It’s been more than two years since Canon released the original EOS R50. At the time, it proved to be not only the best photography camera for beginners but also a perfect choice for those looking to break into videography. Essentially, the Canon EOS R50 was the beginner’s hybrid camera.
However, a lot has changed since its release in 2023, and with the new Canon EOS R50 V now available, does the original R50 still hold its title? The short answer is no, but there’s more to the story than that.
While the Canon EOS R50 V isn’t the latest, greatest hybrid camera set to overtake the R50, it’s actually not trying to do that. It’s doing quite the opposite. Canon doesn’t intend for the R50 V to replace the R50. Instead, it aims to complement it by offering a version of the camera for those who want a hybrid camera with a more video-focused design.
And it accomplishes that well; let’s take a look at how.
The Canon EOS R50 V on paper
The camera’s sensor
Let’s start with the Canon EOS R50 V’s sensor. Inside, this compact mirrorless camera features a 24.2 MP APS-C CMOS sensor. It offers the same resolution as the original R50 and also comes with Canon’s DIGIC X image processor. As a result, the R50 V delivers better performance for both stills and video.
Although this is a standard APS-C sensor, it has a 1.6x crop factor. That means if you want a 50 mm field of view, you’ll need a lens around 31 mm.
While there’s no in-body image stabilization, most RF-S lenses come with built-in IS. And with an ISO range from 100 to 32,000 (expandable to 51,200), the camera is also well equipped for low-light shooting.
Video shooting specs
Now, onto the video features. The Canon R50 V records UHD 4K video at up to 60p with 10-bit 4:2:2 color using XF-AVC S or XF-HEVC S formats. That means cleaner color, more editing flexibility and smoother gradients when color grading. You can also shoot high-frame-rate 1080p video at up to 120 frames per second, which is great for slow-motion shots.
Canon also added support for Canon Log 3, HDR-HLG, HDR-PQ and Rec. 709. With C-Log 3, you can squeeze even more dynamic range out of your footage. Just note that there’s a two-hour record limit in 4K or one hour in 4K HFR. However, that should be more than enough for most content creators.
Vertical shooting to the forefront
The Canon EOS R50 V features something pretty unique — something we’re surprised more vlogging cameras don’t include: a front-facing record button. It’s a pro-vlogging creature comfort you’ll be glad to have once you’ve used it.
Another standout feature is the second 1/4-inch-20 female mount on the side of the camera. This lets you attach a stabilizer and shoot vertical video if you want to.
Along with the front button, the 3.0-inch vari-angle touchscreen LCD flips forward for selfie-style framing. This makes it easy to monitor your shot, check focus and exposure, and adjust settings without needing a second person. It also supports full touchscreen menu control, making it simple to navigate settings from the front of the camera.
Dynamic range
The camera captures about 12 stops of dynamic range in 10-bit C-Log 3 footage. While that’s not quite cinema-level range, it’s still strong for a camera in this price category. It gives you enough room to recover highlights or shadows when needed, especially in harsh lighting.
Autofocus
Autofocus is handled by Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF II system. It offers 4,503 phase-detection points for stills and 3,713 for video. It’s fast and accurate, with solid subject tracking even in low light. In our hands-on testing, face and eye detection stayed locked even when the subject moved off-center.
Audio capture
The R50 V includes a built-in stereo mic, but it also comes with both a 3.5 mm microphone input and a headphone output. That’s a big deal at this price. You can plug in a shotgun mic or lav mic and still monitor your audio levels live. That means fewer surprises when you sit down to edit. It’s not a professional audio rig, but it’s great for YouTubers, streamers and anyone recording talking-head content.
Putting the Canon EOS R50 V to the test
The Canon EOS R50 V is designed for content creators and those filming on the go. So, what better way to put it to the test than to travel with the camera ourselves? We took it on a trip to the beautiful country of the Philippines. During our stay, we tested the camera in three locations: Manila Ocean Park in Metro Manila, northern Batanes and Sabtang Island. Here’s what we found out during our testing.
It’s incredibly easy to travel with
Between the two 14-hour flights, the many hours spent at airports and the various drives on trikes in Batanes, the camera never felt cumbersome to carry around in hand or slung across a shoulder in a camera bag. The camera itself is built lightweight, but it never crosses into the territory of feeling cheap.
It’s also worth noting the camera’s durability. Travel can be tough on gear, but the Canon EOS R50 V handled every step of our trip with ease. Even after returning, the camera still looks like it just came out of the box.
After our experience traveling with the Canon EOS R50 V, we can confidently say its build is ideal for vloggers and content creators.
It’s easy to get good-looking photos and videos without much fuss
While there are various ways to adjust the camera’s image, it’s mostly designed to capture good-looking video with minimal effort. There were times when the image became blown out due to the intense sun in the Philippines (and there was a lot of it), but a quick adjustment to the camera’s ISO and white balance helped properly expose the shot. That said, the camera’s automatic image correction does a great job overall when it comes to color.
If you want to get creative, the camera offers color filters you can apply to your footage. However, for our purposes, we chose to keep the filters off. These filters are a good option for those who want to keep post-production work to a minimum, but professionals will likely prefer to apply their own color grading after filming.
One of the standout features of this camera is its autotracking. On this trip, we did a lot of run-and-gun shooting, which meant constantly changing subjects and scenery. So, having a reliable autofocus system was a must. Thankfully, the Canon EOS R50 V’s autofocus, both manual and automatic, performed spectacularly. We never struggled to get the image in focus. It worked especially well in the bird enclosure, where the camera’s autofocus automatically detected birds.
It also handled tracking shots nicely, keeping subjects in focus as we moved along a path leading to a local church on Sabtang Island.
We did, however, notice some rolling shutter while shooting in 4K. This was mainly apparent during rapid camera movements or when recording on a bumpy road while riding a trike.
As for stills, while the camera is geared toward video, it’s no slouch when it comes to photography. For example, when we took close-up shots of the bird enclosures at Manila Ocean Park, the camera captured a ton of sharp, fine detail. Even in the low-light surroundings of the indoor fish tanks, it performed well.
No IBIS
One issue we had with this camera is that it lacks in-body image stabilization (IBIS). While it does offer digital stabilization, we found that image quality takes a hit when relying on it. For a camera that’s more video-focused, having IBIS would make it even better.
Many users will likely pair this camera with a stabilizer, so you won’t have to rely solely on its digital stabilization. Still, that adds to the overall cost of your setup.
Canon EOS R50 V vs. the Canon EOS R50
Overall, both the Canon EOS R50 V and the Canon EOS R50 are great cameras for beginners. The one you choose should come down to what you plan to use the camera for. The Canon EOS R50 V’s layout is designed specifically for videographers. For instance, its mode dial is tailored to video shooting modes, unlike the original. Additionally, it can shoot 4K 60p (cropped) and 4K 30p oversampled from 6K, with 10-bit 4:2:2 color depth. Its maximum record time is also longer, offering two hours compared to the R50’s one hour. Plus, with the front-facing record button and the side tripod mount, the Canon EOS R50 V is much more user-friendly for video shooters.
It’s also worth noting that if you plan to shoot as many photos as videos, the Canon EOS R50 V doesn’t include a viewfinder. That’s a drawback to consider.
Ultimately, the Canon EOS R50 V, for only $699, is a perfect camera for videographers looking to step up their video game from their smartphones with a dedicated camera. Additionally, it’s compatible with various lenses, allowing it to grow with you as your gear evolves. It’s easy to pick up and capture great video, and that’s why it’s currently the best beginner video camera right now.
Strengths
- Portable
- 4K 30p oversampled from 6K
- Price
- Front-facing record button
- Reliable autofocus
Weaknesses
- No viewfinder
- Some rolling shutter while shooting in 4K
Tech specs
| Lens mount | Canon RF |
| Sensor resolution | Effective: 24.2 megapixel (6,000 x 4,000) |
| Image sensor | 22.3 x 14.9 mm (APS-C) CMOS |
| Sensor crop (35 mm equivalent) | Crop factor: 1.6x *Additional crop occurs in select video modes |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Built-in ND filter | No |
| Capture type | Stills & Video |
| Shutter type | Electronic rolling shutter |
| Shutter speed | Electronic shutter 1/8000 to 30 seconds Electronic front curtain shutter 1/4000 to 30 seconds |
| Bulb/Time Mode | Bulb & Time Mode |
| ISO/gain sensitivity | Native: 100 to 32,000 (100 to 51,200 extended) |
| Metering method | Center-Weighted Average, Evaluative, Partial, Spot |
| Exposure modes | Aperture Priority, Auto, Manual, Program, Shutter Priority |
| Exposure compensation | -3 to +3 EV (1/3 EV steps) |
| Metering range | -5 to 20 EV |
| White balance | 2,500 to 10,000K Presets: Auto, Cloudy, Color Temperature, Custom, Daylight, Flash, Fluorescent (White), Manual, Shade, Tungsten |
| Continuous shooting | Up to 15 fps at maximum resolution for up to 36 Frames (Raw) / 95 Frames (JPEG) |
| Interval recording | Yes |
| Self-timer | 2/10-second delay |
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 3:2, 4:3, 16:9 |
| Image file format | C-RAW, HEIF, JPEG, RAW |
| Internal recording | XF-AVC S/XF-HEVC S 4:2:2/4:2:0 8/10-bit UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.98/25/29.97/50/59.94 fps [100 to 250 Mb/s] 1920 x 1080 at 3/6/12/23.98/25/29.97/50/59.94/100/120 fps |
| Video output | HDMI 1920 x 1080 |
| Fast-/slow-motion support | Yes |
| Gamma curve | Canon Log 3, HDR-HLG, HDR-PQ, Rec709 |
| Recording limit | Two-hour maximum in 4K One-Hour Maximum in 4K HFR |
| IP streaming | No |
| Built-in microphone | Stereo |
| Audio recording | Two-channel 16-bit 48 kHz AAC audio |
| Media/memory card slot | Single slot: SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| Video I/O | 1x micro-HDMI output |
| Audio I/O | 1x 1/8-inch / 3.5 mm TRS stereo headphone output 1x 1/8-inch / 3.5 mm TRS stereo microphone input |
| Power I/O | 1x USB-C input |
| Other I/O | 1x Canon E3 (2.5 mm Sub-Mini) remote input 1x USB-C (USB 3.2 / 3.1 Gen 2) data output (shared with power input) |
| Wireless | 2.4 / 5 GHz Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Bluetooth 4.2 control |
| Mobile app compatible | Yes: Android & iOS App name: Canon Camera Connect Functionality: Access Stored Files, Adjust Settings, Firmware Update, Remote Control, View Live Feed |
| Global positioning (GPS, GLONASS, etc.) | GPS *Via connected smartphone |
| Display size | 3 inches |
| Resolution | 1,040,000 dot |
| Display type | Articulating touchscreen LCD |
| Viewfinder type | No viewfinder support |
| Focus type | Auto and Manual Focus |
| Focus Mode | Continuous-Servo AF, Manual Focus, Single-Servo AF |
| Autofocus points | Photo Phase Detection: 4503 Video Phase Detection: 3713 |
| Autofocus sensitivity | -5 to +20 EV |
| Built-in flash/light | No |
| Maximum sync speed | 1/250 second |
| Flash compensation | -3 to +3 EV (1/3 EV steps) |
| Dedicated flash system | eTTL |
| External flash connection | Shoe mount |
| Battery | 1x LP-E17 rechargeable lithium-ion, 7.2 VDC, 1040 mAh (included) |
| Shoe mount | 1x hot shoe |
| Tripod mounting thread | 1x 1/4-inch-20 female (bottom) 1x 1/4-inch-20 female (side) |
| Operating conditions | 32 to 104°F / 0 to 40°C up to 85% humidity |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 4.6 x 3.4 x 2.7 inches / 116 x 85.5 x 68.8 mm |
| Weight | 11.4 oz / 323 g (body only) 13.1 oz / 370 g (with battery, recording media) |
