When Canon launched the EOS EF-M mount in 2012 as a derivative of the EF lens mount, they debuted it with the EOS M interchangeable lens camera. But 2016 changed that with the EOS M5.
Not only did it look like a diminutive DSLR, but theEOS M5 handled very well and was a platform to show that Canon had something no other camera brand had: highly functioning full-touchscreen autofocus. What Canon had revealed with the M5 was that it had a foot in the door with mirrorless and the M5 was the first real mirrorless contender.
Fast forward two years to today and Canon has announced the EOS M50, which is akin to a baby M5, but even more powerful in many ways, and perhaps more flexible. The EOS M50 is new and upgraded from the inside out.
First and foremost, the M50 is blessed with Canon’s latest processor, the DIGIC 8, and it assists the M50 in achieving an impressive 10 frames per second (can also shoot in silent mode), which is even more than you’d get the bigger M5 brother. Canon also has leveraged this to better performance of their Dual Pixel CMOS AF, which translates into even better Touch & Drag autofocus functionality using the rear screen — a key ability and arguably something Canon does better than anyone else at this time — and now features Eye-Detection AF.
The new sensor, being the heart of the system, brings more new functionality as well. Along with the improved autofocus performance and speed, the DIGIC 8 enables you to shoot 4K UHD 24p and comes with an improved Auto Lighting Optimizer. The lighting optimizer analyzes the image and helps minimize blown-out areas by maintaining color and detail in the bright parts of a photo. Canon notes that when set to “High,” it has the ability to smooth out transitions between colors, and this all makes sense considering the EOS M50 also supports Canon’s proprietary 14-bit raw format, CR3.
Canon has also added 4K video capability to the M50, which can record in 4K at 24 frames per second, the preferred rate for videos with a cinematic look, but of course, in this day of slo-mo fans, shooting at 120p in HD is also possible.
Unlike earlier models in the EOS M lineup, such as the original M, M2, and even the M6, the M50 comes with a built-in electronic viewfinder and a high-resolution one at that. At 2,360,000 dots, the M50’s Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) technology is high contrast and the EVF works in tandem, like the M5 and Canon 5D Mark IV, with the camera’s touch and drag function, making easy work of selecting focus points without having to remove the camera from your face or toggle a joystick.
If you don’t, however, want to use the EVF, the high-resolution touchscreen LCD is there, and it has a fully flexible and tilting range that enables shooting from various angles, high or low, and also can be flipped around to be front facing, perfect for selfies and vloggers.
Canon’s M50 is an offering that’s clearly aimed at maximum flexibility and part and parcel to that would be social integration by way of WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, and the M50 has both and NFC. An M50 user will be able to easily transfer images directly to iOS and Android phones with the corresponding app and even transfer while shooting. The same connectivity options allow for remote control of the M50 also using the phone apps, perfect for self-portraits and more.
Canon’s small M50 is very easy and intuitive to use and certainly shows Canon continues to develop their mirrorless options with a sense of practicality. Casual shooters, those looking to take a step up from their smartphones, and those who want a small travel camera will no doubt find much of what they’re looking for with the new EOS M50.
Features at a Glance:
- Improved Dual Pixel CMOS AF and Eye Detection AF
- 24.1 Megapixel (APS-C) CMOS Sensor with ISO 100–25600 (H: 51200)
- 24p UHD 4K and 120p HD for slow motion
- Built-in OLED EVF with Touch and Drag AF
- Vari-angle Touchscreen LCD
- Built-in Wi-Fi®, NFC and Bluetooth® Technology
- Automatic image transfer to compatible devices while shooting†
- New DIGIC 8 Image Processor with Improved Auto Lighting Optimizer.
- Silent Mode for Quiet Operation.
The Canon EOS M50 Camera is available for preorder on February 25th for $779.00 and will ship on March 26th from Adorama.
