Product pictures by Richard Butler
The Canon EOS R50 is a compact mirrorless digicam designed to attraction to customers searching for one thing greater than a smartphone. It is based mostly round a 24 Megapixel APS-C sensor and Canon’s newest ‘RF’ lens mount.
Key options:
24.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor with second-generation Twin Pixel AF
Burst capturing at as much as 15fps in full e-shutter mode (12 in digital first curtain)
4K video as much as 30p with no crop
10-bit HDR video and HEIF pictures
2.36M dot OLED viewfinder
1.62M dot absolutely articulating touchscreen
Exterior mic enter
Shut-up and vertical video modes
Reside streaming and webcam functionality
The EOS R50 is Canon’s second-cheapest RF-mount digicam, sitting above the EOS R100 and beneath the EOS R10. The R50 is priced at $679.99, body-only. A package with the retractable RF-S 18-45mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM sells for round $799.99, and a two-lens package that provides a brand new 55-210mm F5.0-7.1 takes the MSRP as much as $1029.99.
Index:
What’s new
The EOS R50 is actually designed as an RF-mount equal of the EF-M-mount EOS M50: an easy-to-use interchangeable lens digicam that is sensible to hold round. It is a related measurement to the EOS M50, however along with utilizing Canon’s newer lens mount, it additionally brings a more recent sensor and processor, which collectively ship considerably extra superior autofocus capabilities.
Autofocus
The R50’s most compelling characteristic might be its autofocus system. It is a comparatively easy however very highly effective system that mixes a collection of topic recognition modes with tenacious monitoring. In lots of circumstances (significantly with folks), you’ll be able to decide the place you need the digicam to focus, and it will monitor whoever or no matter you pointed at.
Specifically, the R50 has been skilled to acknowledge folks (eyes, faces and heads), animals (particularly canines, cats, birds and horses) or automobiles (motorsport automobiles and bikes, trains and plane). There’s additionally an ‘Auto’ choice that may attempt to determine which of those topics are in entrance of the digicam.
We have discovered it to be very efficient, not less than in stills mode, and the interface makes it simple to take no matter degree of management you need over proceedings: you’ll be able to simply let the digicam decide a topic or place an AF level when you want to place the main focus your self.
The R50 additionally positive aspects an AF mode designed for vlogging, which prioritizes something near the digicam however in any other case makes use of face detection mode. That is expressly designed for vloggers filming themselves who wish to maintain an merchandise up and have the digicam rapidly refocus on it, then again to them when the merchandise is lowered, for instance, to showcase a product. This characteristic works as marketed, although you undoubtedly wish to use a gimbal or tripod, since picture stabilization is turned off.
Burst capturing
The R50 is surprisingly adept at burst capturing: it may seize clips at as much as 12 frames per second utilizing its digital/mechanical shutter mode or 15 frames per second in absolutely digital mode (with the danger of shifting topics showing distorted if there’s an excessive amount of lateral motion). It may solely seize roughly 7 Uncooked or 42 JPEG pictures in every burst, which is not wondrous.
Auto ISO
It is price noting that, in contrast to higher-end Canon cameras, there isn’t a solution to set a minimal shutter velocity when utilizing Auto ISO. You may choose the highest sensitivity, however that is it. For these of us with shaky arms or these nervous about topic movement, having the ability to choose a minimal shutter velocity of, say, 1/125 sec, would result in fewer throwaway photographs.
Mode information / Scene modes
The mode information is proven whenever you rotate the mode dial. It offers you a visible illustration of what the consequences of fixing settings do in the true world, however that is about it (you’ll be able to’t modify these issues with out going into Superior Auto mode described beneath).
When choosing a scene mode, you additionally see an instance picture of what the mode is designed to shoot. As soon as you have chosen a mode, you will discover instruments to regulate settings within the Q.Menu or when composing photographs. For self-portrait mode, you’ll be able to modify background blur, brightness, and easy pores and skin. For panning mode, the digicam illustrates how a lot of your topic will probably be blurred, although I had a tough time determining what the traces on the display screen represented.
A+ Superior Auto
The EOS R50 contains Inventive Help mode as a part of its beginner-friendly A+ auto mode. This makes use of a touchscreen interface to allow you to modify a lot of the digicam’s key parameters, expressed in phrases reminiscent of ‘Brightness’ and ‘Shade’ somewhat than technical terminology. It really works properly, although it might be good to have the ability to assign considered one of its capabilities to the command dial somewhat than having to delve into the touchscreen interface each time.
As well as, the R50 positive aspects an ‘Superior A+’ choice, that takes the extent of automation nonetheless additional. If Superior A+ spots a scene that is too darkish, too excessive in distinction, or one that may profit from higher depth-of-field, it would routinely shoot 4 photographs and mix them right into a single JPEG, to beat these challenges. We have seen modes like this in different cameras for years, although by no means one able to evaluating and selecting considered one of three multi-shot modes for various scene points.
Superior A+ mode produces JPEGs solely, in contrast to Inventive Help mode, which helps you to seize Uncooked pictures (helpful if you wish to modify them in-camera or on a pc, later),
Within the A+ modes the digicam seems to make use of the ‘AI Focus’ drive mode, which routinely chooses between single and steady AF. The upshot is that, when you or the digicam chooses to deal with an individual, as an illustration, it would refocus when you or they transfer earlier than you absolutely press the shutter.
Video and HDR PQ
The EOS R50 can seize 4K video at as much as 30 frames per second. This footage is created from all 6000 horizontal pixels of the sensor, so it must be very detailed. Using the complete width of the sensor additionally means it isn’t awkwardly cropped-in and also needs to give higher efficiency in low gentle.
When you have an HDR TV, the EOS R50 will allow you to shoot stills and movies that exploit these HDR capabilities to make photographs with shiny highlights look extra vibrant and extra life like, utilizing the ‘HDR PQ’ choice (The ‘HDR video’ choice is one thing totally different, confusingly).
As you may count on for a digicam at this degree, there is a mic socket however no solution to join headphones.
Lens choice
If you happen to’re searching for a big collection of RF-mount lenses designed for APS-C cameras just like the R50, we’ve got unhealthy information: there aren’t many. Actually, there are simply three. They embody the collapsable RF-S 18-45mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM used on this overview, a 55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM ($349), and a flexible 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM ($499).
You may definitely purchase Canon’s common RF-mount lenses, that are designed for its full-frame our bodies, however they will not be low cost. Since Canon retains its lens mount design personal, third get together lenses aren’t more likely to come anytime quickly (although Sigma will reportedly launch full-frame lenses later this 12 months). You can too add an adapter to mount older EF and EF-S lenses for DSLRs, however these can get fairly unwieldy fairly rapidly: undermining the purpose of shopping for a smaller physique.
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The way it compares
The EOS R50 is the primary new digicam within the entry-level / underneath $800 ILC class that we have seen for a while, which implies it instantly feels much more fashionable than lots of its rivals, each by way of autofocus and video.
Not included on this desk is its stablemate, the EOS R10, which is $300 costlier and provides options reminiscent of twin management dials, 4K/60 seize and sooner UHS-II card slots. The costlier mannequin additionally features a full mechanical shutter, able to 15fps seize, although nonetheless lacks a contemporary USB 3.X interface.
What the desk cannot actually seize is simply how efficient the R50’s autofocus is. Solely the Sony a6100 comes shut, although its topic recognition capabilities solely lengthen so far as human faces and eyes. The identical cannot be stated for the a lot older, cheaper a6000, which actually exhibits its age on this firm.
The OM-D E-M10 IV lags considerably by way of AF and is not as easy a digicam to make use of – although it offers you extra digicam and a lens system to develop into – but it surely does provide in-body picture stabilization, which all of the others lack at this worth.
Whereas a whole lot of {dollars} extra, the Nikon Z50 is price contemplating. Its weather-sealed physique is far more rugged, and its EVF is bigger than most of its friends. Nonetheless, its autofocus system is not as sturdy because the R50’s. There is not any 10-bit choice when capturing 4K video, however, in contrast to the Canon, there’s now a selection of third-party lenses from firms together with Sigma.
Whereas not within the comparability desk, the EOS R100 deserves a point out. It is Canon’s entry-level RF-mount digicam, with an MSRP of simply $479 (physique solely). Whereas it appears loads just like the R50, it has an older processor, slower burst mode, mounted LCD, important 4K crop, and no USB charging: we predict it is price spending the additional.
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Physique and dealing with
The EOS R50 is surprisingly small, regardless of that huge RF lens mount on the entrance. The grip is fairly small (I discovered myself wrapping my fingers throughout it at a 45-degree angle somewhat than making an attempt to understand it straight-on) however adequate for a way small and light-weight the digicam is, particularly with compact lenses. The R50 does really feel a bit too plasticky, however asking for a rugged weather-sealed physique on a $679 digicam physique may asking an excessive amount of.
There’s a dial on the highest of the digicam when you want to use the digicam within the extra hands-on P, A, S or M modes, but it surely’s somewhat under-utilized. It is because the digicam has a really touchscreen-focused consumer interface.
Like earlier Canons, the R50 will current a display screen explaining the mode you have simply chosen or the characteristic you have simply engaged that will help you perceive when it is relevant. These rationalization splash screens may be turned off when you desire or when you’re acquainted with the digicam.
The Inventive Help mode, which gives a collection of icons representing choices reminiscent of brightness or coloration, is fairly easy, however whereas the command dial can be utilized to regulate the settings, it is solely lively whilst you’re within the modify settings screens. When you’re capturing, the command dial does nothing, which seems like a waste since your finger will seemingly be resting on it.
The viewfinder is a comparatively modest 2.36M dot OLED show with a somewhat low 0.59x magnification degree (which implies it seems fairly small). The pattern we used appeared very susceptible to the diopter adjuster getting knocked, so if the viewfinder appears smooth, it is price checking the little slider instantly underneath the viewfinder.
The absolutely articulating rear touchscreen is a pleasant contact. The R50 has a mic enter socket however nowhere to connect headphones, which barely undermines its vlogging attraction.
Whereas the digicam does have a USB-C socket for connecting to a pc or pill and charging (see beneath), switch speeds are sluggish (480Mbps tops). These are USB 2.0 speeds: most fashionable cameras provide not less than ten instances this.
Battery
The EOS R50 makes use of the identical LP-E17 battery as Canon’s different small ILCs. It is a 7.5Wh battery, which is not loads to energy a mirrorless digicam. It’s going to do properly for snapping occasional photographs as you go about your day, however when you dedicate any size of time to photographs or video, there’s an opportunity you will immediately be confronted with a flashing purple battery warning (it has been a very long time since I’ve encountered the ‘full… full… full… LOW BATTERY!’ expertise of a small digicam with no cost share indications).
In customary (‘Clean’) mode, the digicam is rated to ship a good 370 photographs per cost when you use the LCD however simply 230 photographs by means of the viewfinder. As ordinary, these CIPA-standard figures can are inclined to considerably underestimate what number of photographs you are more likely to get, sometimes by round an element of two, relying in your capturing fashion. Power saver mode boosts the numbers to 440 and 310 photographs, respectively.
Fortunately, the R50 may be charged utilizing a USB PD (energy supply) charger, so it is simple sufficient to maintain topped up in case you are dropping again to a automotive or resort room or have a contemporary energy financial institution with you. (USB sockets in resorts and automobiles won’t cost it.)
Alongside the battery within the base of the digicam is a single SD card slot. Consistent with the digicam’s comparatively modest ambitions, it is the older, slower UHS-I kind.
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Autofocus
Whereas the autofocus settings may be complicated, as soon as they’re to your liking, the R50 performs exceptionally properly. Utilizing a single focus level, the Servo AF perform will seize onto what you have pointed the digicam at and dutifully monitor it across the body. It did a strong job detecting faces and eyes, each human and animal – even after they weren’t staring on the digicam. The animal detection was particularly spectacular: it locked onto the eyes of tigers, birds, penguins, and, after all, cats.
You can too monitor topics in ‘Complete Space AF,’ however you will want to show it on first. Probably the most smart method is by way of the AF tab within the menu, however it may be accomplished within the fast menu as properly, as proven above.
You place the main focus level utilizing the touchscreen or by urgent the main focus level button on the rear of the digicam and utilizing the directional controller (sadly, there isn’t any room for a joystick on the R50). When capturing with the viewfinder, a ‘Touchpad AF’ characteristic helps you to transfer the main focus level utilizing the touchscreen.
We discovered the R50’s steady autofocus to work very properly. It was capable of preserve topics – human and in any other case – in focus as they moved or had been briefly blocked by different topics. The EOS R50 additionally did properly with topics shifting in a fashion that was tough to foretell. In different phrases, its AF is fairly foolproof.
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Picture high quality
Our take a look at scene is designed to simulate a wide range of textures, colours and element varieties you will encounter in the true world. It additionally has two illumination modes, full even gentle and low directional gentle, to see the impact of various lighting circumstances.
With our take a look at scene at the moment unavailable, we’ve not been capable of shoot our customary take a look at pictures with the EOS R50 but. This evaluation relies on our real-world utilization and the studio outcomes of the EOS R10 that makes use of the identical sensor and processor. We are going to take a look at the EOS R50 and double-check our evaluation as quickly as doable.
Whereas the textual content is not, maybe, fairly as sharp because the Sony a6100 and Nikon Z50, there’s not a lot to decide on between them. You’ll encounter some moiré, but it surely’s fairly gentle. As you’d count on, there’s little or no seen noise at base ISO. The R50 could also be barely noisier than its friends in decrease gentle, however not by a lot. If you happen to actually end up in restricted gentle and have to extend the ISO, you will be welcomed by fairly a little bit of luminance and chroma noise.
In JPEG mode, the default sharpening is a little bit blunt and heavy-handed,, that is fairly typical for this class. It is exhausting to not just like the daring, saturated coloration within the R50’s JPEGs. At low ISOs, the digicam goes simple on the noise discount, leaving loads of element. At center sensitivities, nice element begins getting eaten up, and it goes downhill at increased ISOs, smudging away a little bit extra element than its APS-C friends.
Under is a real-world instance of element smudging in an ISO 6400 JPEG in comparison with a transformed Uncooked with very conservative handbook noise discount adjustment. The element is there: you simply should get it again.
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Video
As talked about on the prime of the overview, the EOS R50 captures 4K/30p video utilizing the complete width of the sensor, which implies no crop and nice high quality (typically). One thing to be careful for is distortion brought on by “rolling shutter,” which is straightforward to see when panning the digicam. (It is also a problem when capturing extremely high-speed bursts with the digital shutter).
It is price stating that there’s a slight crop (roughly 1.1x) when utilizing Film Digital IS and a extra substantial crop whenever you activate ‘Enhanced IS.’
You may choose from numerous video capturing modes when the principle dial is ready to that place. They embody auto publicity, handbook publicity, close-up demo, film IS (1080p with a big crop), HDR film, and customized settings. There are additionally high-speed (as much as 1080/120p) and time-lapse modes. The R50 may also shoot vertical video for the TikTok crowd.
It is necessary to notice that the HDR film mode you’ll be able to choose right here is just not the identical issues because the digicam’s HDR PQ mode to be used on HDR TVs. The decision is decrease (1080/30p), and the outcomes aren’t practically as spectacular because the digicam’s 10-bit HDR PQ mode (to say the least.) Basically the HDR film simply reduces the chance of skies showing as plain white and will increase the danger of the distinction wanting a little bit bizarre.
It’s doable for the digicam to overheat when capturing 4K video for lengthy intervals of time, which is why the R50 shows a thermometer on its show. If the digicam will get too sizzling, you will should take a break whereas issues settle down.
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Conclusion
The Canon EOS R50 is a really succesful mirrorless digicam, particularly whenever you take its $799 (with lens) worth into consideration. It delivers in practically all areas, most significantly photograph high quality and autofocus. Full-width 4K video with 10-bit HDR are huge pluses, as properly. The R50 is just not with out its flaws, nonetheless. Its controls are tight, the package lens so-so, and 4K video suffers from noticeable rolling shutter.
Whereas the R50 is straightforward to carry, with a surprisingly giant grip, its rear controls are very tight, which led to many unintentional button presses in our expertise. The EVF is on the small facet, however there’s simply no room for a bigger one.
One of many main points with Canon’s APS-C RF-mount cameras in the meanwhile is a scarcity of obtainable lenses. As of September 2023, there have been simply three, and since Canon doesn’t publish roadmaps, what comes subsequent is unclear. Within the meantime, you need to use full-frame RF lenses, however they’re dear, or adapt EF lenses, which might find yourself being cumbersome.
The Twin Pixel AF system caught to shifting topics, even after they had been obscured. Topic detection labored very properly with folks and exceeded expectations when it was capable of lock onto the attention of most animals encountered at a close-by zoo.
Photograph high quality is excellent, although the smooth package lens would not present the R50 at its finest. We have lengthy been a fan of Canon’s saturated coloration, and that hasn’t modified on the EOS R50. Superb particulars in JPEGs taken at excessive sensitivities (ISO 3200 and above) are sometimes smudged, although handbook noise discount tweaking of Uncooked recordsdata will produce higher outcomes.
As for video, the R50 makes use of the complete width of its 24MP sensor to seize 4K/30p footage with no crop, and it appears nice. Autofocus is as simple to make use of as in stills however we have seen cases the place focus can drift off your topic to the background, so it isn’t fairly as dependable.
The digicam can seize 10-bit HDR PQ footage which saves extra spotlight element. (You will have to hook as much as an HDR show to be able to see it.) One thing to be careful for on the R50 is rolling shutter; it is fairly important whenever you pan the digicam (see the instance earlier within the overview for an illustration).
In conclusion, the Canon EOS R50 presents a whole lot of bang for the buck, although the RF-S system has a solution to go in the case of lens choice. It is one of the crucial transportable mirrorless our bodies on the market, although it comes at the price of tight controls and a small viewfinder. It is not suited to each state of affairs, reminiscent of panning to comply with quick motion in stills/video, however as a ‘day by day driver,’ the EOS R50 is a digicam we are able to get behind. It is price seeing whether or not the lenses you need can be found, when you’re searching for a digicam to develop into, although.
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Scoring
Scoring is relative solely to the opposite cameras in the identical class. Click on right here to study what these numbers imply.
In comparison with its friends
The EOS R50’s has two shut friends, the primary being the Nikon Z50, which sells for a similar worth when you walked right into a digicam retailer right now. Whereas the Z50 has a better construct high quality, the R50 is the higher digicam in virtually all respects. Arguably the Z50’s largest weak level is the much less dependable AF in video and its lack of 10-bit seize for HDR or Log recording. Not like Canon, Nikon has allowed Sigma to introduce some useful prime lenses for its Z-mount.
Regardless of being a number of years older, the Sony a6100 retains tempo with the R50 in lots of areas. Each have glorious autofocus techniques and oversampled 4K video, although will equally unhealthy rolling shutter. The a6100’s battery life is the very best in its class, and the collection of E-mount lenses blows the R50 (and the Nikon, for that matter) away. Its low-res EVF and LCD do knock it down a notch, nonetheless.
The OM System E-M10 Mark IV is to not be forgotten. It has a lot of bodily controls, in-body picture stabilization, uncropped 4K video, and an enormous lens assortment. Its smaller sensor cannot fairly sustain with its APS-C friends, however this enables smaller lens/digicam mixtures. Its autofocus system is not as sturdy. but it surely’s definitely no slouch.
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Pattern galleries
Please don’t reproduce any of those pictures on an internet site or any publication/journal with out prior permission (see our copyright web page). We make the originals out there for personal customers to obtain to their very own machines for private examination or printing (at the side of this overview); we achieve this in good religion, so please do not abuse it.
Evaluate pattern gallery
Preliminary pattern gallery
The RF-S 55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM lens used for this gallery was pre-production.
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