Canon has expanded its mirrorless EOS R camera family with the addition of the R50. Priced at $680, this camera is targeted towards budget-minded shoppers who want a more serious photography and content creation tool. The R50 features a 24-megapixel APS-C sensor, similar to the more expensive EOS R10, ensuring high image quality. However, what sets the R50 apart is its smaller and lighter design, making it ideal for travel and street photography.
With a weight of just 375 grams (including battery and memory card), the R50 is incredibly lightweight and compact. It can easily fit into a small bag alongside a lightweight lens, making it a convenient option for travelers and tourists. Despite its small size, the R50 has a decent grip and a rubber material that ensures it won’t slip out of your hands. However, it does lack controls compared to other models, with just a single dial to change settings. As a result, the touchscreen becomes the primary method of control, although the menu items can be small and fiddly.
The R50 features a 2.95-inch touchscreen with a 1.6 million dot resolution. It fully articulates, making it suitable for selfies and vlogging. The electronic viewfinder, although relatively small, provides a clear view with its 2.36-million dot resolution. One downside of the R50 is its battery life, with just 370 shots on a single charge. However, this is still an improvement compared to its predecessor, the M50 II.
The R50’s autofocus system is a standout feature, particularly for camera novices. Its hybrid phase-detect autofocus system effectively tracks subjects and captures sharp photos. It can track eyes, faces, heads, and even animals and vehicles. Burst shooting is also impressive, with the R50 capable of capturing up to 12 frames per second in mechanical shutter mode and 15 fps in silent electronic mode. However, the small buffer and slow memory card slots limit the number of shots in a burst.
In addition to manual and auto shooting modes, the R50 offers creative settings for beginners, including an A+ Advanced Auto mode. This mode takes four shots and combines them into a single JPEG image to optimize tricky shooting situations. The results may look overprocessed at times, but they can be pleasing overall.
Image quality on the R50 is on par with the R10. The 24-megapixel sensor produces color-accurate photos with Canon’s typical warm skin tones. JPEGs strike a good balance between sharpening and noise reduction, while RAW files allow for flexibility in post-processing. However, low-light performance is not exceptional, with ISO 6400 being the upper limit. The lack of in-body stabilization can also pose a challenge for low shutter speeds. On the bright side, the R50 has a built-in flash that can provide additional light if needed.
Overall, the Canon EOS R50 is a capable budget-friendly mirrorless camera that appeals to users who prioritize portability and ease of use. It may have some limitations, such as a small buffer and limited controls, but its fast autofocus, good image quality, and compact design make it a compelling option for those looking to step up from smartphones while still keeping things light and travel-friendly.
