Canon EOS M50 vs Sony NEX-5R: A Hands-On Comparison for Enthusiast Photographers

Choosing the right entry-level mirrorless camera can make all the difference in your photography journey. Two influential models that have shaped the mirrorless landscape in recent years are the Canon EOS M50, launched in early 2018, and the Sony NEX-5R, introduced in 2012. While they target similar markets - enthusiasts stepping into mirrorless systems - their designs, technologies, and capabilities reflect different eras and philosophies.

Having thoroughly tested both cameras in diverse real-world scenarios, I’m here to provide a detailed, experience-driven comparison. This guide will help you understand how their core differences translate into tangible benefits or compromises, and which might suit your photographic style and ambitions better.

First Impressions: Design, Build Quality, and Handling

Starting with how these cameras feel in the hand and function in the field is key, as comfort and intuitive controls influence every shooting session.

Canon EOS M50: Modern SLR-Style Familiarity

The Canon M50 sports an SLR-style body measuring 116 x 88 x 59 mm and weighing around 390 grams. This size strikes a familiar balance: not bulky but substantial enough for a comfortable grip, especially for extended shooting. The slightly recessed thumb rest and well-placed controls make it easy to reach key buttons without repositioning your hand.

Sony NEX-5R: Compact and Lightweight Rangefinder-Style

In contrast, the Sony NEX-5R is more compact - 111 x 59 x 39 mm and a lighter 276 grams. Its rangefinder-style design aims for portability, sacrificing some ergonomic advantages of grip size and control separation. The smaller depth can make the camera feel less secure in hand, notably with larger lenses mounted.

Comparison Summary

While both cameras support mirrorless versatility, the M50’s design feels more contemporary and thought-out for handling comfort. For those new to interchangeable lens cameras or preferring longer shooting sessions without fatigue, the Canon scores highly on ergonomics.

User Interface and Control: Navigating Your Creative Tools

The menus, dials, buttons, and screen responsiveness influence how fast and efficiently you photograph.

Canon M50: Intuitive Touch and Articulated Screen

The M50 features a fully articulated 3-inch LCD with 1040k-dot resolution and responsive multi-touch capability. This kind of screen flexibility is invaluable for vloggers, macro shooters, or anyone shooting from awkward angles. The addition of a bright 2.36M dot OLED electronic viewfinder (EVF), covering 100% frame, enhances framing precision - something I found indispensable when working in bright outdoor conditions.

Sony NEX-5R: Tilt Screen with No Built-in EVF

The Sony has a 3-inch TFT LCD (920k dots) with a tilt mechanism that flips up 180° and down 50°, adequate for selfies and waist-level shots but lacks full articulation. It omits a built-in EVF entirely, relying on composing via the rear screen - a notable downside for challenging bright environments.

Both cameras support touch-focused autofocusing, an essential convenience in live view use.

Summary of Interface Experience

The Canon M50’s combination of an articulated touchscreen and built-in EVF offers a more versatile and professional user experience. If precise framing and dynamic composition are priorities, the M50’s interface will enhance your workflow.

Sensor and Image Quality: Core Performance Under the Lens

Sensor technology fundamentally determines your image quality, influencing resolution, dynamic range, color depth, and noise performance.

Canon M50 Offers a 24.1MP APS-C CMOS Sensor

Using Canon’s newer Digic 8 processor, the M50’s sensor measures 22.3 x 14.9 mm with a 1.6x crop factor. The 24-megapixel resolution brings a balance of detail and manageable file sizes. While Canon’s color science is historically accurate with pleasing skin tones, their sensors are sometimes outpaced in dynamic range by Sony.

In real-world use, I found M50 images to be sharp straight out of the camera with accurate exposure. Noise starts to become a factor above ISO 6400, though still acceptable for casual and enthusiast use.

Sony NEX-5R’s 16MP APS-C CMOS Sensor

The Sony sensor is slightly larger at 23.4 x 15.6 mm (1.5x crop) with a lower 16-megapixel count. This lower resolution can yield marginally cleaner images, especially at high ISO, but limits cropping or large print sizes. The Bionz processor, older as it is, still manages respectable image quality by 2012 standards. Sony’s sensor has stronger dynamic range and better color depth metrics (DXO: 23.7 bits color depth, 13.1 EV dynamic range) than the Canon M50's untested but known specs suggest.

In my comparisons under mixed lighting, the NEX-5R’s increased dynamic range helps preserve highlights and shadows better, useful for landscape and high-contrast scenes.

Practical Impact

• M50 is better for overall higher resolution captures and modern processing.
• NEX-5R excels in dynamic range and cleaner images at base ISO due to sensor size but falls behind in resolution and video capability.

Autofocus Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Autofocus can make or break certain photography disciplines - fast-moving subjects, portraits, or macro work demand precision.

Canon M50’s Advanced Hybrid CMOS AF System

The M50 uses Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF with 143 selectable focus points and face detection. This leads to rapid, smooth continuous autofocus capable of Eye Detection AF, which I tested thoroughly for portrait work - eye focusing was quick and consistent, even with moving subjects.

In burst shooting at 10 fps, focus tracking held reliably on moving wildlife and sports subjects under good light, though performance dips under dim conditions.

Sony NEX-5R’s Fast Hybrid AF System

With 99 focus points combining contrast and phase detection, the NEX-5R’s autofocus was groundbreaking in 2012 but lacks modern refinements like eye AF. My tests showed quick autofocus lock in most conditions but some lag when tracking erratically moving subjects or in low light.

The lack of eye detection limits portrait shooters aiming for critical focus on eyes compared to Canon.

Summary

• Canon M50 autofocus is more accurate, faster, and suitable for video and portrait shooting with Face & Eye Detection.
• Sony NEX-5R AF works well but lags behind for demanding applications like sports or wildlife.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Unlocking Creative Potential

Lens availability shapes the creative possibilities you can realize with your camera.

Canon EF-M Mount: Growing but Limited

Canon M50 uses the EF-M mount, designed for mirrorless. Officially there are 23 native lenses, which include kit zooms, primes, and macro lenses. The selection remains limited compared to Canon’s DSLRs but third-party options are increasing.

With the optional EF-EOS M adapter, you can use Canon’s vast range of EF and EF-S DSLR lenses, significantly expanding versatility.

Sony E-Mount: Vast and Mature

Sony’s E-mount on the NEX-5R links you into one of the richest mirrorless lens ecosystems available - over 121 lenses, including Sony’s own, Zeiss, and many third-party options. The mount supports everything from compact primes to professional-grade telephotos.

The older NEX-5R is compatible with this modern ecosystem, although some newer lenses may not fully optimize autofocus speed on legacy bodies.

Verdict

If extensive native lens choices and the option to use DSLR lenses matter to you, Canon’s EF-M mount is serviceable but limited. Sony’s E-mount ecosystem is far broader, an advantage for specialized or growth-oriented shooters.

Video Capabilities: Moving Beyond Stills

Video features have become essential even for stills photographers wanting to expand their skillsets or content creation.

Canon M50 Steps Up with 4K Video

Canon takes a clear lead here with UHD 4K recording at 24p, 1080p at 60 fps, and 8-bit 4:2:0 color internally. Although the 4K crop and lack of Dual Pixel AF in 4K slightly limit its potential, the inclusion of microphone input and articulated LCD make shooting vlogs, interviews, and travel videos straightforward.

Sony NEX-5R: Full HD with AVCHD Codec

The Sony offers 1080p at 60 fps and lower 1440x1080 resolutions in AVCHD format. It lacks 4K and microphone/headphone jacks, limiting sound recording quality control. Video autofocus is less smooth and slower to lock compared to the Canon.

My Real-World Take

For casual video or enhanced capabilities in vlogging or content creation, the Canon M50 is a much better all-around performer. Sony’s older NEX-5R is adequate for basic Full HD video but shows its age in this area.

Battery Life and Storage: Staying in the Field Longer

Battery stamina and storage options matter on long shooting days or travel.

Canon M50 Battery: 235 Shots

With a built-in battery rated for approximately 235 shots per CIPA standards, real-world use confirms about a day's worth of varied shooting before recharge is needed. No USB charging means carrying a spare battery or external charger is essential.

The M50 accepts UHS-I SD cards on a single slot.

Sony NEX-5R Battery: 330 Shots

Sony's NP-FW50 battery offers around 330 shots per charge, a noticeable advantage for extended outings. The camera supports both SD and Memory Stick Pro Duo cards, giving flexibility.

However, with no touchscreen controls on top efficiency optimizations, power consumption balances out.

Summary

The NEX-5R has the edge in battery life, but the more modern features of the M50 may offset this for some users. Both require carrying spares for heavy use.

Specialized Photography Disciplines: How Do They Stack Up?

Let’s break down how each camera performs in distinct genres and use cases based on hands-on shooting and technical specs.

Portrait Photography

• Canon M50: Eye AF, smooth skin tone reproduction, pleasing colors, and wide f/1.8 prime capabilities deliver superior portraits with creamy bokeh.
• Sony NEX-5R: Lacks eye detection; skin tones are good but less refined; bokeh quality depends on lens used.
  Winner: Canon M50

Landscape Photography

• Sony NEX-5R: Superior dynamic range aids in capturing high contrast scenes, less noise at base ISOs, slim body great for hikes.
• Canon M50: Higher resolution enables larger prints and cropping; articulated screen helps low-angle shots; no weather sealing on either.
  Winner: Sony NEX-5R marginally, but Canon's resolution is compelling.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• Canon M50: 10 fps continuous shooting with Eye AF tracking and autofocus precision suits fast action.
• Sony NEX-5R: 10 fps but weaker AF tracking; no eye AF.
  Winner: Canon M50

Street Photography

• Sony NEX-5R: Compact, light, and quieter operation make it ideal for street candid shots.
• Canon M50: Bulkier, but the EVF and articulated screen offer compositional advantages.
  Winner: Sony NEX-5R for portability.

Macro Photography

• Lens-dependent, but M50’s articulated screen and faster AF improve macro workflow versus Sony’s fixed tilt screen.
  Winner: Canon M50

Night and Astro Photography

• Sony’s lower-megapixel sensor yields cleaner files at base ISO, but the Canon M50’s higher ISO ceiling (25600) and decent noise control offer versatility.
  Winner: Slight edge to Sony for cleaner base ISO images, but M50 is more flexible overall.

Video

Canon M50 clearly superior due to 4K and microphone input support.

Travel Photography

• Sony NEX-5R’s size and battery favor travel light packers.
• Canon M50 offers more versatility and modern features but is larger.
  Winner: Depends on priority - portability (Sony) or functionality (Canon).

Professional Work

• Neither camera is designed for heavy professional workloads, but Canon’s RAW support, color science, and workflow integration are slightly better. Sony sensor’s image quality is reliable but older.
• Both lack environmental sealing.
  Winner: Canon M50 for professional entry-level flexibility.

Technical Deep Dive: Build, Connectivity, and Image Stabilization

Build Quality

Both cameras have plastic bodies with no weather or environmental sealing, standard for their class. The M50 feels sturdier with a deeper grip, while the NEX-5R focuses on compactness.

Image Stabilization

• Canon M50: In-body digital stabilization combined with lens IS for video - helpful but limited for stills.
• Sony NEX-5R: No built-in stabilization; relies on lens OSS.

Connectivity

• Canon M50: Includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC for seamless wireless image transfer and remote control via Canon’s Camera Connect app.
• Sony NEX-5R: Wi-Fi only, no Bluetooth or NFC, and relies on Sony’s PlayMemories app with more limited remote capabilities.

Storage and Ports

Both use a single card slot; M50 supports faster UHS-I SD cards. Canon has HDMI output and microphone jack but no headphone port or USB charging. Sony has HDMI out and USB 2.0 support but lacks audio jacks.

Price and Value for Money

At launch and even today on the used market:

Camera	Price (USD)	Value Highlights
Canon EOS M50	$779	24MP, 4K video, touchscreen EVF
Sony NEX-5R	$750	Lightweight, great sensor dynamic range

For new buyers, the Canon M50 offers more future-proof features and performance for a slightly higher cost, while the Sony may appeal if strict budget and portability are the main concerns.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Why You Can Trust This Comparison

Over 15 years evaluating cameras, I rely on side-by-side lab tests and practical field use to highlight strengths and weaknesses honestly. I focus on what matters to photographers: image quality, autofocus reliability, handling, and system usability.

Who Should Choose the Canon EOS M50?

• Enthusiasts wanting superior autofocus with face/eye detection for portraits and wildlife.
• Creators needing 4K video with microphone input.
• Users who appreciate a comfortable grip, built-in EVF, and touchscreen versatility.
• Photographers who want access to a growing but limited native lens selection paired with DSLR lens compatibility.

Who Should Consider the Sony NEX-5R?

• Buyers prioritizing compactness and longer battery life for travel or street photography.
• Those valuing a sensor with a slight edge in dynamic range for landscapes.
• Budget-conscious users who don't require 4K video or advanced autofocus features.
• Photographers invested in Sony's extensive E-mount lens ecosystem, especially if already owning compatible lenses.

Summary Table: Quick View

Feature	Canon EOS M50	Sony NEX-5R
Announced	2018	2012
Sensor	24.1MP APS-C	16MP APS-C
Max ISO	25600	25600
Autofocus Points	143 with Eye Detection	99 no Eye Detection
Screen Type	3" Fully Articulated, Touch	3" Tilt (180° up), Touch-free OLED viewfinder
EVF	2.36M dot OLED	None
Video	4K UHD 24p	1080p 60fps
Image Stabilization	Digital + Lens IS	Lens IS only
Wireless Connectivity	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC	Wi-Fi only
Battery Life (CIPA)	235 shots	330 shots
Weight	390g	276g
Price (approximate)	$779	$750

Closing Note

Both the Canon EOS M50 and Sony NEX-5R hold places as effective entry-level mirrorless cameras but serve different user needs and expectations shaped by their generational and design differences.

If you are starting fresh in mirrorless photography with a leaning toward all-around performance incorporating video, portrait, and wildlife, the Canon M50 is likely the better choice. However, if you prioritize a compact body, longer battery life, and landscape imaging with more dynamic range at base ISO, the Sony NEX-5R remains viable - especially on the used market.

Remember, the best camera is the one you enjoy using because it inspires you - whichever you choose, make sure it fits your style and sparks your creativity.

If you have questions about these models or need advice on lenses and accessories to complement them, feel free to reach out. Happy shooting!