Canon 30D vs M50

The Canon EOS 30D and the Canon EOS M50 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in February 2006 and February 2018. The 30D is a DSLR, while the M50 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. Both cameras are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The 30D has a resolution of 8.2 megapixels, whereas the M50 provides 24 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Canon 30D		Canon M50
Digital single lens reflex		Mirrorless system camera
Canon EF mount lenses		Canon EF-M mount lenses
8.2 MP, APS-C Sensor		24 MP, APS-C Sensor
no Video		4K/24p Video
ISO 100-1,600 (100 - 3,200)		ISO 100-25,600 (100 - 51,200)
Optical viewfinder		Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)
2.5 LCD, 230k dots		3.0 LCD, 1040k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Swivel touchscreen
5 shutter flaps per second		10 shutter flaps per second
750 shots per battery charge		235 shots per battery charge
144 x 106 x 74 mm, 785 g		116 x 88 x 59 mm, 390 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS 30D and the Canon EOS M50? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Canon 30D and the Canon M50 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The M50 can be obtained in two different colors (black, white), while the 30D is only available in black.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon M50 is considerably smaller (33 percent) than the Canon 30D. Moreover, the M50 is substantially lighter (50 percent) than the 30D. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the 30D nor the M50 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

Concerning battery life, the 30D gets 750 shots out of its BP-511A battery, while the M50 can take 235 images on a single charge of its LP-E12 power pack.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, just use the right or left arrows in the table to switch to the respective camera. Alternatively, you can also navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from the full list of cameras there.

Body Specifications

	Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life 1	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch 2	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
	Canon 30D	144 mm	106 mm	74 mm	785 g	750	n	Feb 2006	1,399
	Canon M50	116 mm	88 mm	59 mm	390 g	235	n	Feb 2018	779
	Canon G5 X Mark II	111 mm	61 mm	46 mm	340 g	230	n	Jul 2019	899
	Canon M6 Mark II	120 mm	70 mm	49 mm	408 g	305	n	Aug 2019	849
	Canon 77D	131 mm	100 mm	76 mm	540 g	600	n	Feb 2017	899
	Canon M6	112 mm	68 mm	45 mm	390 g	295	n	Feb 2017	779
	Canon M3	111 mm	68 mm	44 mm	366 g	250	n	Feb 2015	679
	Canon 70D	139 mm	104 mm	79 mm	755 g	920	Y	Jul 2013	1,199
	Canon 60D	145 mm	106 mm	79 mm	755 g	1100	Y	Aug 2010	1,399
	Canon 7D	148 mm	111 mm	74 mm	860 g	800	Y	Sep 2009	1,699
	Canon 50D	146 mm	108 mm	74 mm	822 g	800	Y	Aug 2008	1,299
	Canon 40D	146 mm	108 mm	74 mm	822 g	750	n	Aug 2007	1,299
	Canon 400D	127 mm	84 mm	65 mm	556 g	370	n	Aug 2006	799
	Canon 350D	127 mm	94 mm	64 mm	540 g	400	n	Feb 2005	899
	Canon 20D	144 mm	106 mm	72 mm	770 g	700	n	Aug 2004	1,499
	Nikon D80	132 mm	103 mm	77 mm	668 g	600	n	Aug 2006	999
	Nikon D200	147 mm	113 mm	74 mm	920 g	400	Y	Nov 2005	1,699
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. (1) Number of images that can be taken on a full battery charge according to the CIPA-standard; (2) Official announcement.

Camera Model
Canon 30D
Canon M50
Canon G5 X Mark II
Canon M6 Mark II
Canon 77D
Canon M6
Canon M3
Canon 70D
Canon 60D
Canon 7D
Canon 50D
Canon 40D
Canon 400D
Canon 350D
Canon 20D
Nikon D80
Nikon D200

Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The M50 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 44 percent) than the 30D, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the M50 is 2 percent smaller. They nevertheless have the same format factor of 1.6. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Technology-wise, the M50 uses a more advanced image processing engine (DIGIC 8) than the 30D (DIGIC 2), with benefits for noise reduction, color accuracy, and processing speed.

Despite having a slightly smaller sensor, the M50 offers a higher resolution of 24 megapixels, compared with 8.2 MP of the 30D. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 3.72μm versus 6.42μm for the 30D). However, it should be noted that the M50 is much more recent (by 12 years) than the 30D, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently.

The resolution advantage of the Canon M50 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the M50 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 30 x 20 inches or 76.2 x 50.8 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 24 x 16 inches or 61 x 40.6 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20 x 13.3 inches or 50.8 x 33.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Canon 30D are 17.5 x 11.7 inches or 44.5 x 29.7 cm for good quality, 14 x 9.3 inches or 35.6 x 23.7 cm for very good quality, and 11.7 x 7.8 inches or 29.7 x 19.8 cm for excellent quality prints.

The M50 has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Canon EOS 30D has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 1600, which can be extended to ISO 100-3200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Canon EOS M50 are ISO 100 to ISO 25600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-51200.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

	Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
	Canon 30D	APS-C	8.2	3504	2336	none	21.5	10.8	736	59
	Canon M50	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/24p	..	..	..	..
	Canon G5 X Mark II	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
	Canon M6 Mark II	APS-C	32.3	6960	4640	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
	Canon 77D	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.6	13.3	971	78
	Canon M6	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
	Canon M3	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/30p	22.8	11.8	1169	72
	Canon 70D	APS-C	20.0	5472	3648	1080/30p	22.5	11.6	926	68
	Canon 60D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	22.2	11.5	813	66
	Canon 7D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	22.0	11.7	854	66
	Canon 50D	APS-C	15.1	4752	3168	none	21.8	11.4	696	63
	Canon 40D	APS-C	10.1	3888	2592	none	22.1	11.3	703	64
	Canon 400D	APS-C	10.1	3888	2592	none	22.1	11.0	664	62
	Canon 350D	APS-C	8.0	3456	2304	none	21.8	10.8	637	60
	Canon 20D	APS-C	8.2	3504	2336	none	21.9	11.0	721	62
	Nikon D80	APS-C	10.0	3872	2592	none	22.1	11.2	524	61
	Nikon D200	APS-C	10.0	3872	2592	none	22.3	11.5	583	64

Camera Model
Canon 30D
Canon M50
Canon G5 X Mark II
Canon M6 Mark II
Canon 77D
Canon M6
Canon M3
Canon 70D
Canon 60D
Canon 7D
Canon 50D
Canon 40D
Canon 400D
Canon 350D
Canon 20D
Nikon D80
Nikon D200

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The M50 indeed provides for movie recording, while the 30D does not. The highest resolution format that the M50 can use is 4K/24p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the M50 has an electronic viewfinder (2360k dots), while the 30D has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Canon 30D and Canon M50 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

Core Features

	Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Size (inch)	LCD Resolution (000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Mech Shutter Speed	Shutter Flaps (1/sec)	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
	Canon 30D	optical	Y	2.5	230	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0	Y	n
	Canon M50	2360	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	10.0	Y	n
	Canon G5 X Mark II	2360	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/2000s	30	Y	Y
	Canon M6 Mark II	optional	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	14.0	Y	n
	Canon 77D	optical	Y	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	6.0	Y	n
	Canon M6	optional	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	9.0	Y	n
	Canon M3	optional	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	4.2	Y	n
	Canon 70D	optical	Y	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/8000s	7.0	Y	n
	Canon 60D	optical	Y	3.0	1040	swivel	n	1/8000s	5.3	Y	n
	Canon 7D	optical	Y	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/8000s	8.0	Y	n
	Canon 50D	optical	Y	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/8000s	6.3	Y	n
	Canon 40D	optical	Y	3.0	230	fixed	n	1/8000s	6.5	Y	n
	Canon 400D	optical	n	2.5	230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
	Canon 350D	optical	n	1.8	115	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
	Canon 20D	optical	Y	1.8	118	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0	Y	n
	Nikon D80	optical	n	2.5	230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
	Nikon D200	optical	Y	2.5	230	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0	Y	n

Camera Model
Canon 30D
Canon M50
Canon G5 X Mark II
Canon M6 Mark II
Canon 77D
Canon M6
Canon M3
Canon 70D
Canon 60D
Canon 7D
Canon 50D
Canon 40D
Canon 400D
Canon 350D
Canon 20D
Nikon D80
Nikon D200

One feature that is present on the 30D, but is missing on the M50 is a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.

The 30D writes its imaging data to Compact Flash cards, while the M50 uses SDXC cards.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS 30D and Canon EOS M50 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

	Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Microphone	Internal Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
	Canon 30D	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon M50	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
	Canon G5 X Mark II	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
	Canon M6 Mark II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
	Canon 77D	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	Y
	Canon M6	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	Y
	Canon M3	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
	Canon 70D	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
	Canon 60D	Y	mono	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon 7D	Y	mono	-	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon 50D	Y	-	-	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon 40D	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon 400D	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon 350D	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon 20D	Y	-	-	-	-	-	1.1	-	-	-
	Nikon D80	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
	Nikon D200	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-

Camera Model
Canon 30D
Canon M50
Canon G5 X Mark II
Canon M6 Mark II
Canon 77D
Canon M6
Canon M3
Canon 70D
Canon 60D
Canon 7D
Canon 50D
Canon 40D
Canon 400D
Canon 350D
Canon 20D
Nikon D80
Nikon D200

It is notable that the M50 offers wifi support, which can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location. In contrast, the 30D does not provide wifi capability.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Canon 30D (unlike the M50) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

The M50 is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Canon. In contrast, the 30D has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on eBay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the 30D was succeeded by the Canon 40D. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Canon website.

Review summary

So how do things add up? Is there a clear favorite between the Canon 30D and the Canon M50? Which camera is better? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

Advantages of the Canon EOS 30D:

• Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
• Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (750 versus 235) on a single battery charge.
• Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in February 2006).

Reasons to prefer the Canon EOS M50:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (24 vs 8.2MP), which boosts linear resolution by 71%.
• Better jpgs: Has a more modern image processing engine (DIGIC 8 vs DIGIC 2).
• Broader imaging potential: Can capture not only stills but also 4K/24p video.
• Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
• More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.5") for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 230k dots).
• More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
• Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
• More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (10 vs 5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• More compact: Is smaller (116x88mm vs 144x106mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 395g or 50 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
• More legacy lens friendly: Can use many non-native lenses via adapters.
• Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
• Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
• Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (44 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Reflects 12 years of technical progress since the 30D launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the M50 is the clear winner of the contest (19 : 6 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon 30D and the Canon M50 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the 30D or the M50 perform in practice. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, and photographyblog). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Review Scores

	Camera Model	camera   labs	dp review	ephoto   zine	imaging resource	photography   blog	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
	Canon 30D	+ +	+ +	o	o	..	Feb 2006	1,399
	Canon M50	+	79/100	..	4/5	3.5/5	Feb 2018	779
	Canon G5 X Mark II	+	82/100	..	..	4/5	Jul 2019	899
	Canon M6 Mark II	+	85/100	4/5	..	4/5	Aug 2019	849
	Canon 77D	..	82/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2017	899
	Canon M6	..	80/100	4/5	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2017	779
	Canon M3	o	75/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2015	679
	Canon 70D	+ +	83/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	5/5	Jul 2013	1,199
	Canon 60D	+	79/100	4/5	5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2010	1,399
	Canon 7D	+ +	84/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2009	1,699
	Canon 50D	+ +	+ +	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2008	1,299
	Canon 40D	+ +	+ +	4.5/5	o	4.5/5	Aug 2007	1,299
	Canon 400D	+ +	+ +	o	4.5/5	4/5	Aug 2006	799
	Canon 350D	80/100	+ +	o	o	..	Feb 2005	899
	Canon 20D	..	+ +	..	o	..	Aug 2004	1,499
	Nikon D80	+	+ +	o	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2006	999
	Nikon D200	+ +	+ +	o	5/5	..	Nov 2005	1,699
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Camera Model
Canon 30D
Canon M50
Canon G5 X Mark II
Canon M6 Mark II
Canon 77D
Canon M6
Canon M3
Canon 70D
Canon 60D
Canon 7D
Canon 50D
Canon 40D
Canon 400D
Canon 350D
Canon 20D
Nikon D80
Nikon D200

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

Specifications: Canon 30D vs Canon M50

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

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