Nikon D500 vs Canon EOS M50

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Nikon D500 vs Canon EOS M50

APS-C 369.0mm²
20.9 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Nikon D500 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D500 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D500.
Compare Nikon D500 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D500 conclusion.

APS-C 332.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Canon EOS M50 Review.
How does it shoot? Canon EOS M50 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the EOS M50.
Compare Canon EOS M50 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon EOS M50 conclusion.

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Differences

Nikon D500 advantages over Canon EOS M50

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.
Fast startup
~0.30 vs 1.6 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

1240 vs 235 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
200 vs 36 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
200 vs 10 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
1638400 vs 51200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon EOS M50 advantages over Nikon D500

Less expensive
$649 vs $1597
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Longer video battery life
85 vs 50 minutes
Capture more video
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Thinner
58 mm vs 81 mm
Thinner
More pixels
24.2 vs 20.9 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Both provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Both provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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

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
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D500 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read EOS M50 User Reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D500

Body Only

Body Only
Body Only 100th Anniversary Edition
Kit with 16-80mm f/2.8-4 Lens

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon EOS M50

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Kit with 15-45mm Lens (Black)
Kit with 15-45mm Lens (White)
Kit with with 15-45mm and 55-200mm Lenses (Black)
Video Creator Kit (Black)

All EOS M50 Deals

Review Excerpt

Superb image quality; Great high ISO performance; Rugged, comfortable camera body; Sharp articulating touchscreen display; Excellent AF point frame coverage; Fast continuous shooting speeds; 4K UHD video; Built-in Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth.
Somewhat large for an APS-C camera; Expensive for a DX camera; 4K UHD video doesn't offer full DX field-of-view; No built-in flash; Still uses contrast-detect for Live View AF; Dual slots use two different card types (XQD and SD).
Read our Nikon D500 Review

Comfortable ergonomics and solid build; Versatile EVF and tilt-swivel, touch-screen LCD; Good image quality; Great performance for its class; New C-RAW format saves on raw file size; 4K video is an M-series first.
Somewhat limited dynamic range; JPEGs a little soft at base ISO, and more so at higher ISOs; Warm white balance under incandescent light; Poor battery life; Raw buffer is still shallow (but C-RAW helps).
Read our Canon EOS M50 Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-3 II

Nikon D500

Pentax K-3 II

$1598
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$830
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 II

Canon EOS M50

Pentax K-3 II

$579
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$830
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M50 vs Pentax K-3 II

Compared to Sony A68

Nikon D500

Sony A68

$1598
APS-C

Lens selection
Shoot 4K video

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D500 vs Sony A68

Canon EOS M50

Sony A68

$579
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$598
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M50 vs Sony A68

Compared to Canon EOS M5

Nikon D500

Canon EOS M5

$1598
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$679
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D500 vs Canon EOS M5

Canon EOS M50

Canon EOS M5

$579
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$679
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon EOS M50 vs Canon EOS M5

Compared to Pentax KP

Nikon D500

Pentax KP

$1598
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D500 vs Pentax KP

Canon EOS M50

Pentax KP

$579
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$999
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M50 vs Pentax KP

Compared to Sony A6400

Nikon D500

Sony A6400

$1598
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$898
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

Compare Nikon D500 vs Sony A6400

Canon EOS M50

Sony A6400

$579
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$898
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M50 vs Sony A6400

Compare Other Cameras?