Canon EOS M50 vs Leica CL — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · Mirrorless · 24 MP · APS-C · 4K video
Canon EOS M50
59
SCORE
|
Leica · Mirrorless · 24 MP · APS-C · 4K video
Leica CL
65
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS M50 and Leica CL are both mirrorless cameras built around 24 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensors, so your files start from the same resolution and sensor format. The M50, released in 2018, uses the Canon EF-M mount, while the 2017 CL takes Leica L lenses, so native lens choices differ from the outset. The CL measures 131 x 78 x 45 mm against the M50's 116 x 88 x 59 mm, a slimmer, longer body beside the M50's taller grip. Weight stays close, with the M50 at 390 g and the CL at 403 g, a gap of 13 g between them. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2018 | 2017 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 26, 2018 | October 21, 2017 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 116 x 88 x 59 mm | 131 x 78 x 45 mm |
| Camera weight | 390 g | 403 g |
| Optics | 59/100 | 68/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe EOS M50 gives you far more autofocus positions to place on a subject, with 143 points against 49 on the CL. The comparison reverses for exposure control, where the CL offers 1/8000 second against the M50's 1/4000, a shorter fastest exposure for wide apertures in bright light. Native ISO reaches 50000 on the CL against 25600 on the M50, while the M50's expanded setting tops out at 51200 against the CL's unchanged 50000. The two match on burst shooting and viewfinding, which matters for action and composition. Both can shoot at up to 10 fps, and each has the same 2360000-dot electronic viewfinder. Neither offers in-body stabilisation, so steady handheld frames in dim light depend on shutter speed or a stabilised lens. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24 MP050 | 24 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
6000 x 4000 | 6014 x 4014 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
14.9 x 22.3 | 23.6 x 15.7 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
10 fps045 | 10 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Canon EF-M | Leica L |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Digic 8 | Maestro II |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
256003003280000 | 500003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
512003003280000 | 500003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 800080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
1430300 | 490300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 236000009900000 | 236000009900000 |
| Video | 91/100 | 83/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoSlow motion is where the EOS M50 leads for video, recording up to 120 fps against the CL's 60 fps, giving twice the slow-motion room at the top frame rate for sport or water splashes. Both cameras offer 4K resolution as their maximum, and each includes a built-in timelapse mode for sequences like drifting clouds. The CL records in more file formats, adding MOV and H.264 alongside MPEG-4. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 4K | 4K |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
120 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4 | MPEG-4, MOV, H.264 |
| Features | 70/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe EOS M50 is the more self-sufficient body for framing and fill light. Its rear screen flips out for vlogs, selfies and high or low angles, and it carries a built-in flash, while the CL's screen is fixed and it relies on an external flash unit. The two share a 3-inch 1040000-dot touch TFT LCD screen plus Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless transfer and remote control. Neither has GPS or weather sealing. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | No |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10400001150001500000 | 10400001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | No |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Storage & battery | 13/100 | 13/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryCard speed favours the CL for clearing long bursts: its slot supports UHS-II SD cards against UHS-I on the M50. Both take a single SD card, so there is no second slot for backup on either. The M50's LP-E12 battery is rated at 235 shots against 220 for the CL's BP-DC12, and neither charges over USB, so both rely on their external chargers. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible) |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | LP-E12 | BP-DC12 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
235 shots1505000 | 220 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the EOS M50 if you track moving subjects, film slow motion or shoot travel and vlogging work without extra gear: its 143 autofocus points, slow-motion frame rates, flip-out screen and built-in flash cover those situations directly. Choose the CL if you want the Leica L lens system, shoot wide open in strong sunlight with its 1/8000 second shutter, or need UHS-II card speed during bursts. Matching 24 megapixel APS-C resolution means image size does not separate them; your lens system and shooting style should.