Canon 50D vs Canon EOS M

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Canon 50D vs Canon EOS M

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APS-C 369.7mm²
15.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Canon 50D Review.
See real-world photos taken with the 50D.

APS-C 332.3mm²
18.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Canon EOS M Review.
How does it shoot? Canon EOS M in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the EOS M.
Compare Canon EOS M image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon EOS M conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon 60D
Compare 50D vs 60D

Succeeded by the Canon EOS M3
Compare EOS M vs EOS M3

Compare CANON 60D vs CANON EOS M3

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Differences

Canon 50D advantages over Canon EOS M

Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
Larger sensor
APS-C vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 4.99 vs 4.30 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.30 vs 2.7 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

640 vs 230 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
216 mm vs 88 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Less shutter lag
0.13 vs 0.74 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Faster JPEG shooting
6.3 fps vs 4.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
43 vs 13 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon EOS M advantages over Canon 50D

Less expensive
$600 vs $1399 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
EOS M test data on DxO Mark 50D test data on DxO Mark

827 vs 696 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Thinner
32 mm vs 73 mm
Thinner
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
18.0 vs 15.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Wider angle kit lens
29 mm vs 45 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Canon 50D

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Buy the Canon EOS M

Review Excerpt

Read our Canon 50D Full Review

Excellent image quality similar to Rebel T4i, T5i and SL1 DSLRs, with 18-megapixel APS-C-type sensor delivering considerable resolution for a mirrorless camera; Solid build and sleek design; Bright, high-resolution 3-inch LCD touchscreen monitor; Full 1080p HD video recording that's virtually silent with an STM lens.
Barely acceptable autofocus speed still lags far behind most mirrorless cameras despite firmware update fix; Limited physical controls and buttons, including no Program, Priority, or Manual on Mode dial; Lacks built-in flash or electronic viewfinder option; Only two compact EF-M mount lenses currently available.
Read our Canon EOS M Review

The Competition

Compared to Samsung GX-20

Canon 50D

Samsung GX-20

$1000
APS-C

HDMI out
More dots on screen

$1400
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 50D vs Samsung GX-20

Canon EOS M

Samsung GX-20

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
Touchscreen

$1400
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M vs Samsung GX-20

Compared to Pentax K-7

Canon 50D

Pentax K-7

$1000
APS-C

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$1300
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 50D vs Pentax K-7

Canon EOS M

Pentax K-7

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
Touchscreen

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M vs Pentax K-7

Compared to Sony DSLR-A550

Canon 50D

Sony DSLR-A550

$1000
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$859
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 50D vs Sony DSLR-A550

Canon EOS M

Sony DSLR-A550

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
Touchscreen

$859
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M vs Sony DSLR-A550

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Canon 50D

Sony NEX-5N

$1000
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon 50D vs Sony NEX-5N

Canon EOS M

Sony NEX-5N

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
Touchscreen

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M vs Sony NEX-5N

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Canon 50D

Sony NEX-5R

$1000
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

$499
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

Compare Canon 50D vs Sony NEX-5R

Canon EOS M

Sony NEX-5R

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
External Mic Jack

$499
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Canon EOS M vs Sony NEX-5R

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