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Canon M50 Mark II Comparison Review

The Canon EOS M50 Mark II is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera that was revealed to the public in October 2020 and is equipped with an APS-C sensor. It offers a resolution of 24 megapixel.

camera

Is the Canon M50 Mark II a good camera? The M50 Mark II has a Camera Elo of 2723. This rating puts the M50 Mark II among the top 40 percent of all mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (APS cameras), the M50 Mark II ranks among the top 10 percent. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 4.5-star performance rating.

Headline Specifications
Canon M50 Mark II
Mirrorless system camera
Canon EF-M mount lenses
24 MP, APS-C Sensor
4K/24p Video
ISO 100 - 25 600 (100 - 51 200)
Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)
3.0 LCD, 1040k dots
Swivel touchscreen
10 shutter flaps per second
305 shots per battery charge
116 x 88 x 59 mm, 387 g

Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.

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Body comparison with a credit card

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size of the Canon M50 Mark II vis-à-vis a credit card. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Canon M50 Mark II vs credit card front
M50 Mark II versus credit card top view
M50 Mark II and credit card rear side

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Canon M50 Mark II alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
#   Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon M50 Mark II 116 mm 88 mm 59 mm 387 g 305 n Oct 2020 599 amazon.com
2.
 
Canon R50 116 mm 86 mm 69 mm 375 g 230 n Feb 2023 679 amazon.com
3.
 
Canon M200 108 mm 67 mm 35 mm 299 g 315 n Sep 2019 549 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon SL3 122 mm 93 mm 70 mm 449 g 1070 n Apr 2019 599 amazon.com
5.
 
Canon M6 Mark II 120 mm 70 mm 49 mm 408 g 305 n Aug 2019 849ebay.com
6.
 
Canon M50 116 mm 88 mm 59 mm 390 g 235 n Feb 2018 779ebay.com
7.
 
Canon M6 112 mm 68 mm 45 mm 390 g 295 n Feb 2017 779ebay.com
8.
 
Canon M100 108 mm 67 mm 35 mm 302 g 295 n Aug 2017 499ebay.com
9.
 
Canon SL2 122 mm 93 mm 70 mm 453 g 650 n Jun 2017 549ebay.com
10.
 
Canon M5 116 mm 89 mm 61 mm 427 g 295 n Sep 2016 979ebay.com
11.
 
Canon M3 111 mm 68 mm 44 mm 366 g 250 n Feb 2015 679ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Canon M50 Mark II was launched in the US market at a price of $599. 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.

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Check M50 Mark II price at
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Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide

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 tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

The Canon M50 Mark II features an APS-C sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 1.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Canon M50 Mark II among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability.

Canon M50 Mark II sensor measures

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for most cameras. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of alternatives.

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Sensor Characteristics
#   Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Canon M50 Mark II APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/24p24.013.6193983
2.
 
Canon R50 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/30p24.113.9216884
3.
 
Canon M200 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004k/25p24.013.5183682
4.
 
Canon SL3 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/25p23.913.4179182
5.
 
Canon M6 Mark II APS-C 32.3 6960 46404K/30p24.013.5184883
6.
 
Canon M50 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/24p23.813.3168481
7.
 
Canon M6 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.412.6131778
8.
 
Canon M100 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.512.9127278
9.
 
Canon SL2 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.613.4104179
10.
 
Canon M5 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.412.4126277
11.
 
Canon M3 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.811.8116972
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The M50 Mark II indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the M50 Mark II can use is 4K/24p.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The following tables report on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Canon M50 Mark II and comparable cameras.

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Core Features
#   Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Canon M50 Mark II2360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 10.0/s Y n
2.
 
Canon R502360 n3.0 / 1620 swivel Y 1/4000s 12.0/s Y n
3.
 
Canon M200none n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 6.1/s Y n
4.
 
Canon SL3optical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
5.
 
Canon M6 Mark IIoptional n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 14.0/s Y n
6.
 
Canon M502360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 10.0/s Y n
7.
 
Canon M6optional n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 9.0/s Y n
8.
 
Canon M100none n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 6.1/s Y n
9.
 
Canon SL2optical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
10.
 
Canon M52360 n3.2 / 1620 tilting Y 1/4000s 9.0/s Y n
11.
 
Canon M3optional n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 4.2/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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The LCD screen on the Canon EOS M50 Mark II is flexibly attached to the body. In particular, the LCD is hinged on the side and can be flipped out for odd-angle shots in both portrait and landscape orientation. Also, this fully articulated, swivel type of LCD attachment is often appreciated by videographers for its flexibility. Moreover, v-loggers like the design because the screen can be turned to be front-facing.

articulated screen
Flexible screen on the M50 Mark II

One convenient feature of the M50 Mark II is the presence of an on-board flash. While this built-in flash is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light to brighten deep shadow areas.

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Connection 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 M50 Mark II and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
#   Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Canon M50 Mark IIYstereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
2.
 
Canon R50Ystereo / monoY-micro3.2Y-Y
3.
 
Canon M200-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y-Y
4.
 
Canon SL3Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0Y-Y
5.
 
Canon M6 Mark IIYstereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
6.
 
Canon M50Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
7.
 
Canon M6Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
8.
 
Canon M100-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
9.
 
Canon SL2Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
10.
 
Canon M5Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
11.
 
Canon M3Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
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It is notable that the M50 Mark II has a microphone port. Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used.

Further information on the features and operation of the M50 Mark II can be found in the free online Canon M50 Mark II Manual or on the Canon support site.

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Expert reviews

While the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the M50 Mark II handle or perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate. This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall rankings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).

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Review Scores
#    Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon M50 Mark II4/5..4/5..4.5/53.5/5 Oct 2020 599 amazon.com
2.
 
Canon R504/5+ +..84/100..4.5/5 Feb 2023 679 amazon.com
3.
 
Canon M200..+3/579/1004/54/5 Sep 2019 549 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon SL34/5o4.5/579/1004/54/5 Apr 2019 599 amazon.com
5.
 
Canon M6 Mark II..+4.5/585/1004/54/5 Aug 2019 849ebay.com
6.
 
Canon M50..+4/579/100..3.5/5 Feb 2018 779ebay.com
7.
 
Canon M6......80/1004/54/5 Feb 2017 779ebay.com
8.
 
Canon M1003/5+....4/53.5/5 Aug 2017 499ebay.com
9.
 
Canon SL24/5+ +4/578/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2017 549ebay.com
10.
 
Canon M54/5+4/582/1004/54/5 Sep 2016 979ebay.com
11.
 
Canon M34/5o..75/1004.5/54/5 Feb 2015 679ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Canon M50 Mark II FAQ

Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the M50 Mark II.

What type of imaging sensor is used in the Canon M50 Mark II?

The camera is build around a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.

Which image processing chip is used in the Canon M50 Mark II to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?

Canon equipped the M50 Mark II with the DIGIC 8 image processor.

What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Canon M50 Mark II?

The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 25600.

Does the Canon M50 Mark II have a selfie-friendly screen?

Yes, the LCD-screen of the M50 Mark II is flexible and can be turned to be front-facing for capturing selfies.

What is the life expectancy of the shutter in the Canon EOS M50 Mark II?

Canon mentions a shutter rating of 100 000 actuations for the M50 Mark II. This number represents a Mean Time before Failure, that is an average value. The shutter might fail earlier, or it might last longer. Anyway, in order to exhaust the expected shutter life of the M50 Mark II over, say, three years, one would have to take about 100 pictures each and every day.

How do I find the shutter count on my Canon M50 Mark II?

Canon embeds the number of shutter actuations in the camera firmware. You can check the number of shots that your M50 Mark II has taken up to now by using a third-party app, as described on the Canon M50 Mark II shutter count page.

Is completely silent shooting possible with the Canon M50 Mark II?

The camera has an electronic shutter option, so that it is indeed feasible to capture images without any shutter noise.

Do I need to purchase an external camera trigger to shoot time-lapse sequences with the Canon M50 Mark II?

No, the Canon EOS M50 Mark II has an intervalometer built-in, so that low frequency shooting (for example, flower blooming, sunset, moon rise) can be undertaken without the need to purchase a separate external intervalometer and related software.

Is it difficult to use manual focus lenses with the Canon M50 Mark II?

The M50 Mark II offers focus peaking as a manual focus aid. This feature works by placing a colored highlight on in-focus zones within the image.

Does the Canon M50 Mark II feature an autofocus assist light?

Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.

What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with the Canon M50 Mark II for flash photography?

The M50 Mark II's flash sync speed is 1/200 sec.

Does the Canon M50 Mark II support the Ultra High Speed (UHS) bus interface for SD cards?

Yes, the camera can indeed use UHS-I cards (data transfer speed of up to 104 MB/s).

Which battery does the Canon M50 Mark II use?

The camera gets its power from the LP-E12 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.

Where can I find the best deals for the Canon M50 Mark II?

Grey imports from Asia, as found on ebay, are often very attractively priced. However, these cameras come without a warranty from Canon.

Camera to camera comparisons

In case you are interested in seeing how this camera compares to another one, just use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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    Specifications Summary
    Camera Model Canon M50 Mark II
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens Canon EF-M mount lenses
    Launch Date October 2020
    Launch Price USD 599
    Sensor Specs
    Sensor Technology CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 22.3 x 14.9 mm
    Sensor Area 332 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 26.8 mm
    Crop Factor 1.6x
    Sensor Resolution 24 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 6 000 x 4 000 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 3.72 μm
    Pixel Density 7.22 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 4K/24p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 25 600 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 51 200 ISO
    Image Processor DIGIC 8
    Screen Specs
    Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100%
    Viewfinder Resolution 2360k dots
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display
    LCD Framing Live View
    LCD Size 3.0 inch
    LCD Resolution 1040k dots
    LCD Attachment Swivel screen
    V-logging Friendliness Front-flip possible
    Touch Input Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs
    Focus System On-Sensor Phase-detect
    Manual Focusing AidFocus Peaking
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 10 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy100 000 actuations
    Silent ShootingElectronic Shutter
    Time Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer Built-in
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs
    External Flash Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0
    HDMI Port micro HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in
    Bluetooth Support Bluetooth built-in
    Body Specs
    Battery Type LP-E12 power pack
    Battery Life (CIPA)305 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 116 x 88 x 59 mm
    (4.6 x 3.5 x 2.3 in)
    Camera Weight 387 g (13.7 oz)

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