Canon recently announced the second iteration of the Canon EOS M50, one of the best-selling mirrorless cameras of all time. Like its predecessor, the Canon EOS M50 Mark II has a 24.1MP (APS-C) CMOS sensor and DIGIC 8 image processor, promising an equally powerful performance. Only a few enhancements have been made for the Mark II, however they indicate the camera will be an exciting upgrade for vloggers and content creators. We’ve compiled everything we know so far about the new camera below, including a side-by-side comparison of the Canon EOS M50 vs EOS M50 Mark II.
What We Know So Far
In our 2018 review of the Canon EOS M50, we identified it as a great travel camera thanks to its strong performance capabilities and lightweight build. The Mark II continues this tradition, offering the same powerful sensor and image processor within a slightly lighter body.
One of the biggest updates Canon has implemented for the EOS M50 Mark II is improving the autofocus. The eye and facial detection autofocus has been strengthened so that it can detect subjects that are further away from the camera, and now works even when AI Servo AF is enabled. If you’re not familiar with it, AI Servo AF mode should be used when you’re photographing a moving subject. It uses artificial intelligence to lock the focus to the subject even as they move. Another update for the Mark II is that AI Servo AF is now available when recording video as well, called Movie Servo AF mode.
The majority of the other updates made for the Canon EOS M50 Mark II cater to vloggers and content creators. A new vertical video shooting feature can be utilized to record vertically-oriented videos for social media, while built-in WiFi and Bluetooth makes it easy to wirelessly transfer photos and videos directly to your smartphone or computer. Additionally, thanks to a new web encoder built-in to the camera, you can wirelessly live stream video directly to YouTube.
Other refinements that vloggers in particular will appreciate include a new record button conveniently incorporated into the LCD touch screen, and a clean HDMI output. The HDMI output on the EOS M50 contains onscreen data, while the clean HDMI output option on the Mark II allows you to remove this from the display.
The EOS M50 Mark II is also compatible with Canon’s EOS Webcam Utility software, which allows you to easily use the camera as a webcam. This feature is particularly timely as online video communication has become more common due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
An unchanged sensor and image processor means that image quality output is no different from the EOS M50. The Mark II delivers the same beautifully colored, detailed imagery. Video output is also the same. The Mark II can record 24p UHD 4K video, albeit with the same crop that hinders 4K video on the EOS M50. Battery life, meanwhile, has been marginally improved.
Canon EOS M50 vs EOS M50 Mark II
Comparing the specs of the Canon EOS M50 vs EOS M50 Mark II highlights the differences between the cameras. While both cameras offer a powerful performance within a compact build, Canon has implemented several small enhancements that elevate the Mark II.
| Canon EOS M50 | Canon EOS M50 Mark II | |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | 24.1MP (APS-C) CMOS sensor | 24.1MP (APS-C) CMOS sensor |
| Image Processor | DIGIC 8 image processor with Auto Lighting Optimizer | DIGIC 8 image processor with Auto Lighting Optimizer |
| ISO | 100-25600 (H:51200) | 100-25600 (H:51200) |
| Video | 4K UHD 24p video and HD 120p Slow Motion | 4K UHD 24p video and HD 120p Slow Motion |
| High Speed Continous Shooting | Up to 10fps | Up to 10fps |
| Dual Pixel CMOS AF and Eye Detection AF | Yes | Yes |
| Movie Servo AF | No | Yes |
| Vertical Video Shooting | No | Yes |
| Clean HDMI Output | No | Yes |
| Wireless YouTube Livestreaming | No | Yes |
| Movie Record Button (LCD screen) | No | Yes |
| OLED Electronic Viewfinder with touch-and-drag AF | Yes | Yes |
| Vari-Angle Touchscreen LCD | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life (CIPA Compliant, On-Screen Shooting) | 235 Shots | 305 Shots |
| Approx. Dimensions (W X H X D) | 4.6 x 3.5 x 2.3 in. (116.3 x 88.1 x 58.7mm) | 4.58 x 3.47 x 2.31 in. (116.3 x 88.1 x 58.7mm) |
| Approx. Weight (With Battery & Memory Card) | 13.8 oz. / 390g | 13.69 oz. / 388g |
The Verdict
The Canon EOS M50 Mark II is now available for pre-order, body only or with a 15-45mm kit lens. It also comes in either black or white.
While there may not be enough updates to entice some M50 shooters to upgrade, the Mark II is definitively the better camera. It has improved autofocus capabilities, plus new features like the vertical video shooting, wireless live streaming, and the record button on the LCD screen should appeal to vloggers and content creators. The pre-order price is also $599 (body only), just $20 more than the EOS M50. That makes it an easy choice for anyone in the market for a new camera.
To learn what lenses you should pair with the M50 Mark II, check out our sister-post: The 5 Best Lenses for the Canon EOS M50 Mark II.
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Regular price: $749.00 -
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Regular price: $699.00
Hi Sir ! If my primary use is taking photographs (portrait), Is there any advantage of having M50 Mark II ?
Certainly. It’s a great hybrid model, so you can use it effectively for stills, video, or both. The 24.1MP sensor and DIGIC 8 image processor deliver great image quality, and the camera can handle high-speed continuous shooting at up to 10fps. That’s less relevant to portrait photography, but you’ll probably appreciate the improved face and eye AF capabilities. You can autofocus on your subject’s face faster and from further away on the Mark II than if you were using the original M50.
“but you’ll probably appreciate the improved face and eye AF capabilities. You can autofocus on your subject’s face faster and from further away on the Mark II than if you were using the original M50”.
Funny, I do not see that listed anywhere in any marketing material. My tests with the M50 show that it traces faces at distance very well. Lets face it, so to speak, you are not going to be concerned with individual faces shooting with a 50mm lens at 100 ft @ F/8.
Unless you are shooting video, the Mark II is not worth an upgrade and if you can get the Mark I at a discounted price it is well worth it.
Hi George, that’s great you’re satisfied with the original M50, although Canon has improved the Eye AF for the Mark II. I’ll refer you to their website: “With the EOS M50 Mark II, you can easily capture your subject quickly with the improved Eye Detection AF – allowing you to shoot even when the subject is far away. Eye Detection AF can also be used when the subject’s full body is in frame, to lock on the eyes from a further distance.”
Is the M50 Mark II worth switching to from a Rebel SL2, or should I consider another option?
Hi Joshua, you might want to think about moving to mirrorless. Switching from the Rebel SL2 to the M50 II will give you is a slightly smaller body, native mirrorless lens options and a slight upgrade for video, but for the increase in price you might want to think about upgrading to the Canon RP. Hope that helps!
I’m in love with the C-sensor – upgrading to a full frame camera for underwater use is going to require a full size 100 mm macro and a much larger port – which means more weight for the housing and a much bulkier package. I like the idea of the M50 Mark II for underwater.