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Canon M50 vs 800D

The Canon EOS M50 and the Canon EOS 800D (labelled Canon T7i in some countries) are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in February 2018 and February 2017. The M50 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the 800D is a DSLR. Both cameras are equipped with an APS-C sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 24 megapixels.

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

Headline Specifications
Canon M50
versus
Canon 800D
Canon M50   Canon 800D
Mirrorless system camera Digital single lens reflex
Canon EF-M mount lenses Canon EF mount lenses
24 MP – APS-C sensor 24 MP – APS-C sensor
4K/24p Video 1080/60p Video
ISO 100-25,600 (100 - 51,200) ISO 100-25,600 (100 - 51,200)
Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots) Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 1040k dots 3.0" LCD – 1040k dots
Swivel touchscreen Swivel touchscreen
10 shutter flaps per second 6 shutter flaps per second
235 shots per battery charge600 shots per battery charge
116 x 88 x 59 mm, 390 g 131 x 100 x 76 mm, 532 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS M50 and the Canon EOS 800D? 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.

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Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Canon M50 and the Canon 800D are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The M50 can be obtained in two different colors (black, white), while the 800D is only available in black.

Size Canon M50 vs Canon 800D
Compare M50 versus 800D top
Comparison M50 or 800D rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon 800D is notably larger (28 percent) than the Canon M50. Moreover, the 800D is substantially heavier (36 percent) than the M50. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the M50 nor the 800D 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 M50 gets 235 shots out of its Canon LP-E12 battery, while the 800D can take 600 images on a single charge of its Canon LP-E17 power pack.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon M50 116 mm 88 mm 59 mm 390 g 235 n Feb 2018 779ebay.com
2.
 
Canon 800D 131 mm 100 mm 76 mm 532 g 600 n Feb 2017 749ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 850D 131 mm 103 mm 76 mm 515 g 800 n Feb 2020 749ebay.com
4.
 
Canon M50 Mark II 116 mm 88 mm 59 mm 387 g 305 n Oct 2020 599ebay.com
5.
 
Canon SL3 122 mm 93 mm 70 mm 449 g 1070 n Apr 2019 599 amazon.com
6.
 
Canon M6 Mark II 120 mm 70 mm 49 mm 408 g 305 n Aug 2019 849ebay.com
7.
 
Canon T7 129 mm 101 mm 78 mm 475 g 500 n Feb 2018 449 amazon.com
8.
 
Canon 77D 131 mm 100 mm 76 mm 540 g 600 n Feb 2017 899ebay.com
9.
 
Canon 200D 122 mm 93 mm 70 mm 453 g 650 n Jun 2017 549ebay.com
10.
 
Canon M6 112 mm 68 mm 45 mm 390 g 295 n Feb 2017 779ebay.com
11.
 
Canon M100 108 mm 67 mm 35 mm 302 g 295 n Aug 2017 499ebay.com
12.
 
Canon SL2 122 mm 93 mm 70 mm 453 g 650 n Jun 2017 549ebay.com
13.
 
Canon T7i 131 mm 100 mm 76 mm 532 g 600 n Feb 2017 749ebay.com
14.
 
Canon M5 116 mm 89 mm 61 mm 427 g 295 n Sep 2016 979ebay.com
15.
 
Canon 750D 132 mm 101 mm 78 mm 555 g 440 n Feb 2015 749ebay.com
16.
 
Canon 760D 132 mm 101 mm 78 mm 565 g 440 n Feb 2015 649ebay.com
17.
 
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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Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The 800D was somewhat cheaper (by 4 percent) than the M50 at launch, but both cameras fall into the same price category. 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.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants 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. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 1.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

In terms of chip-set technology, the M50 uses a more advanced image processing engine (DIGIC 8) than the 800D (DIGIC 7), with benefits for noise reduction, color accuracy, and processing speed.

Canon M50 and Canon 800D sensor measures

The two cameras under review do not only share the same sensor size, but also offer an identical resolution of 24 megapixels. This similarity in sensor specs implies that both the M50 and the 800D have the same pixel density, as well as the same pixel size. It should, however, be noted that the M50 is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year) than the 800D, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time.

The Canon EOS M50 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 25600, which can be extended to ISO 100-51200. The Canon EOS 800D offers exactly the same ISO settings.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

M50 versus 800D MP

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 table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Canon M50 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/24p23.813.3168481
2.
 
Canon 800D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.713.1158680
3.
 
Canon 850D APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/24p24.013.5187383
4.
 
Canon M50 Mark II APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/24p24.013.6193983
5.
 
Canon SL3 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/25p23.913.4179182
6.
 
Canon M6 Mark II APS-C 32.3 6960 46404K/30p24.013.5184883
7.
 
Canon T7 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p23.813.3168481
8.
 
Canon 77D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.613.397178
9.
 
Canon 200D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.613.4104179
10.
 
Canon M6 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.412.6131778
11.
 
Canon M100 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.512.9127278
12.
 
Canon SL2 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.613.4104179
13.
 
Canon T7i APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.713.1158680
14.
 
Canon M5 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.412.4126277
15.
 
Canon 750D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.712.091971
16.
 
Canon 760D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.612.091570
17.
 
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 cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the M50 provides a higher video resolution than the 800D. It can shoot video footage at 4K/24p, while the 800D is limited to 1080/60p.

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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 800D 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 following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Canon M50, the Canon 800D, and comparable cameras.

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Core Features
# image 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 M502360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 10.0/s Y n
2.
 
Canon 800Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
3.
 
Canon 850Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 7.5/s Y n
4.
 
Canon M50 Mark II2360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 10.0/s Y n
5.
 
Canon SL3optical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
6.
 
Canon M6 Mark IIoptional n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 14.0/s Y n
7.
 
Canon T7optical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
8.
 
Canon 77Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
9.
 
Canon 200Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
10.
 
Canon M6optional n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 9.0/s Y n
11.
 
Canon M100none n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 6.1/s Y n
12.
 
Canon SL2optical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
13.
 
Canon T7ioptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
14.
 
Canon M52360 n3.2 / 1620 tilting Y 1/4000s 9.0/s Y n
15.
 
Canon 750Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
16.
 
Canon 760Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
17.
 
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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Both cameras have an articulated rear screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This feature will be particularly appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies.

The Canon M50 has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the M50 and the 800D write their files to SDXC cards. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s.

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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 M50 and Canon EOS 800D and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Canon M50Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
2.
 
Canon 800DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
3.
 
Canon 850DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0Y-Y
4.
 
Canon M50 Mark IIYstereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
5.
 
Canon SL3Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0Y-Y
6.
 
Canon M6 Mark IIYstereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
7.
 
Canon T7Ymono / mono--mini2.0YY-
8.
 
Canon 77DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
9.
 
Canon 200DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
10.
 
Canon M6Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
11.
 
Canon M100-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
12.
 
Canon SL2Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
13.
 
Canon T7iYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
14.
 
Canon M5Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
15.
 
Canon 750DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
16.
 
Canon 760DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
17.
 
Canon M3Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
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Both the M50 and the 800D have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The 800D was replaced by the Canon 850D, while the M50 was followed by the Canon M50 Mark II. Further information on the features and operation of the M50 and 800D can be found, respectively, in the Canon M50 Manual (free pdf) or the online Canon 800D Manual.

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Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is there a clear favorite between the Canon M50 and the Canon 800D? Which camera is better? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.


Reasons to prefer the Canon EOS M50:

  • Better jpgs: Has a more modern image processing engine (DIGIC 8 vs DIGIC 7).
  • Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/24p vs 1080/60p).
  • More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (10 vs 6 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
  • More compact: Is smaller (116x88mm vs 131x100mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
  • Less heavy: Is lighter (by 142g or 27 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
  • More legacy lens friendly: Can take a broad range of non-native lenses via adapters.
  • More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 1 year after the 800D).


Arguments in favor of the Canon EOS 800D:

  • Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (600 versus 235) out of a single battery charge.
  • Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in February 2017).

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the M50 is the clear winner of the match-up (9 : 4 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 wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

M50 09:04 800D

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon M50 and the Canon 800D place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera and Best DSLR Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the M50 and the 800D in practical situations. 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 where reviews by experts come in. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). 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.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon M50..+4/579/100..3.5/5 Feb 2018 779ebay.com
2.
 
Canon 800D4.5/5..3.5/580/1004.5/54/5 Feb 2017 749ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 850D4/5+3/580/1004/53.5/5 Feb 2020 749ebay.com
4.
 
Canon M50 Mark II4/5..4/5..4.5/53.5/5 Oct 2020 599ebay.com
5.
 
Canon SL34/5o4.5/579/1004/54/5 Apr 2019 599 amazon.com
6.
 
Canon M6 Mark II..+4.5/585/1004/54/5 Aug 2019 849ebay.com
7.
 
Canon T7..o3.5/5..3.5/53.5/5 Feb 2018 449 amazon.com
8.
 
Canon 77D4.5/5..4/582/1004.5/54/5 Feb 2017 899ebay.com
9.
 
Canon 200D4/5+ +4/578/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2017 549ebay.com
10.
 
Canon M6......80/1004/54/5 Feb 2017 779ebay.com
11.
 
Canon M1003/5+....4/53.5/5 Aug 2017 499ebay.com
12.
 
Canon SL24/5+ +4/578/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2017 549ebay.com
13.
 
Canon T7i4.5/5..3.5/580/1004.5/54/5 Feb 2017 749ebay.com
14.
 
Canon M54/5+4/582/1004/54/5 Sep 2016 979ebay.com
15.
 
Canon 750D5/5....75/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2015 749ebay.com
16.
 
Canon 760D5/5+..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2015 649ebay.com
17.
 
Canon M34/5o..75/1004.5/54/5 Feb 2015 679ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price 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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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just make your choice using the following search menu. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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    Specifications: Canon M50 vs Canon 800D

    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.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Canon M50 Canon 800D
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Canon EF-M mount lenses Canon EF mount lenses
    Launch Date February 2018 February 2017
    Launch Price USD 779 USD 749
    Sensor Specs Canon M50 Canon 800D
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 22.3 x 14.9 mm 22.3 x 14.9 mm
    Sensor Area 332.27 mm2 332.27 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 26.8 mm 26.8 mm
    Crop Factor 1.6x 1.6x
    Sensor Resolution 24 Megapixels 24 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 3.72 μm 3.72 μm
    Pixel Density 7.22 MP/cm2 7.22 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 4K/24p Video 1080/60p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 25,600 ISO 100 - 25,600 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 51,200 ISO 100 - 51,200 ISO
    Image Processor DIGIC 8 DIGIC 7
    Screen Specs Canon M50 Canon 800D
    Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 95%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.51x
    Viewfinder Resolution 2360k dots
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 1040k dots 1040k dots
    LCD Attachment Swivel screen Swivel screen
    Touch Input Touchscreen Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Canon M50 Canon 800D
    Focus System On-Sensor Phase-detect Phase-detect AF
    Manual Focusing AidFocus Peakingno Peaking Feature
    Continuous Shooting 10 shutter flaps/s 6 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy100 000 actuations100 000 actuations
    Time-Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer built-inno Intervalometer
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-I UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs Canon M50 Canon 800D
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port micro HDMI mini HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port External MIC port
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in Wifi built-in
    Near-Field Communication no NFC NFC built-in
    Bluetooth Support Bluetooth built-in Bluetooth built-in
    Body Specs Canon M50 Canon 800D
    Battery Type Canon LP-E12 Canon LP-E17
    Battery Life (CIPA)235 shots per charge600 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 116 x 88 x 59 mm
    (4.6 x 3.5 x 2.3 in)
    131 x 100 x 76 mm
    (5.2 x 3.9 x 3.0 in)
    Camera Weight 390 g (13.8 oz) 532 g (18.8 oz)
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