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Canon M vs Nikon Z50

Portability
89
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60
Canon EOS M front
 
Nikon Z50 front
Portability
74
Imaging
67
Features
84
Overall
73

Canon M vs Nikon Z50 Key Specs

Canon M
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF-M Mount
  • 298g - 109 x 66 x 32mm
  • Announced July 2012
Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Released October 2019
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Canon M vs Nikon Z50 Overview

Below, we will be analyzing the Canon M versus Nikon Z50, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the M (18MP) and the Z50 (21MP) is pretty similar and they enjoy the exact same sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The M was introduced 8 years before the Z50 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Canon M being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving in to a full comparison, below is a brief overview of how the M scores versus the Z50 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon M over the Nikon Z50

 M Z50 

Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Canon M

 Z50 M 
ReleasedOctober 2019July 2012More modern by 87 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Canon M and Nikon Z50

 M Z50 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen resolution1040k1040kEqual screen resolution
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Canon M vs Nikon Z50 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera, you'll need to think about its weight and volume. The Canon M offers external dimensions of 109mm x 66mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 298 grams (0.66 lbs) while the Nikon Z50 has sizing of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") accompanied by a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs).

Check the Canon M versus Nikon Z50 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the M vs the Z50.

Canon M vs Nikon Z50 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the M and Z50 is 89 and 74 respectively.

Canon M vs Nikon Z50 top view buttons comparison

Canon M vs Nikon Z50 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes purely by reviewing specs. The image underneath will help give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the M and Z50.

All in all, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Nikon Z50 to offer greater detail using its extra 3MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The more aged M is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Canon M vs Nikon Z50 sensor size comparison

Canon M vs Nikon Z50 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon M vs Nikon Z50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon M
Portrait photography with Nikon Z50
74
has manual focus
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focusing
exports RAW files
80
manual focus
resolution is good (21MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon M as a Street photography camera
Nikon Z50 as a Street photography camera
72
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
features touch focus
no moving screen
no image stabilization
72
screen tilts
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
includes focus via touch
weather proofing
above average ISO range (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
heavier than others in class (397 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon M Sports photography features
Nikon Z50 Sports photography features
54
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
bad battery power (230 per charge)
75
resolution is good (21MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
weather proofing
has phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon M
Travel photography with Nikon Z50
63
features touch focus
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse recording
bad battery power (230 CIPA)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
77
weather proofing
has bluetooth
includes focus via touch
resolution is good (21 megapixels)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
heavier than others in class (397 grams)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon M Landscape photography details
Nikon Z50 Landscape photography details
65
has manual focus
switch lenses (Canon EF-M mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no image stabilization
bad battery power (230 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
78
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
resolution is good (21 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
above average ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon M Vlogging features
Nikon Z50 Vlogging features
36
touchscreen functionality
includes face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external mic port
doesn't have selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
71
display is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
supports face detect focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has mic socket
does not have image stabilization
heavier than others in class (397g)
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Canon M vs Nikon Z50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon M and Nikon Z50
 Canon EOS MNikon Z50
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model Canon EOS M Nikon Z50
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2012-07-23 2019-10-10
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 5 Expeed 6
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 22.3 x 14.9mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 332.3mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 21 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5184 x 3456 5568 x 3712
Max native ISO 12800 51200
Max enhanced ISO 25600 204800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 31 209
Lens
Lens mounting type Canon EF-M Nikon Z
Total lenses 23 15
Crop factor 1.6 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inches 3.2 inches
Display resolution 1,040k dots 1,040k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology Clear View II TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames/s 11.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 7.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye -
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (60, 50 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 298 grams (0.66 pounds) 397 grams (0.88 pounds)
Dimensions 109 x 66 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 65 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.2 not tested
DXO Low light score 827 not tested
Other
Battery life 230 pictures 320 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Built-in
Battery model LP-E12 EN-EL25
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported)
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $510 $857