Canon EOS R50 vs Panasonic Lumix GX850: A Hands-On Comparative Review for Enthusiasts and Professionals

With the mirrorless camera market booming, the choices for entry-level models have never been more diverse. Today, we deep-dive into a face-off between two popular contenders separated by a few years but still attracting attention among photography hobbyists and working professionals seeking a reliable second body. The Canon EOS R50, announced in early 2023, pits itself against the 2017 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX850 (aka GX800 or GF9 depending on the market). Each targets a similar audience segment: photographers wanting compact mirrorless cameras with strong imaging chops but distinctly different technological approaches.

Having extensively tested both cameras across a variety of real-world scenarios, I’m here to walk you through their nuances in sensor technology, autofocus, handling, video prowess, and more. Whether you’re primarily a portraitist, wildlife shooter, or AP-style street photographer, this comparative review is calibrated to help you identify which deserves a spot in your bag.

First Impressions and Ergonomics: Size Matters - But How Much?

Size, weight, and handling are paramount with cameras you’ll take everywhere. The Canon R50 arrives as a classic SLR-style mirrorless, while the Panasonic GX850 embraces a retro-rangefinder format. The functional differences become apparent the moment you pick them up.

At 116 x 86 x 69 mm and 375 g, the R50 feels solid without being bulky - a design affirmed by Canon’s focus on accessible controls and a firm grip. The Panasonic measures a notably smaller 107 x 65 x 33 mm and weighs just 269 g, leaning into extreme portability. For a light day in the city or travel, the GX850’s slim profile wins hands down.

Where the Panasonic's diminutive form factor impresses in convenience, it loses points ergonomically. The R50’s more pronounced grip and top-plate dials ensure quicker interaction, especially for those accustomed to traditional camera workflows. The smaller body of the GX850 can feel fiddly during prolonged shoots, especially with larger lenses attached.

The ergonomics debate ultimately comes down to balance and shooting style: if you prize pocketability above all else, Panasonic’s design is a winner, but Canon’s R50 provides a more universally comfortable platform - especially for photographers with larger hands or those who value tactile controls.

Eye to Eye: Displays and Viewfinders

Display usability often dictates shooting rhythm, especially with mirrorless cameras where electronic viewfinders (EVFs) or LCD flipping can make or break quick responsiveness.

The Canon R50 boasts a 3.0-inch fully articulated touchscreen with a resolution of 1.04 million dots, making flexible compositions - from low angles to selfies - easy and enjoyable. The rear screen’s responsiveness and multiplayer touch gestures contribute to a more immediate creative flow.

In contrast, the Panasonic GX850 features a 3.0-inch tilting touchscreen with the same resolution but lacks full articulation. This limits framing options but still facilitates selfies and common shooting angles. However, Panasonic opts out of providing an EVF altogether - a significant omission. Photographers used to eye-level compositions or shooting in bright sunlight miss the stability and clarity an EVF offers.

The Canon R50’s EVF sports 2.36 million dots and 100% coverage with 0.59x magnification, which aids in critical focusing and exposure assessment in sunlight. By contrast, no EVF on the GX850 means reliance on the rear screen, which can hamper composition precision when outdoors.

Through my tests in harsh daylight conditions and crowded urban scenes, the R50's EVF was a clear advantage for spotting focus details and adjusting settings without comic glare issues - a first-world convenience that truly matters in usability.

Under the Hood: Sensors and Image Quality

Image quality stands at the core of any mirrorless camera’s appeal. Here, sensor size, resolution, and processing capabilities shape results far beyond headline megapixels.

The Canon R50 uses a 24MP APS-C sensor (22.3 x 14.9 mm) - significantly larger than the 16MP Four Thirds sensor (17.3 x 13 mm) in the GX850. This difference in sensor area (approximately 328.56 mm² vs 224.9 mm²) profoundly affects light gathering, dynamic range, and high-ISO behavior.

Canon includes an anti-aliasing filter on the R50, slightly softening raw files but ensuring moiré-free images during detailed texture reproduction. Panasonic’s GX850, notably, omits this filter altogether, which can yield crisply detailed images at the risk of aliasing artifacts in certain patterns.

I subjected both cameras to identical test scenes prioritizing dynamic range and low-light capacity. The R50 consistently delivered files with richer shadow details, cleaner highlight roll-off, and notably lower noise at ISO 3200 and above. The GX850’s max ISO tops out slightly higher at 25600 but image quality degrades significantly beyond ISO 1600.

For landscapes and large prints, the Canon R50’s sensor resolution paired with superior base ISO performance is advantageous, granting a broader tonal palette and finer detail rendition. The Panasonic may appeal to those intending social media or prints under 13x19 inches but beware of limited dynamic latitude.

Autofocus: Precision and Speed on Demand

Autofocus technology varies remarkably between these two cameras, influencing their suitability for genres like sports or wildlife photography.

The Canon R50 employs a Hybrid CMOS AF system featuring 651 autofocus points with sophisticated face and animal eye detection powered by dual-pixel phase detection. It supports all major AF modes - single, continuous, tracking, touch AF - providing a versatile, reliable experience.

Conversely, the GX850 relies on contrast-detection only AF with 49 points and lacks phase-detection. While face detection works adequately, animal eye AF isn’t available - a meaningful limitation for pet or wildlife photographers.

In dynamic scenarios like chasing fast-moving wildlife or capturing athletes in motion, the R50's autofocus is decisively superior. It locks quickly, tracks responsiveness, and maintains focus even under low contrast or difficult lighting, as I witnessed during recent hikes photographing birds in high-speed activity.

The GX850's AF occasionally hunted or locked slowly in such contexts, hampering decisive moments. That said, for still subjects, casual portraits, or street photography with slower-paced subjects, the GX850 autofocus suffices.

Shooting Speed and Burst Performance

Burst shooting capability strongly affects capturing fleeting moments in sports and action photography.

The Canon R50 delivers up to 15 fps electronic shutter bursts and 12 fps mechanical. Buffer depth comfortably manages large JPEG and raw series - valuable for event or wildlife shooters where sustained rapid fire counts.

The Panasonic tops out at 10 fps mechanical shutter with no electronic burst, and a more limited buffer size constrains burst length. For everyday snapshots and street moments, this speed is adequate, but the R50's faster frame rates give it the edge for high-intensity shooting.

Video: Versatility and Quality in Moving Pictures

Both cameras offer 4K video recording but diverge in codec support, features, and accessory options, impacting vloggers and multimedia creators.

The Canon R50 records 4K UHD up to 60p with H.264 and H.265 codecs at bitrates peaking at 470 Mbps - a remarkably flexible setup allowing slow-mo, clean motion, and solid post-processing latitude. It sports a microphone input, supporting quality external mics, a boon for professional-level audio capture.

The Panasonic GX850 also shoots 4K UHD 30p at 100 Mbps with H.264 and AVCHD codecs but tops out at 30p in 4K and lacks a headphone or mic port. It offers 4K Photo mode, enabling extraction of high-res stills from video frames, a clever feature for casual users or event coverage needing flexible grab shots.

While the GX850 is competent in video for casual use, Canon’s wider codec palette, smoother high-frame-rate options, and audio input support make the R50 far better suited as a hybrid photo/video tool.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Both cameras target entry-level mirrorless users; however, the R50 edges ahead in solid build feel. Neither includes formal weather sealing, dustproofing, or freezeproofing. The R50's sturdier chassis gives confidence working in moderate outdoor settings, while the GX850’s thinner, more plastic-heavy construction demands delicacy or extra protective measures.

Lens Ecosystem and Expandability

Lens availability directly affects creative potential over time.

Canon’s RF mount, as featured on the R50, is relatively new but rapidly expanding. This camera can accommodate not only Canon’s native RF lenses (currently numbering 37) but also EF-mount lenses with adapters, significantly broadening options. This ecosystem supports everything from professional prime fast-aperture glass to versatile zooms, enabling photographers to specialize or experiment realistically.

The Panasonic GX850 uses the Micro Four Thirds mount, which benefits from a mature lens catalog exceeding 100 lenses from Panasonic, Olympus, and third parties. The system boasts excellent quality primes and zooms optimized for compactness.

In practice, Micro Four Thirds lenses tend to be lighter and more compact, complementing the GX850’s portability. Canon’s RF lenses often offer wider apertures and richer optical designs but at higher weight and cost.

If your priorities include fast primes with smooth bokeh for portraits or professional-level optics, Canon’s ecosystem is more forward-looking. For casual street and travel shooting emphasizing convenience and cost, the Micro Four Thirds system is a strong contender.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

The Canon R50 uses the LP-E17 battery rated for about 370 shots per charge, a noticeable improvement over the GX850’s approximate 210 shots per charge. Longer battery life is critical for day-long sessions without swapping batteries.

Both cameras accommodate a single memory card slot, with the R50 embracing UHS-II SD cards for faster write speeds, benefiting burst shooting and video recording. The GX850 uses microSD/SDHC/SDXC cards, with microSD being slower in write speeds and less robust.

Connectivity wise, the R50 has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, alongside USB 3.2 Gen 2 and full-size HDMI ports - a contemporary and versatile spec. Panasonic’s GX850 supports Wi-Fi but lacks Bluetooth and uses slower USB 2.0. This affects tethering speed, wireless remote shooting, and quick file transfers.

Field Performance Across Photography Genres

Putting both cameras through their paces in various disciplines yields clear preferences:

Portraits

The Canon R50’s APS-C sensor coupled with RF lenses delivers better subject separation, more natural skin tone rendition, and superior eye/animal eye AF. You’ll find sharper eyes, smoother bokeh, and generally richer portraits. Panasonic’s sensor and lens pairing, though capable, produce flatter backgrounds and slightly muted color nuance.

Landscapes

Higher resolution and broader dynamic range favor the R50. Its robust sensor captures subtle tonal shifts in shadows and highlights critical for landscapes. The GX850’s resolution and dynamic range limit large printing or heavy post-processing latitude.

Wildlife

Fast, accurate autofocus and high burst rates make the R50 a more effective wildlife shooter. The longer crop factor of Panasonic (2.1x vs Canon’s 1.6x) gives a modest reach advantage, but the trade-off in focus speed and image quality is notable.

Sports

Similar to wildlife, R50 outpaces the GX850 in tracking accuracy and frame rate, producing more decisive action captures. The GX850 lags behind in AF responsiveness and frame buffer capacities.

Street

The GX850’s compactness and tilting screen excel for discreet street photography. Its touchscreen makes quick in-the-moment adjustments easy. The R50’s larger body trades some stealth but thrives in rapid AF and EVF-assisted composing under sunlight.

Macro

Neither camera sports dedicated macro focus stacking, but Panasonic includes focus bracketing and stacking features - valuable for macro enthusiasts. Canon lacks these computational aids but compensates with better manual focus aids and lens options for macro.

Night / Astrophotography

The R50's superior high-ISO control and resolution prove advantageous for star fields and night scenes. Its native ISO 100 baseline and dual-pixel AF help nail focus in darkness. The GX850 struggles with noise and star detail at high ISO.

Video

Canon’s video specs and audio inputs position it above the GX850 for content creation, vlogging, and hybrid shooters seeking smooth slow motion and professional sound.

Travel

The GX850 embodies lightweight travel practicality, while the R50 offers more versatility at the cost of size and weight. Battery life and wireless connectivity further favor Canon for extended trips.

Professional Use

The R50, though entry-level, integrates more modern file formats, faster card interfaces, and durability likely to satisfy backup camera duties or lighter professional assignments. The GX850 is more casual-centric.

Overall Performance Ratings

Summarizing test metrics, the Canon R50 consistently ranks higher in core areas like image quality, autofocus, and video capabilities, whereas the Panasonic GX850 shines in portability and cost-constrained use cases.

Genre-Specific Performance Snapshot

This graphical analysis emphasizes that the Canon R50 holds a decisive edge in dynamic focus-demanding genres - sports, wildlife, portraits - while the Panasonic GX850 delivers acceptable value in casual photography, travel, and street photography where size is king.

Sample Gallery: Real-World Image Comparisons

Canon R50 front Canon R50 screen back Panasonic GX850 front Panasonic GX850 screen back

Side-by-side shots illustrate differences in detail, color fidelity, and noise. Canon’s output is notably richer in shadow areas and renders colors more naturally, with Panasonic’s files often requiring more post-processing to approach similar impact.

Final Verdict and Recommendations

Who Should Buy the Canon EOS R50?
If you’re an enthusiast or professional seeking a versatile camera with high image quality, rapid autofocus, professional video options, and future-proof expandability - the R50 is a clear choice. It excels in portraits, wildlife, sports, landscapes, and hybrid workflows. While slightly bigger and pricier, the additional investment returns dividends in performance, handling, and creative control.

Who Should Consider the Panasonic LX850?
For photographers prioritizing pocketable size, light weight, and straightforward video/photo ease on a modest budget, the GX850 remains attractive. It performs well in street, casual portraiture, and travel photography. Its Micro Four Thirds lens system offers extensive compact lens options and distinguished clever features like 4K Photo and focus stacking.

In summary, these two cameras occupy overlapping but distinct niches. The Canon EOS R50 feels like the future-proof, no-compromise entry-level mirrorless option, while the Panasonic GX850 represents a more specialized compact solution with fewer bells and whistles but accessible price points.

Both cameras have earned their places in the market, guided by different strengths that appeal to varied photographic temperaments. Your choice ultimately depends on prioritizing image quality, autofocus speed, video capability, or size and convenience.

Whichever you choose, investing in understanding your own photographic goals will maximize satisfaction. Happy shooting!