Canon R50 Review: Is This Beginner Mirrorless Camera Better Than Your Smartphone?
- Trendy Wittystudio
- Mar 12
- 4 min read
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Thinking about ditching your smartphone for a "real" camera? The Canon R50 is making waves as a user-friendly mirrorless option, especially for beginners. I've been using the R50 for over a month now, shooting both photos and videos daily. Is it worth the hype? Let's dive in!
If you're the kind of person who prefers to watch a video, here's my full review.
Why I Chose the Canon R50
Before picking up the Canon R50, I was like many people, relying on my smartphone for all my photos and videos. While phone cameras have gotten incredibly advanced, I felt like I was hitting a wall in terms of quality and creative control. I wanted a dedicated camera that was small, lightweight, and easy to learn. Something I could grow with as I improved my skills. Upgrading to a dedicated camera like the R50 is a big jump in quality compared to what I was used to.
The Lens Choice: 18-150mm vs. Kit Lens
Initially, I bought the Canon R50 with the standard 18-45mm kit lens. However, I quickly decided to sell it and upgrade to the 18-150mm lens. Why? The 18-150mm lens is significantly more versatile, offering a much greater zoom range and better image quality. Yes, it's a bit bigger and heavier, but the trade-off is worth it for the added flexibility.
I chose the 18-150mm over a two-lens kit (which would typically include a 55-210mm lens in addition to the 18-45mm) because I wanted a single, do-it-all lens. I didn't want to constantly switch lenses while I was out and about. Keep in mind, the Canon RF-S 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM lens isn't cheap. With an MSRP around $500, it's almost as expensive as the R50 body itself!
Affordable Accessories: The JJC Lens Hood
To protect my lens and reduce unwanted flare, I picked up a JJC LH-66F lens hood from Amazon. It's a cheap and effective alternative to the official Canon lens hood. It blocks extra light from hitting the lens, which can cause unwanted flaring in your photos.
Build Quality and Design
The Canon R50 is often recommended as a first "real camera" for those looking to step up from their smartphones. The body is made of plastic with a rubber coating on the front for a better grip. Despite being plastic, it feels solid and well-built. There's no creaking or flexing, and the lightweight design makes it perfect for traveling. Plus, it has a built-in flash that you can manually pop up when needed.
Ease of Use and Interface
Canon has done a great job making the R50 easy to use, even for beginners. The button layout is simple, and the touchscreen interface is intuitive. You can easily adjust settings like autofocus and shooting modes with a tap. The Canon interface is straightforward, which I really appreciate.
Image and Video Quality
One of the biggest reasons to upgrade to a dedicated camera like the Canon R50 is the improved image and video quality. The difference compared to a smartphone is huge! The R50 has plenty of point-and-shoot options, including an auto mode and a "Creative Assist" mode with various filters and presets. There's also an advanced AI mode that shoots in HDR, merging three images into one for better dynamic range. This is super helpful in tricky lighting situations.
And of course, the R50 has a flippy screen, which is a must-have for vlogging!
Video Capabilities
I primarily shoot in manual mode for photos and movie mode for videos. The Canon R50 can record 4K video at 30fps. It can also shoot slow-motion video at 1080p at 120fps. The autofocus is excellent, tracking animals and people quickly and accurately.
Another great feature is the Canon app, which makes it easy to transfer photos and videos to your smartphone via Bluetooth. This is incredibly convenient when you're on the go.
Cons and Drawbacks
Of course, no camera is perfect. Here are a few drawbacks I've found with the Canon R50:
Battery Life
The battery life isn't great. The R50 uses an LP-E17 battery, and I typically get around 2-3 hours of mixed photo and video shooting before it runs low. I'd recommend picking up a spare or two, especially if you plan on shooting all day. You can find replacement LP-E17 batteries at retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.
Comfort
The small body can be a bit uncomfortable to hold for extended periods. I sometimes accidentally press buttons while gripping the camera.
Autofocus Quirks
While the autofocus is generally excellent, it can sometimes struggle with specific situations. For example, when recording product demos, it may have trouble focusing on the subject and instead focus on the background.
Lens Options
The selection of first-party (Canon) RFS lenses is limited. RFS lenses are designed for crop sensor bodies like the R50. While you can use full-frame RF lenses, they tend to be more expensive.
Overheating
The Canon R50 can overheat when recording in 4K 30fps for longer than 30 minutes continuously. The camera displays a heat indicator when it's getting too hot. However, overheating isn't usually an issue when recording short clips.
Lack of Weather Sealing
The Canon R50 isn't dust or water-resistant, so you'll need to be careful when shooting in harsh environments.
Final Verdict
Despite its drawbacks, the Canon R50 is a fantastic first camera. The image quality is excellent, and it's a huge step up from a smartphone. It's also easy to learn and use, with modern features borrowed from Canon's higher-end cameras. If you're looking for an affordable and capable mirrorless camera, the Canon R50 is definitely worth considering.
