Canon EOS M50

The Canon EOS M50 is a 2018 mirrorless camera built around a 24MP APS-C sensor and the EF-M lens mount. At 390g and 116 x 88 x 59mm, it is light and small enough to carry every day without weighing you down.

That combination suits photographers stepping up from a phone or compact camera who want interchangeable lenses and an electronic viewfinder without a bulky body. The flip-out touchscreen and built-in flash keep it practical for everyday and travel shooting.

The 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor sits at the heart of the stills system, paired with the Digic 8 processor. The EF-M mount ties the camera to Canon's mirrorless lens line, so lens choice comes from that system.

For moving subjects, the camera can shoot at up to 10fps, though that is a maximum rate rather than a sustained one. Autofocus uses 143 points, and the ISO range runs from 100 to 25600, spanning bright outdoor light through to dim interiors.

The electronic viewfinder offers an eye-level view with 2.36 million dots, giving a detailed display for composing shots.

Two constraints shape how you shoot. The 1/4000s maximum shutter speed can limit how wide you open the aperture in strong light at base ISO. And with no in-body stabilisation, shake control depends on the lens, your technique or a support such as a tripod.

The M50 records 4K video, giving footage enough detail to crop in editing or show on large screens. Files are saved in MPEG-4.

For slow motion, the maximum video frame rate is 120fps. That figure is the camera's peak rate, and it is not listed as a 4K mode, so treat slow motion and maximum resolution as separate options and check which pairing you need before a shoot.

A timelapse function is built in, so you can create moving sequences without buying an intervalometer. The flip-out screen helps here too, letting you set a framing once and monitor it comfortably while the camera works, with touch control available for quick adjustments.

The 3-inch TFT screen carries 1.04 million dots for a sharp, clear view and responds to touch, so menus, playback and settings can be changed directly on the screen. It also flips out, which helps when framing at awkward angles.

The camera offers both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, providing wireless connection options for use with compatible devices.

A built-in flash adds a little fill light indoors, and external flash units are supported when you need more output. Two absences to note: the body has no weather sealing, so keep it sheltered in rain and dust, and there is no built-in GPS receiver.

The M50 takes a single SD, SDHC or SDXC card, with UHS-I compatibility for faster card choices. With one slot there is no second in-body card position, so carry enough capacity and handle important cards carefully.

The LP-E12 battery is rated at 235 shots per charge, a figure without stated measurement conditions. Real-world endurance varies with settings and usage, so a spare battery is a sensible precaution for longer outings.

There is no USB charging, so the camera body cannot top up the LP-E12 battery from a laptop or power bank through USB. Plan charging around the battery system and carry enough charge for longer outings.