camera from another brand? Please share your thoughts in the comments below and feel free to share what camera you find the ideal for both photography and vlogging.
Um...
Egads
I think that this mount is a dead end. You can't upgrade to RF with it. Unless Canon shows renewed commitment to this mount, I would recommend Fuji if you insist on APS-C or bite the bullet and buy a Z5 with the new compact primes. I predict this mount will be abandoned by Canon in a few years.
There are a lot of photographers who don't buy every new lens that comes available. They're content with the ones they have.
If you are keen on every new lens, you're probably not the one for such a camera
i think
I'm sorry Nando, but... I think this is not about having "every new lens".
It's about the EF-M mount that just appears to be dying out. No lenses beyond 200mm. No new lenses forthcoming from Canon is an indication that development appears to have stopped.
The M6ii was a new camera -- the M50ii isn't even a new camera really, my understanding is that it doesn't even have any new hardware compared to the M50 but just some improvements in firmware.
When will Canon release a really new camera in the M system? An M5ii with seriously improved sensor and functionality, for instance?
I'm sure a lot of people will be happy within the limits of the current M system, but it does appear to be a dead-end road right now and any upgrade to any other system will mean re-investment in all your lenses.
I've got 5 EF-M lenses gathering dust on a shelf because I outgrew the limits of my M5 and couldn't make an upgrade within the M mount system that was meaningful enough, and didn't see any sign from Canon that a camera in the M mount system would be released that might be interesting for me.
Which is a pity, because some of these lenses are actually really fantastic, and also really small and light.
This is a camera that is for people who don't need to buy every new lens. Why would you want to buy another one if you already own the ones you use? There are enough EF-M lenses available for this type of camera. It is not necessary to have more.
The biggest problem with these discussions is the point of view. If you look for a camera that you want to keep updating with the lastest lenses, this isn't the camera for you.
As I see it, the reason why you don't use your M5 and EF-M lenses anymore, is because you wanted or needed more than the M5 can offer. But not everyone needs that growth. There are a lot of photographers who are content with the system they have. They don't need more. So this camera is perfect for those photographers.
In my opinion, only if you already know that either you will never want to grow beyond that, or if you see this as a small second system next to your bigger camera system.
When you buy your first camera system, you don't always know in advance how far you will be growing in your photography and whether you will eventually hit the limits of that system, or not.
In my case, the limits I was hitting were not about the lenses because you can adapt EF lenses. I was more and more unhappy about the image quality the sensor delivered, and some of the ergonomics. Neither the M6ii nor the M50 / M50ii offered me the kind of upgrade that would substantially improve on either of these.
If I would have bought an entry level Nikon DSLR I would have more growth option that would have allowed me to keep using my lenses on newer bodies (even if it would have been a crop mode).
Same with an entry-leven Fuji or M43s, but yes as you said they are more expensive, even their entry-level systems.
So this lack of a growth-path makes it hard for me to agree with your recommendation, unless you already know in advance that you will never need to grow beyond it and will always be using both the system and it's lenses.
I understand your point.
I expect the people who will buy these kind of camera's, won't choose a lot of lenses. Just one or two, perhaps three. Not more.
The costs with three lenses will be around 1000 euro, something you will never accomplish with a lot of other options, like the entry level Nikon you mention.
Well... even if you throw away the camera and buy an upgrade, it is less expensive than the upgrade you will do when you switch from the entry level Nikon with similar entry level lenses to a more advanced model with matching lenses.
But I agree... it is not a Nikon Z6 II, or a Canon EOS R6, or a Sony A7 III... if you use those camera's for vlogging, you had a lot of cash to spend for a FHD video on YouTube, Facebook, or Instagram
Long time M5 user. Love this camera. But you have to know when to say when and know when and what to compromise.
First, this mount was dead in 2018. Called it then and it's held up. The mount was dead as far as Canon was concerned. Sony made sure it stayed buried.
Second, I shot with the M5 (and this applies to any post M5 models) and it is not keeping up with the modern cameras. As noted, the images radpidly falls apart at anything above 200 ISO. Way to easy to get unrecoverable blown highlights even with the latest superb software enhancements like LR denoise and Topaz tools. For quick travel shots.. maybe.. Ok i guess, but with smartphones..really?
I used it this weekend on a short nature walk and the keeper rate was zero. Spoiled now, sadly.
As far lenses.. egads I had a few. The limited Canon collection was too few and really not very good to be honest, even by then standards. Yes I made the M5 (and temporarily the M50 II) my daily driver for a couple of years but the lack of Canon love finally made me face reality that this was a dead system and better things with a future were availaible.
So no, let the M system rest in peace with glory and don't recommend a frustrating, dead system on others.
"We had joy, we had fun
We had seasons in the sun
But the wine and the song
Like the seasons have all gone..."
The weekly canon mirrorless article is early this week.
I am so excited to read the weekly "why i bought a canon dslr in 2021" article tomorrow
Good idea...
.
The trouble with these ‘reasons to buy’ articles is they never offer any reasons unique enough to the featured camera. Saying this camera has all the important features or has good image quality applies to so many other cameras too. Fujifilm, for example offer all the important features plus have excellent film simulations and can adapt so many other brand lenses, all with models to suit a range of budgets. All the reasons here could apply to other brand cameras too and camera brands that aren’t such a closed system.
The usual laudatory suckup article for Canon....Fstoppers seems to have a very special chummy relationship with the brand...
If the latest rumors of Canon releasing R mount cameras with APS-C sensors is true, then I don’t see the business case for Canon to continue to invest in the M series camera line. That will be a serious consideration for anyone considering investing in this mount. I suggest waiting, or if you are new to photography, consider a full frame mirrorless camera instead.
Or a mirrorless camera from Fuji, or the M43 system (Oly / Pana), which do have a future and a growth-path towards more pro bodies from the entry level bodies.
Those camera's are much more expensive.
I bought the original a few years ago and use it for most of my video needs (for the same reasons as this article)...it's a great "bang for the buck" piece of kit. I have the 15-45, 22, 28, and 32 native lenses to accompany the family. I don't see myself getting rid of this system anytime soon. A super pocket travel companion. It doesn't compare to my A7RII or my Leica gear, but I don't use it for the same purpose that I use those others. No complaints from this user! The Mk2 might be better, but the first version still gets the job done for even less $$$...got my vote!
"the EOS M50 won’t let you down with its five-axis IBIS"? It does not have IBIS.
The image quality is good -- at low ISO. Quickly degrades once you increase the ISO.
EVF -- meh. Not pleasant to use.
Flipout screen -- some love it, some hate it.
Lenses -- very small selection of native lenses from Canon. Some very nice primes from Sigma. But as soon as you want something not in the EF-M range, your size-advantage goes right out of the window.
There's no growth in the EF-M system beyond the M50ii / M6ii when you want a better sensor or more capable camera and... I don't know if Canon is planning to release any new lenses or cameras in the EF-M system any time soon?
Which would mean that you'll be left with a dying system, and lenses for that system which you can't use on a more advanced body.