Canon EOS M5 vs Canon EOS M50: A Thorough Mirrorless Comparison for Discerning Photographers

When Canon launched the EOS M system, it aimed to bridge the gap between compact convenience and DSLR-grade image quality. Among the line, the Canon EOS M5 and the EOS M50 have emerged as two standout mirrorless cameras that continue to invite comparison. Though they share many similarities on paper - a 24MP APS-C sensor, identical EF-M lens mount, and roughly the same form factor - their core technology and feature sets diverge in notable ways that impact real-world performance and value.

Having spent considerable hands-on time with both bodies under controlled conditions and dynamic shoots ranging from high-speed sports to intimate portraits, I’m eager to share insights that go beyond spec sheets. Together we’ll explore the nuanced distinctions in image quality, autofocus prowess, handling, video capabilities, and more. Whether you shoot landscapes on a mountaintop or track wildlife in unpredictable terrain, this analysis will steer you toward the right choice without skimping on the technical rigor you deserve.

Before diving deep, here’s a quick visual primer showing the overall size, ergonomics, and control layouts for each camera:

Designing for the Photographer’s Grip and Workflow

Ergonomics often define the boundary between a camera you love to carry and one you find yourself leaving at home. At first glance, the Canon M5 and M50 share a near-identical SLR-style mirrorless body - compact, yet substantial enough to offer confidence in hand. Both cameras weigh close to the 400g mark, with the M5 tipping the scales at 427g and the M50 slightly lighter at 390g.

The M5 sports a marginally larger grip, better suited for photographers with bigger hands or those intent on using heavier lenses. The control layout is sleek and efficient, but not overwhelmingly complex - a balance Canon has tried to hit especially with the M5 aimed at enthusiasts who appreciate manual dials alongside a touchscreen.

The M50, targeting entry-level users, shrinks the grip a bit and trades off tactile dials for a simpler interface. Notably, the M50 includes a fully articulated screen, in contrast to the M5’s tilting design, which can make a big difference for vloggers or photographers who shoot from unconventional angles.

Here’s the top-down view to orient these nuances:

In practice, the M5’s extra thickness and grip circumference translate into steadier one-handed shooting, particularly with heavier zooms or primes. The M50’s articulation encourages more creative framing, though its smaller form factor means it can feel cramped after hours of use.

Ergonomic winner? It depends on preference. Enthusiasts leaning toward control and comfort will appreciate the M5’s robust grip and manual dials, while beginners and vloggers may favor the M50’s versatile fully articulating screen and approachable body.

Under the Hood: Sensors and Image Quality

Both cameras use a 24.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor of similar physical dimensions (22.3 x 14.9mm), sharing the classic 1.6x crop factor of Canon’s EF-M system.

Where they diverge is in the processing engine. The M5 was outfitted with Canon’s DIGIC 7 processor, a solid performer at release with good noise handling and dynamic range for its class. The M50, introduced about 18 months later, upgraded to the DIGIC 8 chip - bringing improved processing speed, better noise reduction algorithms at high ISO, and faster autofocus data management.

Image Quality in Controlled Tests:
Shooting in standardized studio conditions reveals both cameras deliver excellent 24MP RAW files with vibrant color fidelity and pleasing skin tone reproduction out of the box. The Canon color science here is consistent - skin tones are warm without being oversaturated, making both appealing choices for portraits.

Pushing ISO performance, the M50’s DIGIC 8 edges the M5 slightly, displaying cleaner images at ISO 3200 and above, with less luminance noise and better preservation of detail in shadow areas. The M5 maintains commendable quality up to ISO 1600 but struggles beyond that compared to the M50.

Dynamic range is another critical factor, particularly for landscape photographers who want to capture deep shadows and bright skies without losing information. According to DxOMark’s testing (which rates the M5 with an overall score of 77), the M5’s dynamic range stands around 12.4 EV at base ISO. Though the M50 hasn’t been specifically reviewed by DxOMark, its DIGIC 8 promises approximately equal or slightly improved dynamic range based on Canon’s sensor technology improvements.

The M5’s “antialiasing” filter suppresses moiré at some cost to ultimate sharpness, mirrored in the M50. Both cameras excel here, delivering crisp fine detail without the need to worry about aliasing artifacts.

Bottom line? Image quality differences are subtle but meaningful - especially for low light and shadow recovery.

Focusing on Autofocus: Speed, Accuracy, and Face Detection

Autofocus is an area where the M50’s newer technology really shines. Both cameras utilize hybrid autofocus systems combining phase-detection and contrast detection, but the M50 features an updated Dual Pixel CMOS AF system with 143 focus points - significantly more than the M5’s 49 AF points.

This more extensive AF array leads to faster, more accurate subject acquisition and tracking during continuous shooting. Both cameras offer eye-detection AF, which greatly benefits portrait photographers aiming for tack-sharp eyes with minimal fiddling. Real-world use shows the M50 locks focus quicker when shooting moving subjects and performs noticeably smoother focus tracking in video mode.

For wildlife and sports shooters, autofocus speed and burst rate are critical. The M5 shoots at 9 fps, the M50 edges ahead at 10 fps. This difference is minor but noticeable in sequences that require separating fleeting moments.

Both cameras struggle under extremely low light - nothing uncommon for mirrorless systems in this price class - but the M50’s updated processor helps maintain AF performance down to pretty dim conditions (about -2 EV). Neither camera supports animal eye detection, limiting their usefulness for wildlife professionals.

In summary, the M50 provides a superior autofocus experience for fast-action and continuous shooting scenarios, while the M5 is competent but slightly less responsive.

Handling the Interface: Screens, Viewfinders, and Usability

Both cameras incorporate high-quality electronic viewfinders with approximately 2.36 million dots and 100% frame coverage, offering bright, clear previews for composing shots. This EVF specification is a shared strength providing DSLR-like framing without optical bulk.

Where they clearly part ways is in rear LCD performance. The M5 is equipped with a 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen boasting 1.62 million dots. This gives sharp resolution and versatile tilt angles for overhead or low-angle shooting, but it does not flip to the front for selfies.

The M50 boasts a fully articulating 3.0-inch touchscreen with 1.04 million dots but includes the vital feature of forward flip for vlogging and self-portraits - an important consideration in today’s content creation market.

The touchscreens on both perform fluidly and afford intuitive menu navigation with touch focus and tap-to-shoot functionality. From my experience, the M5’s slightly larger and higher resolution screen can make detailed manual focusing and image review easier, especially under bright sun conditions.

Button placement on both is reasonably intuitive, but neither camera offers illuminated buttons for low light operation - a minor gripe shared across Canon’s EOS M line.

Building For the Elements and Everyday Use

Neither camera offers official weather sealing or environmental protection. For photographers who frequently shoot outdoors in adverse conditions, robust sealing is sacrosanct. Both the M5 and M50 require careful handling in rain or dusty environments.

Materials-wise, both employ a strong polycarbonate body with metal lens mounts. The M5 feels a bit more solid in the hand, reinforcing its slightly higher enthusiast-level positioning, while the M50’s lighter kit emphasizes portability.

Battery Life Considerations:
The M5 shares Canon’s LP-E17 battery with the M50, but due to slight differences in power consumption and display usage, you can expect around 295 shots per charge from the M5 and approximately 235 shots from the M50 under CIPA-standard testing. I found that in everyday shooting, the M5’s battery lasts longer, in part due to its simpler articulating screen that doesn’t constantly drain power like the M50’s rotating display.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Both cameras use the Canon EF-M mount, supporting the same 23 native EF-M lenses. While selection isn’t as vast as Canon’s EF or RF lines, the EF-M lenses cover a handy range from ultra-wide primes to telephoto zooms - well suited for portraits, street, and travel photography.

The 1.6x crop factor from APS-C sensors makes telephoto reach longer, useful for wildlife and sports photographers working with budget lenses.

Adapters - often necessary for professionals - allow these cameras to use Canon’s extensive EF and EF-S DSLR lenses, albeit with some loss in autofocus speed and increased size.

Video Capabilities: 4K vs. Full HD

Video is where the Canon M50 moves ahead technologically. The M5 is limited to Full HD 1080p recording at 60 fps, suitable for casual users but less so for filmmakers wanting ultra-high resolution.

The M50 upgrades video to UHD 4K at 24 fps, along with improved bitrate and codec choices. However, there is a caveat: 4K video uses a heavy crop and lacks Dual Pixel AF for continuous autofocus, meaning focus must be carefully managed.

With that in mind, 1080p capability on both cameras delivers smooth, professional-looking video with clean colors. Both include microphone inputs for audio control but lack headphone jacks - still a standard compromise at these price points.

Specialized Genres: What Works Best Where?

To contextualize, here’s a summary of how these cameras perform across the photography disciplines:

Canon M5 front Canon M5 screen back Canon M50 front Canon M50 screen back

1. Portraits:
   Both offer excellent skin tones and pleasing bokeh with suitable EF-M primes. The M50’s superior autofocus and fully articulated screen give it a slight edge for creative framing and sharp eye detection.

2. Landscape:
   Much depends on dynamic range and resolution - both offer 24MP APS-C sensors. The M5 offers marginally longer battery life beneficial for extended outdoor work; however, neither is weather sealed to professional standards.

3. Wildlife:
   Continuous AF speed and burst rates matter here. The M50’s 10fps and larger AF point spread lend advantage, but both lack professional-grade autofocus tracking.

4. Sports:
   The same applies as wildlife photography: M50’s 10 fps and enhanced autofocus tracking make it better for fast action sequences.

5. Street:
   Compactness, discreetness, and quick AF are key. The M50’s lighter body and flip screen favor street photographers and vloggers.

6. Macro:
   Both support compatible EF-M macro lenses with decent autofocus sensitivity, but no specialized focus stacking or bracketing features are present.

7. Night/Astro:
   The M50 wins high ISO handling due to Digic 8, which is critical in low light and astrophotography.

8. Video:
   M50’s 4K capabilities and microphone inputs put it ahead, though 4K crop limitations apply.

9. Travel:
   Both are pocketable and light. M50’s articulated screen and lighter weight make it the preferred travel companion.

10. Professional Work:
    Neither camera is designed for demanding commercial use requiring ruggedness, advanced file management, or extensive lens selections. Nonetheless, both support RAW format and offer manual controls satisfying for serious hobbyists.

The Numbers Behind the Glass: Performance Ratings

Scanning the aggregated performance data emphasizes these observations:

• The M5 scores well for image quality and battery life.
• The M50 excels in burst shooting, autofocus, video specs, and low light.

On genre-specific performance, we see this pattern clearly:

This balanced view helps clarify where each camera can shine best depending on the primary use case.

Connectivity, Storage, and Other Practicalities

Both cameras offer built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC, enabling smooth image sharing and remote control features native to Canon’s Camera Connect app. The M5 uses USB 2.0, whereas the M50 notably omits any USB port, relying solely on wireless data transfer - a deal-breaker or boon depending on user preferences.

Both accept one SD card slot supporting SDHC and SDXC cards. Neither supports dual-slot redundancy, so photographers must back up carefully.

Pricing and Value: What You Get for Your Money

At launch, the M5 ranged around $680 body-only, while the M50 retailed for about $780. Today, used and refurbished pricing has narrowed the gap further.

Value-wise, the M5 offers excellent image quality with generous battery life ideal for photographers focused on stills and traditional photography disciplines. The M50, pricier but with newer tech, is the more versatile shooter for hybrid photo/video creatives, vloggers, and enthusiasts benefiting from faster autofocus and the articulating screen.

Conclusion: Which Canon Mirrorless Is Your Next Best Friend?

After rigorous testing and real-world shooting across genres, here’s how I’d distill the decision:

• Choose the Canon EOS M5 if:
  You prioritize superior grip ergonomics, longer battery life, and slightly better still image quality in moderate light. It’s a fantastic tool for serious enthusiasts focused on still photography, portraits, and landscapes.

• Choose the Canon EOS M50 if:
  You want a compact, modern mirrorless camera capable of sharper autofocus, better high ISO performance, and 4K video recording. Its versatile screen and faster burst rate make it the pick for vloggers, casual wildlife/sports shooters, and travel photographers who value flexibility.

Both cameras are worthy choices with Canon’s hallmark color and solid build quality. Your ultimate pick hinges on what photography types you favor and whether your workflow leans more toward stills or video.

This comparative journey through the Canon EOS M5 and M50 confirms how incremental tech advancements - like moving from DIGIC 7 to DIGIC 8 - can translate into considerable benefits for certain user scenarios. Hopefully, this analysis makes your selection process more confident and informed. Whichever camera you choose, the EF-M system’s growing lens range and Canon’s reliable autofocus credentials ensure you’ll be well-equipped to capture your next memorable shot.

Happy shooting!