Canon EOS R50 Review

[DhlcadR6]

Well Fuji has the 70-300 which takes the 1.4x teleconverter making it a 98-420mm f5.6-f8 . So pretty much the same. Good optics too.

I would like to see a compact aps-c canon with ibis sooner rather than later (with all the non ois sigmas and tamrons coming it would be welcome). As well as a couple of small rf-s primes. The 22mm f2 ef-m was great and should have been an easy port over. And the 32mm f1.4. Shame canon don't seem to care much about aps-c as anything other than a stepping stone to FF. I don't really like the chunky styling of the current aps-c line up though. Hoping they will eventually launch something more akin to the m6 ii. I guess I still lament the end of the old mount.

Fuji's Servo AF/AF-C is holding them back, so even with better telephoto lenses in X-mount, there're little reason to use them.

As for 22/2 and 32/1.4, tbh I don't miss them, with the RF16 RF28 and upcoming Sigma, they are more than enough.

 

[koenkooi]

Fuji's Servo AF/AF-C is holding them back, so even with better telephoto lenses in X-mount, there're little reason to use them.

As for 22/2 and 32/1.4, tbh I don't miss them, with the RF16 RF28 and upcoming Sigma, they are more than enough.

A kit consisting of the RF16, RF28 and the Sigma 56 would be great for traveling when you don’t have to have a large lens attached to the camera.
The R8+28mm is my current go to combo, its AF nails the eyes of my kids better than the M6II+22mm.

The Sigma 10-18 f/2.8 does make me wish for an EVF-less RF-S body…

 

[DhlcadR6]

RF 28 pancake is GOAT. tbh I would recommend anyone to get a RF camera because of this lens. You can use it daily regardless FF or APS-C, 28mm or 45mm for daily.

 

[kmrahe]

That’s not true of the R50. It’s too small for my hands…

In other words, for many of us, there really is no replacement for the M50, at least not from Canon.

 

[Maximilian]

This review made my thoughts become even more specific.

With some reluctance, I took the chance on a German rebate on R50 plus Sigma 18-50 DC DN this week (already over) and went the safe path for my new compact travel kit.
The R50 is okay (apart from the too small grip and the hot shoe), but the Sigma is quite cool. I'll post photos as soon as I'll get significant ones.
The R50 AF is great for such a cheap camera. I'll have to wait until I find out major differences from my R6m2.

Today, I tried out the R50 with the RF100-400 USM + Ext. AF was almost the same as with my R6m2 - maybe a little bit slower, but still very good.

 

[Maximilian]

RF 28 pancake is GOAT. tbh I would recommend anyone to get a RF camera because of this lens. You can use it daily regardless FF or APS-C, 28mm or 45mm for daily.

I wouldn't call it "GOAT", but it is a great bang for the buck, for sure.

 

[neuroanatomist]

With some reluctance, I took the chance on a German rebate on R50 plus Sigma 18-50 DC DN this week (already over) and went the safe path for my new compact travel kit.

That sort of combo is what interests me about the new PowerShot V1, which makes an even more compact kit.

 

[Maximilian]

That sort of combo is what interests me about the new PowerShot V1, which makes an even more compact kit.

Right now, I already recognize the lack of ISO performance between APS-C (R50) and FF (R6m2).
Of course, the V1 has the latest sensor tech inside (hopefully), but the sensor is even smaller.

To me, the absolute dealbreaker about the V1 is the zoom range.
For a P&S I want at least portrait tele (100mm FF eq.).
For me, the R50 is more flexible, also for nature and birding, insects.
Therefore, I'll pair it with the RF 100-400, maybe plus ext.

 

[neuroanatomist]

Right now, I already recognize the lack of ISO performance between APS-C (R50) and FF (R6m2).
For me, the R50 is more flexible, also for nature and birding, insects.
Therefore, I'll pair it with the RF 100-400, maybe plus ext.

At that point for me, there’s no real advantage to the R50 over the R8.



The M6II kit (with M11-22, M18-150, and M22/2) would be my choice for something in between the V1 and R8 kit. The RF-S lenses don’t offer much of a size advantage over their RF counterparts, EF-M lenses do.

 

[Maximilian]

At that point for me, there’s no real advantage to the R50 over the R8.

I had both in hands, and for me those almost 2 cm is a big size advantage for me with the R50.
Esp. when you take the size of the lenses (WA to TELE) into account.
I also considered the R8. It is not much smaller than my R6m2. But the R50 is much smaller.
But more important is, when you pair the R8 with a 24-105 STM or the 24-70+adapter: the combo is noticeably bigger than the R50+Sigma.
Give me the R8 specs. in an R50 housing, and still I would tend to the R50, because of the Sigma 18-50/2.8.
It is not 100mm FF eq. at the tele end, but close (80 mm FF eq. - for those that don't want to calculate), AND it's f/2.8 (at APS-C).

It was a long and hard decision.
But I made my choice.
And I wanted to stay flexible with an ILC system instead of P&S.

 

[neuroanatomist]

I had both in hands, and for me those almost 2 cm is a big size advantage for me with the R50.
Esp. when you take the size of the lenses (WA to TELE) into account.
I also considered the R8. It is not much smaller than my R6m2. But the R50 is much smaller.
But more important is, when you pair the R8 with a 24-105 STM or the 24-70+adapter: the combo is noticeably bigger than the R50+Sigma.
Give me the R8 specs. in an R50 housing, and still I would tend to the R50, because of the Sigma 18-50/2.8.
It is not 100mm FF eq. at the tele end, but close (80 mm FF eq. - for those that don't want to calculate), AND it's f/2.8 (at APS-C).

It was a long and hard decision.
But I made my choice.
And I wanted to stay flexible with an ILC system instead of P&S.

Choice is good! I do see the potential benefit of APS-C for a travel ILC kit, but for me the R50 doesn’t get there. The M6II does, particularly with the lenses factored in.



Here’s how I visualize it:


The three cases are sitting in my carryon suitcase (Pelican Elite Luggage Carry-On, long discontinued, but as I pointed out here, I’ll never need to buy another one).

In front is a Think Tank Retrospective 5 v2, for my FF travel kit. That currently comprises the R8, RF 10-20/4L, RF 24-240, and one other lens of similar size (last trip it was the RF 24/1.4L). The RF 28/2.8 and a little flash like the 270EX II will also fit.

Above left is a Think Tank Mirrorless Mover 20, for my M travel kit. That comprises the M6II or full spectrum-converted M6, the M11-22, M18-150, M22/2 and 270EX II (along with IR filters as needed). Realistically, I suppose the R50, RF-S 10-18, and RF-S 18-150 would fit. Not sure I’d be able to squeeze in the Sigma 32/1.4, and I’d need the adapter to use a small flash. Plus…I already have the M kit.

Above right is the LowePro DashPoint 20, which will fit the PowerShot V1.

Like I said, choice is good and the right answer is what works for you.

 

[Maximilian]

Choice is good! I do see the potential benefit of APS-C for a travel ILC kit, but for me the R50 doesn’t get there. The M6II does, particularly with the lenses factored in. ...

I know that was your choice. I considered that back then, too. But I didn't make that move.
Maybe a yet to be announced R50V plus attachable EVF would hit both our ideas in about two weeks.
But still the OEM lenses would be missing. Thanks to Sigma, I'm fine now.
We'll see...