Canon EOS M50, reviewed by artsf

Fantastic review! I’m on the fence about buying this camera. I usually shoot video with my C200 but sometimes I need a small video camera for tight spots or for traveling light. This little guy sure does have a lot going for it!

Do you mind answering a few questions?
-How is the lag in the EVF?
-How silent can the shutter get? Quiet enough for use during vows at a wedding ceremony?
-can you turn off exposure compensation for use during flash photography?

Thanks again for the review!

Marm O. Set wrote in post #18636159
Fantastic review! I’m on the fence about buying this camera. I usually shoot video with my C200 but sometimes I need a small video camera for tight spots or for traveling light. This little guy sure does have a lot going for it!

Do you mind answering a few questions?
-How is the lag in the EVF?
-How silent can the shutter get? Quiet enough for use during vows at a wedding ceremony?
-can you turn off exposure compensation for use during flash photography?

Thanks again for the review!

I notice no lag in EVF at all, as I mentioned the best I’ve seen. My most recent point of reference is A7rii. M50’s EVF is much better because its exposure preview and colors are extremely accurate and match LCD 100% all at default settings. Touch&drag is in real time so if there was any lag I think I would have noticed it. At first, M50’s EVF seemed small compared to 5div’s OVF but after I got used to it I just don’t feel like going back to OVF - it produces worse results due to inability to preview exposure/scene rendering, color balance, etc. Not to mention using touch&drag with articulating screen is genius and feels so natural, who would want to use the stupid joystic with less than half the AF points all cluttered in the middle after this experience? The icing on the cake is the additional stabilization I get while shooting video via EVF.

Silent shutter is completely silent, you may hear aperture opening up for focusing if it’s not aready wide open, lens dependent. But it’s very limited, must turn dial to scene more ‘silent’ and you will have no control over A,S, ISO, WB. Basicaly you can just choose AF point or type. But it still records raw. Theoretically with MF lenses you may be able to gain control over aperture via manual ring.

As far as flash exposure, I see no difference at all from 5div, same exact functionality includinn flash exposure comp at your fingertips. AE/FE lock programmable button.

Thanks for the reply.

When I said exposure compensation I meant to say exposure simulation.
Flashes are a big part of my stills workflow. Exposure simulation makes the LCD look all dark because the flashes are not on when I'm composing the shot. I like turning exposure simulation off when I can so that I have a nice bright image to use for composing. Does the M50 do this? I downloaded the user manual and could not find it in there so I'm a little nervous that this feature was left off similar to the Rebel bodies.

thanks again
m-

Marm O. Set wrote in post #18636476
Thanks for the reply.

When I said exposure compensation I meant to say exposure simulation.
Flashes are a big part of my stills workflow. Exposure simulation makes the LCD look all dark because the flashes are not on when I'm composing the shot. I like turning exposure simulation off when I can so that I have a nice bright image to use for composing. Does the M50 do this? I downloaded the user manual and could not find it in there so I'm a little nervous that this feature was left off similar to the Rebel bodies.

thanks again
m-

I didn’t see any difference between M50 and 5div when using flash; it always uses wide open aperture for focus/servo. Same with the built-in flash; engaging it doesn’t affect liveview preview. Is that what you mean?

no.
I understand what you are saying but I didn't explain myself very well.

On a DSLRs Live View screen you can see what the shot's brightness will look like because exposure simulation is active by default (I think its default, not sure). So if you have your camera in manual and your lens is wide open at f/1.4 then the image looks one way. When you scroll your control dial and stop down to f/8 but leave the ISO and shutter where they were the screen will darken. This is exposure simulation. The screen is simulating approximately how dark the exposure will be; its only a simulation because the lens is not actually being stopped down to make the image darker, it is achieved in the camera's software. On the 80D, 7D, 5D, and 1D models you can turn this on/off. I was wondering if the M50 could turn this off as well. My Rebels cannot turn it off.

Most people disable/enable (depending on personal preferences) it during setup for flash photography but there might be other non-flash uses for it as well.

Marm O. Set wrote in post #18636676
no.
I understand what you are saying but I didn't explain myself very well.

On a DSLRs Live View screen you can see what the shot's brightness will look like because exposure simulation is active by default (I think its default, not sure). So if you have your camera in manual and your lens is wide open at f/1.4 then the image looks one way. When you scroll your control dial and stop down to f/8 but leave the ISO and shutter where they were the screen will darken. This is exposure simulation. The screen is simulating approximately how dark the exposure will be; its only a simulation because the lens is not actually being stopped down to make the image darker, it is achieved in the camera's software. On the 80D, 7D, 5D, and 1D models you can turn this on/off. I was wondering if the M50 could turn this off as well. My Rebels cannot turn it off.

Most people disable/enable (depending on personal preferences) it during setup for flash photography but there might be other non-flash uses for it as well.

This is from M50 manual:

ah, so it is in there and I missed it! Thanks.

I have been considering the M50 as an adjunct to my 7D2 and my 6D2. My big stumbling block is the dearth of M-mount lenses and the slow maximum apertures (the 22mm f/2 prime is the exception).

The longer lenses generally have an absolutely ridiculous maximum f/6.3 maximum aperture. I would be hard pressed to shoot what I would refer to as decent head and shoulders portraits with no longer lens having better better than an f/6.3 aperture.

Yes, I realize that I can use any of my present EF and EFS lenses with this camera and an adapter. However, those larger lenses negate the size advantage of the M-50. I have a 135mm f/2.8 SF lens which is of the size and weight that would make it a very decent M-mount lens - IF the non SF image quality was a bit better. However, 135mm is a TAD long for a 1.6x crop sensor camera...

A 50-100mm f/4 M-mount lens would increase the value of the M-50 system greatly; while a 100mm f/2.8 prime would make the M-50 a very interesting proposition for me.

I realize that this is an entry level camera but, with only lenses as the present selection offered, I simply don't think that I could credit this camera for any serious photography.

The Canon Rebel series of cameras are entry level and their kit lenses are along the lines of the M-mount lenses but, the Rebels are capable of wearing a far larger number of lenses than those supplied with the camera yet, these extra lenses would not change the size/weight of the package to any great degree.

When you look at the amazing plethora of lens choices that a photographer would have for the Panasonic and Olympus 4/3 systems, you only realize how badly Canon has dropped the ball with their M-50 collection. Really folks, those lenses are toyish or can I put it another way, they are "HOLGA-LIKE"

Been thinking about adding one of these to my kit. Love my big well built bodies but there are times I would love a pocketable mirrorless that I can slap an "L" lens on.

RPCrowe wrote in post #18670700
I have been considering the M50 as an adjunct to my 7D2 and my 6D2. My big stumbling block is the dearth of M-mount lenses and the slow maximum apertures (the 22mm f/2 prime is the exception).

The longer lenses generally have an absolutely ridiculous maximum f/6.3 maximum aperture. I would be hard pressed to shoot what I would refer to as decent head and shoulders portraits with no longer lens having better better than an f/6.3 aperture.

Yes, I realize that I can use any of my present EF and EFS lenses with this camera and an adapter. However, those larger lenses negate the size advantage of the M-50. I have a 135mm f/2.8 SF lens which is of the size and weight that would make it a very decent M-mount lens - IF the non SF image quality was a bit better. However, 135mm is a TAD long for a 1.6x crop sensor camera...

A 50-100mm f/4 M-mount lens would increase the value of the M-50 system greatly; while a 100mm f/2.8 prime would make the M-50 a very interesting proposition for me.

I realize that this is an entry level camera but, with only lenses as the present selection offered, I simply don't think that I could credit this camera for any serious photography.

The Canon Rebel series of cameras are entry level and their kit lenses are along the lines of the M-mount lenses but, the Rebels are capable of wearing a far larger number of lenses than those supplied with the camera yet, these extra lenses would not change the size/weight of the package to any great degree.

I do believe a EF-M 32 (approx 50mm equiv) f 1.4 is coming out shortly. At least according to the rumors. If this turns out to be true which I believe it is then at least it is showing dedication to that line.

RPCrowe wrote in post #18673398
When you look at the amazing plethora of lens choices that a photographer would have for the Panasonic and Olympus 4/3 systems, you only realize how badly Canon has dropped the ball with their M-50 collection. Really folks, those lenses are toyish or can I put it another way, they are "HOLGA-LIKE"

I disagree on the "dropped the ball" comment. I wish they moved faster on their EF-M lens lineup but the fact of the matter is both my wife and I love this little gem and it is a nice complement to my 5D Mark IV.