It’s all about full frame mirrorless cameras nowadays. If you don’t go for such a camera, you are not taken seriously. Why not choose a mirrorless crop camera? I have six reasons to go for the new Canon EOS M50 Mark II.
Everyone is talking about the Sony Alpha, the Nikon Z, or the Canon EOS R series. Even Panasonic is aiming at the full frame market with the Lumix DC-S1 and DC-S5. This has a reason, of course. These cameras each are wonderful machines capable of incredible results under very challenging conditions.
Autofocus is swift and accurate, even under low-light conditions. The eyes of people, animals, and birds are recognized. Tracking keeps the focus on the right place no matter what. The dynamic range is pushed with every new model. You can get 13 stops, 14 stops, or even 15 stops.
But these cameras come at a price. Literally. You need to spend almost $4,000 on a Canon EOS R5. The Sony Alpha 1 is $6,500. The Nikon Z7 II will set you back for almost $3,100. These are the top models, of course. Even the cheapest full frame models are at least $1,000 dollars, which is still a lot for a lot of people.
But do you need a full frame mirrorless camera? Is your photography depending on a full frame sensor? Or do you need all the groundbreaking possibilities these top models offer? Perhaps you could do with a mirrorless camera that has a smaller sensor. For one reason, these cameras are much cheaper compared to their full frame siblings, bringing them within reach of most photographic enthusiasts.
The New Canon EOS M50 Mark II
Canon Netherlands asked me to review the new Canon EOS M50 Mark II a while ago. It is the follow-up of the Canon EOS M50 that was launched in 2018. It’s a pity this mirrorless crop camera is almost overlooked due to the mirrorless full frame wars that have been raging for a few years.
With the new Mark II version, Canon has implemented a couple of enhancements that make this small mirrorless camera a good choice for many. Instead of another review, I decided to write down six reasons why this small but capable camera might be a good choice for you.
1. It Has All the Important Features
Let’s be honest. What do you need in a camera, except a good exposure metering system and the possibility to use aperture priority, shutter speed priority, and manual mode? I think the answer is a good autofocus system that is fast and accurate.
The Canon EOS M50 Mark II has all that. It offers eye, face, and body autofocus. You can choose servo AF with the ability to touch and drag your autofocus point on the LCD touchscreen, even if you use the electronic viewfinder. It uses Dual Pixel CMOS AF with 143 AF points that cover almost the whole viewfinder.
If you fancy a good stabilization system, the EOS M50 won’t let you down with its five-axis IBIS and digital IS. You can shoot up to 7.4 frames per second with full AF capabilities or 10 frames per second when the AF lock is activated. The AF and metering work up to -4 EV with an f/2.0 lens attached, which is more than sufficient on most occasions.
2. It Is Made for Video
The small size and lightweight camera body make it easy to carry the Canon EOS M50 Mark II with you. Put it on a simple selfie stick and use the fully articulating screen for your personal vlogging. Place the camera on a small tripod or Gorilla Pod, and with the handy movie self-timer, it is easy to start your own video.
The camera offers 4K 24p, FHD 60p, or HD 120p high frame rate video. If combined with the IBIS system and digital IS, it is easy to walk around while filming without getting seasick while watching the results afterwards. The touchscreen makes operating the video functions easy. If you like, the Canon EOS M50 Mark II also offers time-lapse possibilities.
The recorded sound from the built-in microphone is of great quality. A wind filter can be activated if needed. You can improve the sound with an external microphone if you need the best quality available.
3. A User-Friendly Menu
Although this may be a very personal opinion, I do find the Canon menu the best available at this moment. The Canon EOS M50 Mark II also has the same menu structure as the other EOS models. There is a big difference, though.
The Canon EOS M50 Mark II is also for the amateur photographer who wants an even more accessible menu structure. You can choose between the easy one, with graphics and examples of the setting you have in front of you, or the more traditional menu structure.
Everything can be operated by the touchscreen, not only in the menu, but also on the LCD screen while photographing. Just press the Q button on the back of the camera or on the screen, and you can adjust the settings that are available on the screen.
4. The Image Quality Is Good
Perhaps the Canon EOS M50 Mark II doesn’t have the best sensor available, but it produces good results. You have to weigh it against the price you pay for this small but capable camera. It is said this camera outperforms the Canon EOS 80D on a lot of occasions, but I don’t have a comparison myself.
The ISO performance is good as long as you stay below ISO 3,200. ISO 6,400 shows noise, but on a lot of occasions, it is still usable. Although the camera goes all the way up to ISO 51,200, that won’t produce an attractive result. But it is available on the rare occasion you might need it.
5. Use Almost Any Canon Lens You Want
Well, perhaps not every lens you want, because RF lenses can’t be used on the Canon EOS M50 Mark II. But if you have an EF, EFs, TS-E, or MP-E lens, just get the EF-M adapter and you can use it without problems.
But it isn’t always necessary. Canon offers a nice range of lenses that are designed for the Canon EOS M system. These are small, compact, and easy to carry with you in a small camera bag. But if you want to use a Canon EF 500mm f/4L II IS USM on your Canon EOS M50 mark II, that won’t be a problem. It might just look a little funny.
6. It’s Relatively Cheap
Don’t buy a camera you can’t afford. It might be tempting to go for an expensive full frame mirrorless camera because everyone seems to have one. But if you don’t have the money, why don’t you take a step back and go for a cheaper solution that still has good quality?
For less than $700, you have a very capable camera with great image quality. You won’t break the bank and, although it isn’t full frame, you won’t notice this on most occasions.
I Can Recommend the Canon EOS M50 Mark II
When I used the first version of the Canon EOS M50 back in 2018, I was positively surprised by its performance and how much fun it was. I’ve experienced something similar while using this second version. It is the same camera in a lot of ways, but with many improvements made internally.
This time, I also made a video with the Canon EOS M50 Mark II. I would love to show it to you, but be warned the language is Dutch; I hope you don’t mind. I recorded the footage in FHD 50p with the built-in microphone. It gives an idea of what this camera is capable of, even if you don’t understand the Dutch language.
Bottom line, I love this small mirrorless crop camera. It produces great quality photos and good video quality. It is a small camera that has a lot of features to make it a very capable companion for your photography and video adventures.
What do you think about the Canon EOS M50 Mark II? Would you consider buying such a camera, or do you prefer some other similar type of camera from another brand? Please share your thoughts in the comments below and feel free to share what camera you find the ideal for both photography and vlogging.
SySyPhoTo 