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Canon EOS R50 Review

If you’re a smartphone creator looking to take the first step into content creation with an interchangeable lens camera, the Canon EOS R50 could be just what you need. Despite being the smallest Canon EOS R mirrorless camera available, it packs a high-quality 24.2 megapixel APS-C sensor, which is paired with Canon’s DIGIC X processor, for impressive performance.

Our Canon EOS R50 review has everything you need to know, including key R50 specifications, sample photos and our own video review, so you can decide whether this small but mighty mirrorless camera is perfect for your needs.

Canon has been especially busy, as the R50 arrived together with a new APS-C format RF-S 55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM Lens and the R8 full-frame camera, which we review here. At launch you can buy the EOS R50 body-only in Black, as well as two lens kit options, including a unique R50 Camera in White with RF-S 18-45mm Lens or the standard coloured EOS R50 Camera Black with RF-S 18-45mm Lens Kit. Whichever appeals to you, our review highlights the best features aimed at creating amazing content from the smallest EOS R camera you can buy today.

Canon EOS R50 key specifications

Not to be confused with the Mini Cooper R50, yet packing equally advanced tech into a compact size, the Canon EOS R50 is made for creators who are ready to upgrade from a smartphone or compact camera. It provides significantly better image quality, powerful autofocus and a wide selection of Canon mirrorless lenses to help create impressive content for your audience, with key camera features including:

• 24.2 megapixel APS-C sensor
• DIGIC X processor with Dual Pixel CMOS AF II
• Compact grip and simple button layout
• 3-inch vari-angle screen, perfect for selfies and vlogging
• Subject recognition for people, animals and vehicles
• Up to 15fps burst in electronic shutter
• 4K/30p video, slow motion Full HD up to 120fps
• Vertical orientation for instant social media
• Multifunction shoe
• Plug and play live-streaming
• Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity

Canon EOS R50 with Canon RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens @18mm. Camera settings: 1/320 sec. f/4.5. ISO 100

Canon R50 launch date

Canon is busy expanding their mirrorless EOS R line-up, with the R50 arriving 08 February 2023, alongside the full-frame R8 and two new mirrorless RF lenses. This means there is a camera available for every level of photographer, videographer and hybrid shooter, with the R50 serving as foundation to the range.

Canon EOS R50 with Canon RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens @45mm. Camera settings: 1/5 sec. f/6.3. ISO 1600

How much is the Canon R50?

The Canon EOS R50 costs £789.99, which is priced to appeal to newcomers to the system. It’s also perfect for those who want a portable second camera for B-roll or alternate angles, whilst still offering the ability to switch lenses and add useful Canon accessories.

Most notable features for content creators

The EOS R50 includes a series of features designed for content creators to capture better quality stills and video than they can with a smartphone. These include:

1. A vari-angle screen, which is easy to articulate for difficult angles and selfie-style content
2. Vertical orientation with aspect markers to ensure your content fits perfectly
3. UVC for plug and play streaming with a computer
4. Scene modes including creative bracketing for different styles
5. Dual Pixel CMOS AF II recognises and tracks the Eye, faces as well as animals and vehicles
6. Up to 15fps burst shooting in electronic shutter for fast-moving subjects
7. Panorama mode for compelling ultra-wide scenes

Many of these features are shared with the more expensive Canon R10, which also features the same APS-C sensor and DIGIC X processor combination.

Canon R50 Vs R10 Specs comparison

In order for you to learn how this powerful compact full-frame camera can work for you, we’ve included a specs comparison table, which compares the new R8 with the RP and R6 II.

This shows just how competent the R50 is, borrowing many of the R10’s features without the higher price tag. The R10 does record 4K/60p, burst at slightly faster frame rates and includes some other more advanced options, but these are not required by everyone just starting out. You even get slightly better battery life with the R50!

Camera handling

Although it won’t quite fit in your pocket, the R50 is just about the smallest interchangeable lens camera you can buy. Despite the portable size, it boasts a refined compact grip and simple button layout, which ensures you can make the leap from a phone, without having tons of new buttons to figure out.

The body does include an extremely useful 3-inch flip-out (vari-angle) LCD screen, which is perfect for vlogging and selfies, along with a red video record button and mode dial on the top plate. An ISO button is found near the shutter release, as well as Canon’s effective multi-function shoe, which has trickled down from professional models such as the R3 and R5. If you’re used to photographing and filming with a phone, you’ll be surprised at just how comfortable the R50 is, with plenty to hold on to, without being cumbersome or slowing down your spontaneous creativity.

R50 connectivity and accessories

With a hybrid camera you often rely on adding photo and video accessories, in order to draw out the best quality from your content, as well as being able to shoot and share content with ease. Thankfully, the Canon R50 delivers, with brilliant connectivity options including:

• Micro HDMI port for external monitors
• 3.5mm Jack for a microphone
• WiFi and Bluetooth
• UVC live streaming (with a computer) to the biggest sites, including FB live and YouTube

The addition of a multi-function shoe opens up a range of cable and often battery-free accessories, such as the Stereo Microphone DM-E100 and the AD-E1 Multi-function Shoe Adapter which converts Speedlites to the MF shoe interface.

Canon EOS R50 with Canon RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens @31mm. Camera settings: 1/400 sec. f/5.6. ISO 100

The advantage of APS-C

Because the EOS R50 is built around an APS-C sensor, lenses offer 1.6x greater reach than equivalent full-frame focal lengths. This effectively means you are closer to your subject, which results in frame-filling shots that will grip your audience.

Which content can the R50 create?

The Canon R50 is a well-featured hybrid camera for beginners and enthusiasts, with the same sensor and processor as the R10 (reviewed here). These allow you to capture beautiful 24.2MP stills and record up to 4K/30p video, however, despite being beginner-friendly, the R50 adds more advanced features to progress your skills and create amazing content. These include Vertical orientation with aspect markers, Panorama mode and scene modes with creative bracketing. If you can imagine it, you’ll be able to create it, even while learning new tricks and adding skills as you go. It’s also a great camera for vlogging, tutorials and other social media content, especially with the EOS R50 with RF-S 18-45mm Creator Kit available, which includes a zoom lens, Tripod Grip HG-100TBR and Microphone DM-E100.

RF and RF-S mirrorless lenses

Canon is committed to adding affordable RF lenses, including the Canon RF-S 55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM, which launched at the same time as the R50. You can also use any number of affordable EF mount DSLR lenses with a cost-effective converter, which ensures you’ll always have the perfect optics to capture your story with. What’s more, full-frame RF lenses can be mounted on any crop sensor camera, which means you have some of the finest lenses available at your disposal.

Canon EOS R50 Review | Is This the BEST 'First' Camera?

Watch our video review where Gareth explores this compact marvel's features.

Canon RF-S 55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM Zoom Lens Review

Whether you want to shoot street photography, travel vlogs or live stream gaming, the R50 is sufficiently powerful and light enough to bring on all your adventures. It combines the right balance of portability and capabilities to seriously improve on phone-only content, which will not only wow your audience, but have them coming back for more.

Choose between the Canon R50 body (black), or a versatile lens kit with the R50 Camera in White with RF-S 18-45mm Lens or the R50 Camera Black with RF-S 18-45mm Lens and take your content to the next level.

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By Nick Dautlich on 08/02/2023