Review: Canon EOS R50 V vlog camera

Friday 19 September 2025, 11:22 by Nando Harmsen | 4,156 views | 0 comments

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

Canon has released a vlog camera based on the popular EOS R50 mirrorless camera. This APS-C camera is aimed at content creators, with an extensive set of video features. I was given the EOS R50 V for review.

The Canon EOS R50 is a fun camera for photography enthusiasts. Read the review here. The camera offers a wide range of options, including a simple video function.

Are you mainly a photographer? Then the EOS R50 is a good choice. Do you do more filming or vlogging? Then consider the new EOS R50 V. This camera is fully aimed at videographers.

The star of this review: the Canon EOS R50 V
This is why I focused entirely on the video capabilities for this review. Photography is not covered. As the camera is based on the EOS R50, you can read in that review what you can expect in terms of photography.

Some specifications

As the EOS R50 V is mainly aimed at video, I have listed the most important specifications in that area. For photography, it is good to know that you essentially have the same or comparable functions and options as the EOS R50.

The camera is small and compact, making it ideal to take with you.

• 25.5-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
  
• Single UHS-II SD card slot
  
• Dual Pixel CMOS AF II autofocus system with 651 zones for photos and 527 for video
  
• Autofocus sensitivity down to -5 EV
  
• Subject recognition for people, animals and vehicles
  
• ISO sensitivity from 100 to 32000 (expandable to 51200
  
• 3-inch LCD screen with 1.04 megapixels, no EVF.
  
• 4K UHD from 6K oversampling at 50 (crop) and 25 fps, Full HD at 100, 50 and 25 fps
  
• XF-HEVC S YCC422 10-bit H.265 and XF-AVC S YCC422 10-bit H.264
  
• HDR PQ and Log3 recording, supports BT.709, BT.2020 and Cinema Gamut
  
• Video mode for smooth skin, close-up demos and IS video mode
  
• Built-in stereo microphone, 48kHz and 16-bit, 2 channels
  
• USB-C for charging and communication
  
• WiFi and Bluetooth 5.1
  
• Micro HDMI, microphone and headphone connections
  
• Maximum 2 hours of continuous video recording (except at high frame rates)
  
• Dimensions 119.3 x 73.7 x 45.2 mm, 370 grams including card and battery
  

A closer look at the camera

The EOS R50 V has a simple design, with the key functions directly within reach. There is no electronic or optical viewfinder. The camera has two video recording buttons, one on top as standard and one on the front.

The extra video shutter button on the front shows what the camera is also designed for: vlogging and recording yourself.
What stands out is the lack of a control dial below the shutter button. You do get a control dial on top, under your thumb, used in combination with the four-way button on the back. There is a zoom lever next to the shutter button for power zoom lenses.

The layout is simple, with the key functions directly under a button or programmable under a button
The buttons are quite small, which is understandable given the size of the camera. You can of course also operate it using the touchscreen. The PSAM dial is aimed at video, with just one setting for photography.

An overview of the connections on the EOS R50 V.
The connections on the EOS R50 V consist of a remote, microphone and headphone connection. There is a micro HDMI and a USB-C connection, which can be used both to charge the battery and to communicate with smart devices. The hot shoe also has connectors for accessories.

The camera is powered by a small LP-E17 battery, which is good for 480 shots (CIPA). In practice, it allows around 25 minutes of continuous video recording. The card slot for a UHS-II SD card is next to the battery.

I received the camera together with the Canon HG-100TBR tripod grip, the BR-E1 remote control and the Canon DM-E100 stereo microphone. This creative set makes it inviting to use the camera in an accessible way

The set of accessories used for the review.

Unfortunately, the DM-E100 microphone does not use the special connections in the hot shoe. On the other hand, the special bracket makes it easy to position it next to the camera, in combination with the tripod grip

A simple but effective combination for creative use of the EOS R50 V

Video functions

The video capabilities are more than sufficient for the purpose for which the camera is intended. You can record at up to 4K25p. If you want 50 frames per second, there are limitations and an additional crop.

A selection of the video settings and video formats. Some are not always possible because of specific choices. It is not always clear why a function cannot be selected.
You can also record in Full HD, with 100 frames per second slow motion available. For many social media applications, Full HD is usually sufficient. There is also an S&Q setting, with several fixed frame rates.

Choose from the XF-HEVC S or XF-AVC S movie formats. Both can be set to YCC422 and YCC420 10-bit, except XF-AVC S with YCC420. That is only available in 8-bit.

Set the camera up exactly as you want. There is plenty to choose from.
The EOS R50 V offers some other nice functions, such as 4 audio channels, a clear tally lamp and digital image stabilisation.

You have HDR PQ, LOG 3 and the familiar video colour modes such as BT.709, BT.2020 and Cinema Gamut available.

Extensive colour modes are available. You can create and save multiple personal settings so they are immediately available.

Autofocus and connectivity

The EOS R50 V has autofocus with image recognition for people, animals and vehicles, complete with tracking. This is available for both photos and video. For people, you can register faces to give them priority.

Autofocus works well, but is not flawless. It can struggle especially when the subject has little contrast or is small in the frame. There are enough settings available to refine the behaviour of the autofocus if necessary.

On the left, some autofocus options, and on the right, some connectivity options.

The camera can of course also connect to smart devices such as a tablet or smartphone. EOS Utility gives you additional options. The EOS R50 V can also be used as a webcam to stream video directly.

Using the EOS R50 V in practice

Using the EOS R50 V is simple. Set everything to automatic, connect the microphone and you can start filming. The tripod grip gives you plenty of control when holding the camera. You can mount the camera horizontally or vertically.

Position the camera horizontally or vertically, depending on the purpose.
The camera recognises the orientation and saves the video in the same way. The autofocus ensures a sharp image and can switch on HDR-PQ if necessary, so you also get balanced exposure in backlit conditions.

A short impression of the camera with an explanation. It gives an idea of what the camera may be suitable for.

There were a few things I ran into in practice. In particular, the choice of settings determines what is and is not available in the menu. Finding the reason why something is unavailable can be difficult.

Handheld filming at 500mm is possible with extensive digital IS, but it remains a challenge. When you are doing this, it can be difficult if changing a setting is not possible because it is unavailable. Finding out why takes time, or comes with experience and knowledge of the camera.

Another problem I ran into was the limited battery life. After half an hour of continuous recording, or a few hours of using the camera, the battery was already empty. An external power source such as a power bank limited the camera's functionality.

It is useful that the camera accepts all RF lenses and EF lenses with an adapter. If you already have one or more Canon lenses, they are perfect to use. That could be a telephoto lens for animals, or a wide-angle lens for vlogging.

Recording an instructional video with an old EF-70-200mm is no problem. I am using a Haida CPL-VND filter here.
What I miss is a clear indication that you are recording. A simple red frame around the image makes this very clear. It is difficult to see on the EOS R50 V.

Conclusion

For a good conclusion, it is important to first consider who this camera is intended for. If you are looking for professional functions and capabilities, this is not the camera for you. In that case, you will soon end up in the more expensive segment.

You can do a lot with the EOS R50 V, and its capabilities become more extensive with an external monitor or recorder. In cases like this, upgrading may be worthwhile.
The EOS R50 V is meant to be an accessible camera. It is intended for videographers who want to record in a simple way without having to worry about settings.

The EOS R50 V meets these requirements. The camera is small, light and offers enough options to get started with video. That could be vertical video for social media, or standard widescreen recordings that can shine on a TV or monitor.

Recording Siberian ground squirrels using the remote control in the tripod grip. Unfortunately, the autofocus could not keep up properly, see the video for the results.
The camera is certainly not flawless when it comes to autofocus, and there are no extensive video formats available. It is important to continue considering its performance in light of the target audience. For that audience, the camera offers enough setting options.

Are you looking for a simple video camera that can also take photos? Does it need to be easy to use, while still offering the option of using more advanced settings? Then the Canon EOS R50 V is certainly worth recommending.

The price of the Canon EOS R50 V is 999 euros with the RF-S 14-30mm power zoom lens. You can also get the body only for 799 euros.

What I like

• Tripod mounts for vertical and horizontal use
  
• Small and compact size
  
• Several buttons for starting and stopping recording
  
• Extensive colour settings for video, including recording in YCC 422 10-bit
  
• PSAM dial aimed at video makes it easy to use
  
• Four audio channels
  
• Many connectivity options, such as streaming
  
• Autofocus subject recognition and tracking for both video and photos
  
• 6K oversampling for 4K video
  
• Option to save a frame as an 8.3-megapixel JPEG photo from 4K UHD video
  
• Battery charger included
  
• Hot shoe with electronic contacts
  
• Acceptable price
  

What I like less

• Camera cannot be used while charging the battery in the camera
  
• No red frame around the screen while recording
  
• Rubber covers on the connections sometimes get in the way
  
• Battery runs out quickly, one or two spare batteries are really needed
  
• No percentage display for battery capacity, not even in the menu
  
• Autofocus recognition and tracking are not always equally reliable
  
• Depending on the settings, many functions may be unavailable, and it is difficult to work out why
  
• Rear control wheel is difficult to use without pressing buttons
  
• Memory card next to the battery, making it difficult to change
  

Many thanks to Canon Nederland for making the Canon EOS R50 V available.

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