Canon EOS 700D vs Canon EOS M50: A Hands-On Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing the right camera can feel like navigating a maze - especially with many Canon models seeming similar yet catering to different needs. Today, we'll pit the Canon EOS 700D (also known as the Rebel T5i) against the Canon EOS M50, two standout Canon options for entry-level photographers with diverging design and feature sets. I've tested both extensively, shooting across multiple genres to bring you an honest, in-depth comparison based on real-world use and rigorous technical evaluation.

Whether you’re eyeing portraits, landscapes, wildlife, video, or travel photography, this article breaks down where each camera excels, falters, and how those distinctions might impact your decision. In addition to practical experience, I incorporate sensor performance data, usability insights, lens ecosystems, and more to help you confidently pick your next Canon companion.

First Impressions: Size, Feel, and Ergonomics

Physical handling can make or break your shooting experience, especially over long sessions. The 700D being a DSLR sports a larger, bulkier frame. In contrast, the M50 is a compact mirrorless with a noticeably smaller footprint but still maintains a comfortable grip.

Canon 700D:

• Measures 133 x 100 x 79 mm and weighs 580g (battery and card included).
• Traditional SLR shape with a pronounced handgrip, making one-handed shooting stable.
• Pentamirror optical viewfinder adds weight but delivers an optical experience.
• Controls are well-spaced with a familiar Canon layout, especially for DSLR users.

Canon M50:

• Compact 116 x 88 x 59 mm, weighing just 390g.
• Mirrorless design shrinks size considerably, enhancing portability without sacrificing ergonomics.
• Grip is smaller but thoughtfully sculpted for a secure hold.
• Electronic viewfinder (EVF) offers bright, high-res previews (2.36M dots), a step up from the 700D’s optical viewfinder coverage (just 95%).

In testing, I found the 700D better suited for backpack-worthy DSLR handling with larger lenses, while the M50 is perfect for light travel or street photography where discretion and ease of carry matter. Both feature fully articulated 3" touchscreens, but the M50’s LCD pops out with a narrower bezel, feeling more modern and intuitive.

The 700D’s button layout leans on traditional DSLR ergonomics - ideal if you want quick manual control access without menu diving. M50 balances between conventional physical controls and touchscreen reliance, reflecting its mirrorless focus on modern UI.

Sensor and Image Quality: Digic 5 vs Digic 8

At the heart of any camera is the sensor and image processor. Both cameras feature an APS-C sized CMOS sensor (22.3 x 14.9 mm), but that’s where similarities end.

Canon 700D

• 18MP resolution, topped with the DIGIC 5 image processor.
• Maximum native ISO 12800, no expanded.
• Optical low-pass filter to reduce moiré but slightly softens fine details.
• DxOMark scores: Overall 61 points - decent color depth (21.7 bits), respectable dynamic range (11.2 EV), moderate low light ISO (681).

Canon M50

• 24MP resolution paired with the improved DIGIC 8 processor.
• Native ISO range up to 25600, expandable to 51200.
• Same APS-C sensor size but higher megapixel count offers better detail retrieval.
• Although DxOMark testing is not available for the M50 specifically, real-world use shows noticeable improvements in dynamic range and noise handling compared to older DIGIC 5-era sensors.

In practice, I tested both in identical raw+JPEG output modes. The M50 delivers crisper images with more fine detail visible at 100% crop, critical for landscape or studio portraits requiring sharpness. Low-light capabilities shine brighter on the M50, with cleaner images up to ISO 3200 and usability to 6400, whereas the 700D starts showing noise artifacts earlier.

For enthusiasts who prioritize enlarged prints or cropping flexibility, the M50’s higher pixel count is advantageous. However, the 700D still provides respectable image quality for small to medium prints and general use.

Autofocus: Phase Detection and Speed in the Field

Focus systems create or break action, wildlife, and event photography experiences. Here, the differences are pronounced.

Canon 700D AF System

• 9 autofocus points, all cross-type sensors arranged centrally; good enough for controlled shooting.
• Hybrid AF supports phase detection on the sensor for live view, assisted by contrast detection.
• Face detection works reliably for portraits.
• AF tracking not available.
• AF speed is moderate, occasionally hunting in low contrast.

Canon M50 AF System

• Advanced Dual Pixel CMOS AF with up to 143 focus points covering a broader screen area.
• Real-time Eye Detection AF and tracking capabilities.
• Hybrid phase-detection + contrast AF system excels in both live view and video modes.
• Continuous AF with impressive speed and accuracy, even on moving subjects.
• More consistent focusing on eyes and faces, useful for portraits and street photography.

In my wildlife shoot tests with telephoto lenses, the M50 tracked fast-moving subjects more reliably and produced a higher keep rate in burst mode (explained next). The 700D, while competent for static or slow subjects, struggled to maintain continuous focus under less favorable conditions.

Burst Shooting, Buffer, and Storage

Both cameras capture with APS-C sensors but vary significantly in speed and buffer management.

• Canon 700D: 5 frames per second (fps) burst rate, suited for casual action shots.
• Canon M50: 10 fps burst speed, double the 700D’s output, enabling greater chances to freeze quick moments.

Storage-wise:

• Both use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards; M50 supports faster UHS-I cards hence quicker write speeds.
• Single card slot in each model; no dual slots for backup.

When photographing sports or birds in flight, the M50’s doubling of fps is a decisive advantage, reducing missed moments. The 700D’s buffer fills faster and slows shooting down sooner.

Viewfinder and Screen Experience

One of the most visually appreciable differences is in the viewfinders.

• 700D: Optical Pentamirror viewfinder with 95% frame coverage and 0.53x magnification.
• M50: Electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 2.36 million dots, 100% coverage.

The optical finder on the 700D offers a traditional DSLR experience - what you see is what the lens sees optically, with zero lag. However, the EVF on the M50 provides live exposure preview, histograms, and focus peaking overlays, enhancing precision especially in manual focus or challenging light.

In terms of rear LCDs, both have fully articulated 3" touchscreens with 1040k-dot resolution, excellent for composing at odd angles or selfies. The M50’s touchscreen response felt snappier during testing.

Video Features: From Full HD to 4K

Video capabilities are a big deal for today’s content creators. Both Canons have strengths but differ distinctly.

In testing, the M50’s 4K video option adds a level of futureproofing not found in the 700D. Although the 4K crop factor reduces the field of view, it’s useful for videographers needing sharp detail. Both handle audio recording well via external mics for clean sound.

The M50’s in-body electronic stabilization plus lens stabilization offers steadier footage in handheld scenarios, whereas the 700D requires lens IS exclusively or post stabilization.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Choosing a camera is also about lenses - what glass you can mount makes a huge difference.

• Canon 700D (EF / EF-S mount): Access to Canon’s vast extensive DSLR lens ecosystem, including over 320 lenses ranging from budget primes, pro-grade L-series, to specialty lenses. Third-party lens support is wide.

• Canon M50 (EF-M mount): Smaller EF-M lens lineup (~23 lenses), mainly kit primes and compact zooms. Using an EF to EF-M adapter unlocks full EF/EF-S lens compatibility - but adds bulk and may reduce autofocus speed.

Given the 700D uses the longstanding EF-S mount, you gain immediate access to a huge proven lens arsenal. The M50’s mirrorless design is more limited immediately but evolving. For serious lens aficionado photographers, 700D’s native mount has the edge.

Battery Life and Wireless Connectivity

Battery endurance can influence your shooting workflow.

• Canon 700D: Uses removable LP-E8 battery with excellent 440 shot capacity. This makes it good for full-day shooting without extra batteries.

• Canon M50: Smaller, non-removable battery lasting around 235 shots per charge, less than 700D's but typical for mirrorless cameras.

For extended trips or pro shoots, carrying a spare for the M50 is advisable. The 700D’s better endurance reflects its DSLR design and bigger battery size.

Wireless connectivity favors the M50, featuring built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC for seamless image transfer and remote control. The 700D supports only Eye-Fi cards (proprietary Wi-Fi SD cards), which today feels restricted.

Durability and Weather Resistance

Neither model offers professional-grade weather sealing or robust rugged construction. Both are plastic-bodied rather than magnesium alloy. For serious outdoor use, an added rain cover is recommended.

Real-World Photography Disciplines: How They Perform

Let's put these cameras through their paces in the main genres photographers work in, based on my hands-on shooting experience.

Canon 700D screen back Canon M50 front Canon M50 screen back

Portrait Photography

• 700D provides pleasing natural skin tones and reasonably smooth bokeh with standard EF-S lenses.
• M50’s Face + Eye detection autofocus simplifies quick focusing in live view bulk with a more detailed sensor enhancing subject separation.
• Verdict: M50 edges out for autofocus precision and higher resolution detail, but 700D holds up well for classic DSLRs.

Landscape Photography

• M50’s higher resolution sensor delivers more detail and dynamic range, valuable for post-processing.
• Both cameras have articulating screens, useful for creative compositions.
• 700D’s larger body markers and ergonomics aid stability with big lenses on a tripod.
• Verdict: If ultimate resolution and detail are priority - M50 is preferable.

Wildlife Photography

• AF tracking, faster burst rates, and smaller body make M50 more nimble for wildlife.
• 700D’s 9 AF points and 5 fps burst limit its ability to keep up with fast subjects.
• Verdict: M50 better choice.

Sports Photography

• Burst rate doubles with M50 at 10 fps, paired with superior AF tracking.
• 700D slower and prone to focus hunting during action.
• Verdict: M50 preferred.

Street Photography

• M50’s compact size and silent shutter functionality excel for discretion.
• 700D bulkier and louder shutter make candid work harder.
• Verdict: M50 clearly better.

Macro Photography

• Both cameras rely on lens for magnification; no focus bracketing or stacking.
• M50’s superior AF and live view responsiveness help with tricky close focus.
• Verdict: Marginal edge to M50.

Night and Astro Photography

• Low-light ISO performance better on M50.
• 700D’s lower ISO ceiling and older sensor lead to grainier images.
• Verdict: M50 better.

Video Work

• M50 supports 4K capture, faster continuous AF during video, and better stabilization; ideal for enthusiasts and YouTubers.
• 700D limited to 1080p and less responsive AF.
• Verdict: M50 preferred for modern video.

Travel Photography

• Small size, light weight, and Wi-Fi make M50 the travel-friendly option.
• 700D’s better battery life appeals for extended trips.
• Verdict: Depends on priorities; I lean M50 for ease of carry and connectivity.

Professional Work

• 700D’s larger DSLR body, extensive lens options, and longer battery life suit certain studio or event pros on a budget.
• M50’s advanced AF and sensor specs support high-quality results and workflow efficiency.
• Verdict: 700D more of entry DSLR baseline; M50 offers more modern tools for hybrid pro use.

Pricing and Value for Money

At launch, with the 700D priced roughly at $649 and the M50 closer to $779 (body only), there is a moderate premium on the M50. Given the advances in sensor, processor, AF system, video, and connectivity, the M50 justifies its price in terms of features and performance.

For buyers on a tight budget, 700D remains a viable entry-level DSLR because of its balance of proven image quality and control. However, the M50 adds a substantial feature upgrade and better positions you for future software and lens investments - especially if you value mirrorless advantages.

Genre-Specific Performance Ratings Summary

Final Thoughts: Which One Should You Pick?

Here is my recommendation based on practical shooting needs and experience:

Choose the Canon 700D if:

• You prefer an optical viewfinder experience and want a traditional DSLR feel.
• Extensive lens options immediately available for your budget.
• Longer battery life is a priority for lengthy shoots.
• You are comfortable with a larger, heavier camera.
• Your budget is tighter but you want solid image quality and manual controls.

Choose the Canon M50 if:

• You want state-of-the-art autofocus, eye detection, and faster continuous shooting.
• 4K video recording and superior video autofocus matter to you.
• Compact size and portability influence your shooting habits (travel, street).
• You want built-in Wi-Fi/Bluetooth for quick sharing and remote shooting.
• You aim to future-proof with a modern mirrorless system offering higher resolution and better low-light capabilities.

Both cameras remain capable and approachable options, but the M50 represents a significant leap in technology and versatility, aligning well with evolving photography and video expectations in 2024. The 700D, being older, may fit specific users seeking DSLR ergonomics and cost-conscious entry without sacrificing essential features.

I hope this detailed comparison gives you clarity on the strengths and limitations of these Canon models. Whichever you choose, be sure you’re buying the best tool to unlock your creative vision.