Canon M50 Mark II vs Olympus OM-D E-M10 II: An Expert’s Comparative Review for Enthusiasts and Pros

Choosing between the Canon EOS M50 Mark II and the Olympus OM-D E-M10 II can feel like stepping into a boutique camera shop brimming with compelling but very different options. Both cameras land solidly in the entry-level mirrorless category but adopt diverging philosophies in sensor technology, ergonomics, and capability focus. After extensively testing these two models across multiple genre applications - from portraits to astrophotography - I’m sharing a detailed, hands-on comparison to help you decide which suits your photographic ambitions.

Let’s dive in.

First Impressions: Size, Handling, and Ergonomics

When placing these cameras side by side, the physical differences are instantly noticeable - not surprising, given their sensor format variance and design lineage.

The Canon M50 II measures 116x88x59 mm and weighs in at 387 grams, sporting a slightly taller but compact SLR-style body. The Olympus E-M10 II is a tad shorter and slimmer at 120x83x47 mm yet weighs almost the same at 390 grams. Olympus’s choice of Micro Four Thirds sensor (smaller than Canon’s APS-C) allows them to shave off body thickness, but the grip design on the Canon feels more comfortable for extended handheld use, especially for larger hands.

Ergonomically, the Canon delivers a more traditional DSLR-style hold with a deeper grip, improved button placement, and a slightly larger shutter release for intuitive operation. Olympus favors a flatter profile, which feels less bulky but can become a little fiddly when making adjustments quickly - something long-time Olympus users get used to. For photographers who often switch settings on the fly during shoots, Canon’s layout tends to be quicker to learn and more reliable under pressure.

Looking at the top-view control layout reinforces this feel. The Canon M50 Mark II provides a mode dial with direct access to key exposure modes, a dedicated video record button, and intuitive control dials. Olympus packs controls more densely, with a mode dial but fewer dedicated buttons - leaning slightly towards menu-based customization rather than tactile access.

In summary, comfort and user interface lean Canon’s way, especially for those upgrading from DSLRs or those who want a quick grip-ready body out of the box.

Sensor, Image Quality, and Resolution: The Heart of the Matter

This is where things get interesting, as the M50 II and E-M10 II utilize completely different sensor technologies and sizes, which dramatically influence real-world image outcomes.

The Canon M50 II features a 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 22.3x14.9 mm, whereas the Olympus E-M10 II houses a smaller 16MP Four Thirds sensor sized at just 17.3x13 mm. That difference brings a larger sensor area for the Canon - about 48% bigger - with an inherent advantage in resolving detail and dynamic range.

In practical terms, the Canon delivers richer colors and more flexibility in post-processing thanks to a clean ISO range from 100 to 25,600 (expandable to 51,200). The Olympus sensor runs natively from ISO 200 with a max of 25,600 but struggles more with noise at the higher end, especially beyond ISO 1600.

When shooting landscapes or studio portraits, the Canon’s 24MP resolution yields crisper textures and smoother tonal gradations. The Olympus’s 16MP sensor, while capable, produces softer detail that can be less forgiving during large prints or aggressive editing.

The Canon’s sensor also benefits from dual pixel CMOS autofocus - a strong contributor to image sharpness via improved focusing accuracy. Olympus uses a contrast detection AF system, which, while respectable, doesn’t match Canon’s precision or speed, especially in low contrast or dimly lit scenarios.

Autofocus, Burst Rates, and Responsiveness

If you’re a sports, wildlife, or street photographer, autofocus performance and camera responsiveness make all the difference between a 'keeper' or a ‘miss.’

The Canon M50 II gains an edge here with its 143 phase-detection autofocus points covering a wide area of the frame, boasting eye detection AF and continuous tracking. Canon’s proprietary Dual Pixel AF technology excels at acquiring and maintaining focus on moving subjects with excellent accuracy. In tests involving birds in flight and runners midstride, the M50 II proved remarkably reliable for a sub-$1000 camera.

Olympus’s E-M10 II, with 81 contrast-detection AF points and no phase detection, performs solidly for still subjects and moderate motion but falls behind in speed and tracking precision. Burst shooting tops out at 8 fps compared to the Canon’s 10 fps, which isn’t a huge gap but is noticeable when high frame rates matter.

Both cameras support continuous AF during video recording, although Canon’s system manifests smoother focus transitions and less hunting when shooting 4K or Full HD footage.

Display and Viewfinder: Your Windows to the World

Composing shots effectively requires quality displays and viewfinders, especially in mirrorless cameras where these are the primary framing tools.

Both cameras share a 3-inch LCD screen with 1,040k dots resolution, but their articulation differs significantly. Canon’s M50 II sports a fully articulating touchscreen ideal for vlogging or shooting from tricky angles, while Olympus’s E-M10 II opts for a tilting screen that flips upwards but not fully around. The touch responsiveness on Canon feels smoother in use and better integrated with menu navigation and focusing; Olympus’s screen doesn’t support touch tracking AF as effectively.

The electronic viewfinders (EVFs) on both models have the same 2,360k dot resolution, but the Olympus EVF offers a higher magnification at 0.62x compared to Canon’s unspecified magnification. This translates to a slightly larger, clearer image in the Olympus EVF with less screen door effect, which some users prefer when shooting in bright environments without relying on the rear screen.

Lens Ecosystem: The Heartbeat of Flexibility

One critical choice behind these cameras is the ecosystem of lenses you can tap into.

• Canon M50 II uses the Canon EF-M mount, with 23 native lenses officially available. The lineup covers everything basic to advanced, but the EF-M ecosystem is relatively small, and you may find fewer specialized or fast prime lenses compared to other mounts.

• Olympus E-M10 II employs the Micro Four Thirds mount with a staggering 107 lenses available from multiple manufacturers (Olympus, Panasonic, Sigma, etc.). This breadth means you have access to everything from ultra-wide and ultra-telephoto to macro and fast primes.

Given Micro Four Thirds focal length multiplier of 2.1x, Olympus users can achieve long telephoto reach more compactly, which is a boon for wildlife and sports shooters on a budget or those prioritizing portability.

Canons’s 1.6x crop factor APS-C sensor means lenses tend to offer a wider field of view for the same focal length, making it more flexible for general and travel photography.

Burst Shooting and Buffer: When Speed Matters

Burst rate is not only about frames per second but also about how many shots you can hold before the camera slows down.

Canon officially provides 10 fps continuous shooting - which is impressive for this class - and the buffer can handle around 33 RAW images before slowing down, sufficient for most intermediate photographers capturing action or fleeting moments.

Olympus’s 8 fps maximum frame rate and smaller buffer (around 10-12 RAW frames) are more modest. In fast-paced shooting scenarios, this difference could mean missing a crucial frame or two.

In-Camera Stabilization and Image Stabilization Insights

Being able to shoot sharply handheld is important, especially for landscapes, macro, and low-light scenarios.

Both cameras offer in-body image stabilization (IBIS), but Olympus stands out with a 5-axis sensor-shift system, proven across its OM-D lineup to effectively compensate for camera shake in stills and video. This 5-axis IBIS system provides up to 4-5 stops of shake reduction in practice, which is remarkable for this price point.

Canon M50 II lacks sensor-based IBIS but relies on lens-based stabilization (IS) whenever paired with compatible lenses. While this works well, it means less stabilization for lenses without IS and no stabilization during video if the lens doesn’t have it.

For handheld shooting in dim light or macro photography, Olympus’s superior IBIS is a big plus.

Video Capabilities: Which Camera Is Better for Moving Pictures?

For hybrid shooters who split their passion between stills and video, camera video specs and usability make a big difference.

The Canon M50 Mark II shoots up to UHD 4K at 23.98 fps (no 30p unfortunately), with 120 Mbps data rate in MP4/H.264 format. Full HD at 60/30/24 fps is available with good autofocus performance thanks to Dual Pixel AF.

Olympus E-M10 II limits video to Full HD 1080p at 60 fps max, lacking any 4K option. Video formats include H.264 and Motion JPEG, the latter being less efficient in compression and storage.

Canon also has a microphone input, aiding serious videographers, while Olympus lacks mic or headphone ports, placing it at a disadvantage for quality audio recording.

Additionally, Canon’s fully articulating screen works better for vloggers and self-recording compared to Olympus’s tilting display.

Battery Life and Connectivity

Battery endurance is often overlooked but is crucial for travel and extended shooting.

Olympus offers a slightly better CIPA rating of 320 shots per charge compared to Canon’s 305. While they are close, Olympus’s battery uses a removable BLS-50 pack in contrast to the Canon M50 II’s built-in battery, meaning you can’t easily swap batteries mid-shoot without charging externally.

Connectivity-wise, Canon ropes in built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, and GPS for geotagging. This suite supports seamless smartphone integration and remote control capabilities.

Olympus provides Wi-Fi, no Bluetooth, NFC, or GPS. This minimalist approach limits connection convenience compared to Canon.

Durability and Weather Resistance

Neither camera is weather sealed or ruggedized, although Olympus cameras traditionally have better sealing in their higher ranges. Here, both targets are primarily entry-level users looking for lightweight, non-professional build quality - so you must avoid exposure to harsh environments.

Price and Value: What Does Your Dollar Buy?

Currently, the Canon M50 Mark II retails around $599 body-only, while Olympus E-M10 II comes in closer to $499.

Canon’s higher price reflects more modern features - 4K, better autofocus, larger sensor, and better UI ergonomics. Olympus’s competitive price makes it attractive for budget-conscious buyers prioritizing compactness, stabilization, and a large lens ecosystem.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Genres

To better visualize their strengths and weaknesses, I tested both cameras on multiple photography disciplines and grouped findings below.

Canon M50 II front Canon M50 II screen back Olympus E M10 II front Olympus E M10 II screen back

Portrait Photography

Canon M50 II’s larger sensor and 24MP resolution produce richer, more nuanced skin tones. Eye detection AF swiftly locks and tracks faces, giving you sharp eyes with attractive background separation, thanks to the APS-C sensor’s shallower depth of field.

Olympus’s Four Thirds sensor yields softer bokeh and less creamy backgrounds. Skin tones are pleasant but less rich and can introduce texture smoothing artifacts when pushing contrast.

Landscape Photography

Canon’s dynamic range and resolution win again here. Shadows retain better detail with less chroma noise. The fully articulating screen aids framing in awkward angles over rocks or foliage.

Olympus excels in stabilization for handheld landscape shots without tripod - an advantage for natural light shooting. The smaller sensor limits resolution in very large print scenarios.

Wildlife & Sports Photography

Canon’s faster burst and superior autofocus speed give it the edge in tracking fast-moving animals or athletes. Longer effective focal length on Olympus lenses can help with reach but focusing speed and frame rate limit the number of action shots captured.

Street Photography

Olympus’s compact size and discreet shutter sound favor street photographers seeking a low profile. However, the slower autofocus can miss fleeting moments compared to Canon.

Macro Photography

Olympus’s excellent 5-axis IBIS combined with a wide range of compact macro lenses delivers excellent handheld macro possibilities. Canon’s lack of IBIS hurts slow shutter speed shots, but higher resolution offers more cropping flexibility.

Night and Astrophotography

Canon’s higher ISO capabilities and cleaner noise profiles make it more adept at night and star photography. The articulating screen and precise focus assist help nail manual focusing of stars.

Olympus’s sensor noise and smaller sensor area show more noise and less pronounced star detail.

Video Use

Canon clearly leads with 4K, microphone input, and smooth autofocus. Olympus video falls behind in quality and professional utility.

Travel and Versatility

Canon is slightly larger but overall more versatile with the sensor size and AF speed. Olympus wins on portability and lens selection for diverse shooting styles.

Professional Applications

Canon’s RAW files, Dual Pixel AF, connectivity, and video options give it broader workflow integration for budding professionals.

Final Considerations and Recommendations

Who Should Pick the Canon EOS M50 Mark II?

• Enthusiasts who want a modern, versatile camera with 4K video capability.
• Photographers focusing on portraits, landscapes with higher resolution, or wildlife shooting that demands speed and accuracy.
• Hybrid shooters wanting smooth autofocus, microphone support, and connectivity features.
• Users upgrading from APS-C DSLRs who want a strong all-around camera with comfortable ergonomics.

Who Should Pick the Olympus OM-D E-M10 II?

• Budget-conscious buyers seeking a compact, lightweight camera with excellent in-body stabilization.
• Macro and travel photographers prioritizing portability and access to a vast and diverse Micro Four Thirds lens ecosystem.
• Those whose shooting is mostly casual, street, or landscape needing excellent handheld stabilization rather than resolution.
• Users comfortable with slower autofocus and full HD video who want solid image quality at a bargain.

Closing Words

Having tested the Canon M50 Mark II and Olympus OM-D E-M10 II extensively, my takeaway is that both cameras punch well above their class but serve somewhat different audiences.

Canon feels like the all-arounder built for evolving photo and video needs with its sensor prowess and AF technology. Olympus earns its keep as the fun, stable, and portable tool for those who value stabilization and lens choice over sheer resolution and speed.

Selecting either will be a satisfying choice provided you weigh your priorities carefully. If you want my personal pick, the Canon M50 II edges ahead for its versatile strengths across the board, but Olympus remains a worthy contender for specific, size-sensitive use cases.

Happy shooting!

(Images are embedded contextually for a richer review experience.)