Review of the Canon EOS M50 mark II

Friday 11 June 2021, 14:14 by Nando Harmsen | 8,952 views | 3 comments

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

Do you enjoy vlogging? Or are you looking for a wonderfully compact mirrorless camera that does not cost a fortune? Then the new Canon EOS M50 mark II could be for you.

Canon Nederland sent me one to review. In this article, you can read about my findings.

First, I am going back in time a little. In 2018, Cameraland.nl gave me a Canon EOS M50 to try out and review.

I took this small (white) camera with me to the French Auvergne and was impressed by this little powerhouse. You can find that review on my website.

In France in 2018, with the white Canon EOS M50. I had a lot of fun with this camera and took many beautiful photos. Now there is the Canon EOS M50 mark II.
Three years later, there is a successor. The Canon EOS M50 mark II. At first glance, this mark II looks exactly like the same camera. And that is correct, complete with the same 24-megapixel sensor. The improvements can be found under the bonnet.

The new Canon EOS M50 mark II. This time, I received the black model.
The differences between the EOS M50 and the EOS M50 mark II:

Improved autofocus, including eye AF for photos and video
Support for vertical video
Touch video and movie self-timer for better vlogging options
Wireless YouTube Live streaming
AF works down to -4 EV, a 2-stop improvement
Light meter sensitivity down to -2 EV, also a 2-stop improvement
Improved battery capacity, 250 shots instead of 235

The flip-out screen of the Canon EOS M50 mark II makes it ideal for vlogging. You can see yourself in the frame. The camera is light enough to use on a selfie stick.
The following specifications have remained the same:

24.1-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
4K 24 fps, FHD 50 fps and 100 fps in HD
2.3-million-dot OLED EVF
WiFi and Bluetooth
ISO range from ISO 100 to ISO 25,600, expandable to ISO 51,200
3-inch fully articulating 1MP touch screen with Clear View LCD II
7.4 frames per second continuous shooting, 10 fps with AF lock
Completely silent shooting
Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus with 143 AF points covering 88% / 100% of the image area
Touch and drag AF to move the AF point across the LCD screen, even when looking through the viewfinder
5-axis image stabilisation
Compressed CR3 Raw file option, Craw

The same sensor, the same quality in a compact body

The sensor in the EOS M50 mark II, and therefore also in the EOS M50, is the same type found in many of Canon's APS-C cameras. In the video I recorded, I mention the Canon EOS 7D mark II, but that is not quite correct.

The M50 mark II has a 24.1-megapixel sensor. It is, however, the same type of sensor. You can therefore expect the same image quality from the EOS M50 mark II, but in an extremely compact camera body.

With 24 MP, the Canon EOS M50 mark II produces images with beautiful resolution.
The original EOS M50 was one of the first EOS models to have the compressed Craw file format.

The EOS M50 mark II also has this file format. The Craw format produces files that are 40% smaller without affecting quality. You only notice a negligible difference when pushing the editing to extremes.

The EOS-M lens mount

The EOS M50 mark II is very compact. This also makes very compact lenses possible, available as EOS-M lenses. The range of these lenses is large enough for the camera's intended purpose.

With an EOS-EF-M adapter, it is also possible to use EF-S or EF lenses.

With the EOS EF-M adapter, you can use any EF-S and EF lens on the EOS M50 mark II. This is the same as the options offered by the first model, as shown in this collage.
The compact design of the EOS M lenses is what makes this system particularly attractive. These lenses are often much more affordable than the larger EF-S and EF versions. The fact that you can still use those lenses makes the EOS M50 mark II very flexible.

An ideal vlogging camera

Although photography is perfectly possible with this small EOS M50 mark II, the camera is also intended for filming. Its compact design and simple video functions make it an ideal vlogging camera.

Some menu pages for the video functions. The camera is so small and light that you can easily hang or attach it anywhere. Or use it with a selfie stick, as I did in the video below.
Flip the screen forwards and you can see perfectly how you are positioned in the frame. Combine this with the excellent eye AF and built-in 5-axis image stabilisation, and you have a very suitable camera for walking around with.

Turn the screen to any position for video or photography.
For this review, I made a short vlog video, my first. The footage is straight out of the camera and unedited. The sound was also recorded with the built-in microphone. Unfortunately, I did not manage to photograph the orange-tip butterflies I had gone out to find.

This video was recorded in full HD at 50 frames per second. Only at the end of the video can you see the result of the 100 fps slow-motion HD recording, which is also available. You can also record in 4K if you wish.

Photography with the EOS M50 mark II

The camera's small size makes you want to take it with you. I mainly photographed with the standard 15-45mm lens, which is equivalent to 24-72mm full frame.

Focusing is fast and accurate. You can use the touchscreen to move your AF point by swiping, even when using the EVF. This lets you choose the point you want to focus on very quickly and efficiently.

Flowers in the village of Nes, Ameland. Swiping lets you quickly place the AF point in the right spot in the frame. For photographing people, you would of course use eye AF.
The buttons on the EOS M50 mark II are very small, but have a clear pressure point. Only the M-Fn button and the movie button on top of the camera are less easy to feel.

Around the shutter button is a control dial that can be used to set various values. The function assigned to the dial depends on the mode selected.

Despite the small number of buttons, operating the camera is reasonably intuitive and easy to master. Together with the excellent menu layout and touchscreen, photographing and filming with the Canon EOS M50 mark II is very enjoyable.

An overview of the camera's exterior.

Connectivity

The connections on the EOS M50 mark II are not particularly extensive, partly because of the camera's small size. They are sufficient for normal use of the camera.

On the left is the microphone connection, which can sometimes get in the way when you flip the screen out for vlogging. At least, when you use an external microphone.

On the right, you will find a mini USB 2.0 and mini HDMI connection, type D. Unfortunately, there is no USB-C, and the camera cannot be powered via the USB cable. The battery compartment is underneath the camera, and this is also where the UHS-II SD card goes.

The connections on the Canon EOS M50 mark II.
The size and position of the battery and memory card compartment make it awkward to use the camera on a tripod. Once a tripod plate is attached, the cover can no longer be opened. You therefore always have to remove the tripod plate when you need to access the compartment.

The menu and options

The menu has Canon's familiar layout. It clearly separates the different options. All the functions in the menu can be operated using the touchscreen.

An impression of some settings in the AF menu
Some of the available functions change depending on whether you have selected video or photography. The EOS M50 mark II goes further in its options, however, by offering a number of creative settings.

The menu for the creative photographer.
These functions are aimed at photographers who do not want to edit afterwards and prefer to shoot in JPEG. You can choose portrait, landscape and similar creative functions, but there is more than that.

Would you like to photograph with a fisheye effect? That is possible. Want a miniature effect? You can set that too. Although these functions are often more of a gimmick, they will certainly appeal to a large audience. Especially if you are focused on social media.

Four examples of the creative functions. Fast shooting is not possible, as time is needed to apply the filters to the photos. You shoot in JPEG format when using these filters.

Using the camera for photography

During the photography weekend in Ameland, where I was a guide for Fotografiereizen.nl, I found using the camera in the village of Nes very enjoyable. Because the camera is small and unobtrusive, the EOS M50 mark II is also suitable for street photography.

I am not a street photographer. That is why most of my photos of Nes do not include people.

Beautiful spots in the village of Nes on Ameland.
The camera was, however, used more often for landscape photography. It also performs excellently there, with all the options you would expect from a camera. From auto bracketing and creating time-lapses to setting exposure compensation, or making a vlog, of course.

A fantastic sunset and evening twilight that I photographed after recording my vlog.
I used the camera alongside my larger camera a lot, and it was striking how convenient it was to quickly reach for the EOS M50 mark II. Not just for photos, but also for trying things out. The image stabilisation removes the immediate need to use a tripod.

There is enough dynamic range to keep the highlights under control in most cases. Only in extreme situations does this become more difficult. In those cases, choose an HDR exposure.
The sensor's dynamic range is not as good as that of much more expensive modern cameras, but it is certainly enough for most people. You can use bracketing if necessary.

A bracketing series that I later combined in Lightroom Classic to create this photo.

My conclusion and verdict

I was already very impressed by the EOS M50, the first model, in 2018. The quality this camera delivers, and the option to use larger EF-S and EF lenses, made it a lot of fun to use.

How much fun it was became clear again when using this second version, the Canon EOS M50 mark II. It is essentially the same camera. But the small changes are the finishing touches.

If you already have the older EOS M50 and mainly take photographs, I do not think an upgrade is worthwhile, unless you want one of the newer functions. If you want to use eye AF, for example in videos, an upgrade is worth considering.

Photographing pinksterblooms with a mini tripod.
I did not use the vlogging function in 2018. This time, I did. To be honest, I cannot make a good comparison with other similar cameras suitable for vlogging. What I do know is how enjoyable it was with the EOS M50 mark II.

There are only a few things that I found less enjoyable. Of course, there is the previously mentioned position of the microphone connection, which can get in the way when tilting the LCD screen.

The other is the need to remove a tripod plate when charging the battery and changing an SD card.

With an external microphone, the connection can get in the way when you want to turn the LCD screen.

A misty sunrise. No HDR, just a single exposure.

What I found positive

Very compact and lightweight
Clear LCD screen
Good touchscreen functionality
WiFi and Bluetooth, with direct streaming to YouTube
Vertical video is possible
Compressed Craw file
Menu can be switched between very simple and normal
LCD screen can be used to place the AF point by swiping, also when using the EVF
Fast and accurate autofocus with eye AF, for both video and photos
Excellent image quality and ISO performance

What could be improved

The M-Fn button and movie recording button provide little feedback when pressed
No separate exposure compensation dial
Manual switching between the EVF and LCD is only possible through the menu
The dioptre adjustment is awkward and easily moved accidentally
The battery cover cannot be opened when a tripod plate is attached
The external microphone connection can obstruct rotation of the LCD screen
No power supply via USB, although a mains adapter for continuous power is available separately

Pinksterblooms at sunset. Unfortunately, there were no orange-tip butterflies to be found.

Since 2018, I have recommended buying a Canon EOS M50 to anyone who wants small size, compactness and good-quality photos without spending a fortune.

I will continue to do so now, but with the Canon EOS M50 mark II. In other words, it is recommended.

The EOS M50 mark II is available with the EF-M 15-45mm for 699 euros.

Share: WhatsApp Facebook

About the author

Nando Harmsen has been photographing for more than 40 years. He specialises in wedding photography and landscape photography. Nando also gives talks, workshops, masterclasses and photo trips, and regularly reviews new and interesting equipment.

Review: Canon EOS R10 mirrorless camera
by Nando Harmsen
Review of the fantastic Canon EOS R6 Mark II
by Nando Harmsen
Review: Canon EOS R7
by Nando Harmsen
Review: Canon EOS R50 mirrorless camera
by Nando Harmsen
Review: Canon EOS R8 full-frame mirrorless camera
by Nando Harmsen
Review: Canon EOS R50 V vlog camera
by Nando Harmsen

Show every article in Reviews

home

3 comments

Gert van Eck wrote on Friday 11 June 2021 at 16:48 | reply
Hi Nando, thanks for this review and the beautiful photos you took with it. I have had the M50 since the end of 2018.
What I miss in your review is whether an upgrade to the Mark 2 is possible. It seems that they are, after all, (almost) all software improvements.
My criticism of the old M50 is the AF focusing as soon as the subject becomes somewhat smaller and the contrast is less pronounced, such as a deer or roe deer in the woods at some distance with a 150 or 300 mm lens. I am now very curious to see how the Mark 2 handles this.
I previously came from the EOS550D and my second problem was that I often unintentionally activated functions on the control dial. You wouldn't believe how often I had to turn off the unintentionally activated flash function before being able to take a picture. There are also slightly too many functions for which you need the display touchscreen.
A positive point for the M50 Mark 1 or 2 is photographing with EF(S) lenses. With these somewhat heavier lenses, I always use the threaded connection underneath the EF adapter ring and position my Arca Swiss plate so that the rails run in the viewing direction. In this situation, you can change batteries without obstruction.
Translated from Dutch.

Nando wrote on Tuesday 15 June 2021 at 08:51 | reply
@Gert van Eck
No, this is not possible through a software upgrade. I expect that there is more than just software involved, and that hardware inside has also been modified to enable the new possibilities.
Translated from Dutch.

Paul wrote on Tuesday 15 June 2021 at 13:09 | reply
Now this is what I call a review, immediately useful information and no mile-long texts that you dread reading.
Well done Nando!!
Translated from Dutch.

Have your say

Please note: Articles older than a week can only be commented on by signed-in visitors.
Would you still like to comment? sign in or create a free account.

Become a better photographer every week

A practical photography tip in your inbox every week.
39,103 photography enthusiasts already receive the tips! More about the weekly mail. Or keep up to date via Facebook. Sign-up secured with Google reCaptcha.

Elja Trum

Photofacts; everything to do with photography!

Would you like to take better photos and keep up with what is happening in photography? Photofacts publishes articles that teach you something about photography — from a product announcement to a practical shooting tip or a look at a website. Photofacts covers photography every day and is a hobby project of Elja Trum's that got out of hand. The articles are written by a team of volunteer authors. If you would enjoy writing one or more articles for Photofacts, do get in touch.More about Photofacts

Photofacts is made possible in part by