Canon R50v Review

I know I’m a little behind the curve with a new Canon R50v review, but that’s because a) I paid for it with my own hard earned cash and b) I wanted to put it through it’s paces before committing my thoughts to this website.

Canon R50v Review

What is the Canon R50v and why is it creating such a fuss?

This new camera breaks a lot of new ground, and not just for Canon. Nominally it’s a version of the existing R50 mirrorless camera, but optimised for video.

That’s not the whole story though. It was released as one of a pair with the Canon Powershot V1. Another camera optimised for video, but with a built in, non changeable zoom lens and a smaller sensor. I wasted a week comparing specs and videos before I made up my mind which to buy.

The deciding factor was the Canon R50v has an APS-C sensor and it accepts any of the Canon RF fit lenses as well as some from Sigma who, with Canon’s cooperation have released several RF versions of their lenses.

I decided that good though the reviews are for the Powershot V1, I already had a DJI Pocket 3 video camera and what I was really after was something that would give me a better still than that product and slot into my camera collection alongside the Canon R7 which is also an APS-C sensor with RF fit lenses.

Let’s take a look at the specs..

The Specs that Matter (From Canon website)

Image Sensor

• Type Approx. 22.3 × 14.9 mm (APS-C) CMOS
• Effective Pixels 24.2MP
• Total Pixels 25.5MP
• Aspect Ratio 3:2
• Low-Pass Filter Built-in/Fixed
• Sensor Cleaning Not provided
• Colour Filter Type RGB Primary Colour
• Sensor Shift-IS No

Image Processor

• Type DIGIC X

Lens

• Lens Mount RF (natively supporting RF and RF-S lenses)
  EF and EF-S lenses can be attached using Mount Adapter EF-EOS R, EF-EOS R Control Ring Mount Adapter, Drop-in Filter Mount Adapter EF-EOS R
  EF-M lenses are not compatible
• Focal Length Equivalent to 1.6x the focal length of the lens with RF/RF-S and EF/EF-S lenses
• Image Stabilisation Lens / Digital only

Focusing

• Type Dual Pixel CMOS AF II
• AF System / Points100% horizontal and 100% vertical (Auto selection) 90% horizontal and 100% vertical (Manual selection)
  Max. 651 zones / 4503 positions for stills
  Max. 527 zones / 3713 positions for movies
• AF Working Range EV -5 – 20 (at 23°C & ISO100)
• AF Modes One Shot
  Servo AF
  Auto Switch (only in A+ mode)
• AF Point Selection Automatic selection: 651 Available AF areas when automatically selected
  Manual selection: 1-point AF (AF frame size can be changed) 4503 AF positions available stills (3713 Movies)
  Manual selection: AF point Expansion 4 points (up, down, left, right)
  Manual selection: AF point Expansion surrounding
  Manual selection: Flexible Zone AF 1-3 (all AF points divided into minimum 9 to 513 maximum focusing zones)
  Manual selection: Whole Area AF (Entire focusing area with 651 maximum focusing zones)
• AF Tracking Humans (Eyes/Face/Head/Body), Animals (Dogs, Cats, Birds and Horses) or Vehicles (Racing cars, Motor bikes, aircraft and trains)
• AF Lock Locked when:
  – shutter button is pressed halfway
  – customised button set to Metering and AF start is pressed in One Shot AF mode.
  – Using customised button set to AF stop in AI servo
• AF Assist BeamEmitted by built in LED or optional dedicated Speedlite (flash)
• Manual Focus Selected on lens / in camera menu for lenses without AF / MF switch
• Focus Bracketing Provided
• AF MicroadjustmentNot provided

Exposure Control

• Metering Modes Real-time with image sensor, 384-zone metering.
  (1) Evaluative metering (linked to All AF points)
  (2) Partial metering (Approx. 5.8% of viewfinder at centre)
  (3) Spot metering: Centre spot metering (Approx. 2.9% viewfinder at centre) AF point-linked spot metering not provided
  (4) Centre weighted average metering
• Metering Brightness RangeStills: EV -2 to 20 (at 23°C, ISO100, with evaluative metering)
  Movies: EV 0 to 20 (at 23°C, ISO100, with evaluative metering)
• AE Lock Auto: AE lock takes effect when focus is achieved
  Manual: By AE lock button in P, Av, Fv, Tv and M modes. Press again to cancel and once more to refresh. Enabled in all metering modes
• Exposure Compensation+/-3 EV in 1/3 stop increments (can be combined with AEB)
• AEBNot supported
• Anti-flicker ShootingYes. Flicker detected at a frequency of 100 Hz or 120 Hz
  High frequency anti-flicker shooting not provided
• ISO SensitivityOpenAuto 100-32000 (in 1/3-stop or whole stop increments)
  ISO can be expanded to H: 51200

Shutter

• Type Electronically controlled focal-plane shutter and Electronic rolling shutter function using the image sensor
• Electronic Shutter TypeRolling Shutter
• Speed Mechanical: 30-1/4000 sec (1/3 stop increments), Bulb
  Electronic: 30-1/8000 (1/3 stop increments), Bulb
• Shutter ReleaseSoft-touch electromagnetic release

White Balance

• Type Auto white balance with the imaging sensor
  AWB (Ambience priority/White priority), Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten light, White Fluorescent light, Flash, Manual, Colour Temperature Setting
• Settings Shoot to set white balance
• Shift1. Blue/Amber +/-9
  2. Magenta/Green +/-9
• Custom White Balance Yes, 4 settings can be registered by selecting an image on card
• WB Bracketing Not supported

Viewfinder

• Type Not provided

LCD Monitor

• Type Approx. 7.5 cm (3″) TFT colour LCD monitor, Approx. 1.04 million dots
• CoverageApprox. 100%
• Viewing Angle (Horizontally/Vertically)Approx. 150° vertically and horizontally
• CoatingNone
• Brightness Adjustment Manual: Adjustable to one of seven levels
  Colour Tone Adjustment: Not supported
• Touch Screen OperationsCapacitive method with menu functions, Quick Control settings, playback operations, and magnified display. AF point selection in still and Movies, touch shutter is possible in still photo shooting.

Flash

• Built-in Flash GN (ISO 100, meters)Not provided
• ModesE-TTL II Auto Flash, Manual, MULTI flash
• Red-Eye ReductionNot supported
• X-Sync1/250 sec. electronic 1st curtain
  Flash photography is not available with Electronic shutter.
• Flash Exposure Compensation+/- 3EV in 1/3 increments with EX series Speedlite flashes
• Flash Exposure BracketingYes (+/- 3EV in 1/3- or 1/2-stop increments with EX/EL series Speedlite flashes)
• Flash Exposure Lock Not supported
• Second Curtain Synchronisation Yes
• Multi-Function Shoe / HotShoe / PC TerminalHot shoe: 21-pin multi-function shoe only
• External Flash CompatibilityE-TTL II with EX/EL series Speedlite, wireless multi-flash support
• External Flash Control via camera menu screen

Shooting

• Modes Scene Intelligent Auto movies
  SCN Movie: Smooth skin movie, movie for close-up demos, movie IS mode
  Custom Movie Shooting Modes: C1 / C2 / C3
  Movie: Movie auto exposure, movie shutter priority AE, movie aperture priority AE, movie manual exposure
  S&F: S&F movie auto exposure, S&F movie shutter-priority, S&F movie aperture-priority, S&F movie manual exposure
  Still photo shooting: Program AE, Shutter-priority AE, Aperture-priority AE, Manual exposure, Bulb exposure, Scene inteligent auto, self portrait, portrait, smooth skin, panoramic shot, food, handheld night scene
• Special Scene ModesMovies: Smooth skin movie, movie for close-up demos, movie IS mode
  Stills: Self portrait, portrait, smooth skin, panoramic shot, food, handheld night scene
• Creative FiltersNot supported
• Picture Styles Auto, standard, Portrait, Landscape, Fine Detail, Neutral, Faithful, Monochrome, User Def. 1, User Def. 2, User Def. 3
• Colour Spaces RGB, BT.709, BT.2020, Cinema Gamut
• Image Processing HEIF to JPEG conversion: supported
  Cropping: Magnify/reduce, move, tilt correction up to 10°, aspect ratio
  Resizing: Supported (M / S1 / S2) for JPEG and HEIF images
  Creative Assist: Auto1, Auto2, Auto3, Vivid, Soft, Warm, Cool, Green, Shine, Lime, Peach, B&W, Blue, Purple, Normal
  Movie editing: Cut beginning, cut end, play, save, save compressed version
  Frame grab from 4K movies: Supported
• Drive ModesSingle, Continuous High+, Continuous High, Continuous Low, Self-timer (2s+remote, 10s+remote, continous)
• Continuous ShootingMax. Approx. 12 FPS with Mechanical shutter/1st curtain electronic shutter the speed maintained for 42 JPEG or 7 RAW images
  Max. Approx. 15 FPS with Electronic shutter the speed maintained for 28 JPEG or 7 RAW images
• Maximum Burst 95
• Interval TimerSupported: Shooting interval 1 sec. – 99 hr. 59 min. 59 sec., 01-9999 or unlimited

File Type

• Still Image Type RAW 14 bit: RAW and C-RAW (Canon original RAW 3rd edition)
  JPEG 8 bit: 4 compression options
  HEIF 10 bit: 4 compression options
  Complies with Exif 2.31 and Design rule for Camera File system 2.0
  Complies with Digital Print Order Format [DPOF] Version 1.1
• RAW+JPEG Simultaneous RecordingYes, any combination of RAW + JPEG or RAW + HEIF possible
• Image SizeRAW/ C-RAW: 6000×4000 (3:2 aspect ratio)
  JPEG/ HEIF:
  3:2 ratio (L) 6000×4000, (M) 3984×2656, (S1) 2976×1984, (S2) 2400×1600
  4:3 ratio (L) 5328×4000, (M) 3552×2664, (S1) 2656×1992, (S2) 2112×1600
  16:9 ratio (L) 6000×3368, (M) 3984×2240, (S1) 2976×1680, (S2) 2400×1344
  1:1 ratio (L) 4000×4000, (M) 2656×2656, (S1) 1984×1984, (S2) 1600×1600
• FoldersNew folders can be manually created and selected
• File Numbering(1) Continuous numbering
  (2) Auto reset
  (3) Manual reset
• File NamingPreset Code
  User setting 1
  User setting 2

EOS Movie

• Movie TypeXF-HEVC S YCC422 10 bit, H.265 / HEVC, YCbCr 4:2:2, MP4
  XF-HEVC S YCC420 10 bit, H.265 / HEVC, YCbCr 4:2:0, MP4
  XF-AVC S YCC 422 10 bit, H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC, YCbCr 4:2:0, MP4
  XF-AVC S YCC 420 8 bit, H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC, YCbCr 4:2:0, MP4
• Movie Size 4K UHD (3840 x 2160): 59.94, 50.00, 29.97, 25.00, 23.98 fps
  Full HD (1920 x 1080): 119.88, 100.00, 59.94, 50.00, 29.97, 25.00, 23.98 fps
• Colour Sampling (Internal Recording)YCbCr 4:2:2 / YCbCr 4:2:0
• Canon Log Canon Log 3
• Movie Length Max duration 2 hours (excluding High Frame Rate movies)
• High Frame Rate Movie Full HD 1920 x 1080 at 100 fps or 119.88 fps
  Recorded as 1/4-speed slow motion movie
• Frame Grab 8.3-megapixel JPEG still image frame grab from 4K UHD movie possible
  (HEIF only possible when HDR PQ is set)
• Bitrate / Mbps4K UHD XF-HEVC S YCC 4:2:2 10 bit (29.97p/25.00p/23.98p): Approx. 135 Mbps
  4K UHD XF-HEVC S YCC 4:2:0 8 bit(29.97p/25.00p/23.98p): Approx. 100 Mbps
  4K UHD XF-AVC S YCC 4:2:2 10 bit (29.97p/25.00p/23.98p): Approx. 150 Mbps
  4K UHD XF-AVC S YCC 4:2:0 8 bit (29.97p/25.00p/23.98p): Approx. 100 Mbps
  4K UHD (Crop) XF-HEVC S YCC 4:2:2 10 bit (59.94p/50.00p): Approx. 225 Mbps
  4K UHD (Crop) XF-HEVC S YCC 4:2:0 8 bit(59.94p/50.00p): Approx. 150 Mbps
  4K UHD (Crop) XF-AVC S YCC 4:2:2 10 bit (59.94p/50.00p): Approx. 250 Mbps
  4K UHD (Crop) XF-AVC S YCC 4:2:0 8 bit (59.94p/50.00p): Approx. 150 Mbps
  Full HD XF-HEVC S YCC 4:2:2 10 bit (119.88p / 100p): Approx. 100 Mbps
  Full HD XF-HEVC S YCC 4:2:2 10 bit (59.94p/50.00p/29.97p/25.00p/23.98p): Approx. 50 Mbps
  Full HD XF-HEVC S YCC 4:2:0 10 bit (119.88p / 100p): Approx. 70 Mbps
  Full HD XF-HEVC S YCC 4:2:0 10 bit (59.94p/50.00p/29.97p/25.00p/23.98p): Approx. 35 Mbps
  Full HD XF-AVC S YCC 4:2:2 10 bit (119.88p / 100p): Approx. 100 Mbps
  Full HD XF-AVC S YCC 4:2:2 10 bit (59.94p/50.00p/29.97p/25.00p/23.98p): Approx. 50 Mbps
  Full HD XF-AVC S YCC 4:2:0 8 bit (119.88p / 100p): Approx. 70 Mbps
  Full HD XF-AVC S YCC 4:2:0 8 bit (59.94p/50.00p/29.97p/25.00p/23.98p): Approx. 35 Mbps
• Dual Card Recording Not supported
• Microphone Built-in stereo microphone (48 KHz, 24/16-bit x 2 channels)
• HDMI DisplayOutput to external monitor only (output of images and shooting information, images/video are recorded to the card)
  Camera screen and External Monitor output (Recording to camera is not possible, use with external recorder, camera screen shows images with shooting information)
• HDMI OutputHDMI Micro OUT terminal (Type D)
  Auto:
  – 4K (UHD): NTSC (59.94p / 29.97p / 25.00p), PAL (50.00p / 23.98p)
  – 1080 NTSC (59.94p / 59.94i), PAL (50.00p / 50.00i)
  – 480 NTSC (59.94p)
  – 576 PAL (50.00p)
  1080p:
  – 1080 NTSC (59.94p), PAL (50.00p)
  – 480 NTSC (59.94p)
  – 576 PAL (50p)
  HDR Specification: Rec. ITU-R BT.2100
  Bit depth: 10 bits
  Colour sampling method: Uncompressed YCbCr 4:2:2
  Colour space: BT.709 / BT.2020
• Focusing Dual Pixel CMOS AF II with Eye/Face Detection and Tracking AF (people, animals and vehicles) , Movie Servo AF, Manual Focus
• ISO Custom Picture [OFF]:
  100-12800, H: 16000-25600
  Custom Picture [Canon 709 / PQ / HLG / Canon Log 3]:
  400-12800, L: 100-320, H: 16000-25600
  Custom Picture [BT.709 Standard]:
  160-1200, L: 100-125, H: 16000-25600

Interface

• Computer Hi-Speed USB 3.2 USB Type-C connector
  For computer communication / smartphone communication / battery charging / camera power supply
• Wi-Fi Wireless LAN (IEEE802.11ac/a/b/g/n) (5 GHz/2.4 GHz), with Bluetooth 5.1 support Features supported – EOS Utility, Smartphone, Upload to image.canon, Wireless printing
• Other HDMI Micro out (Type D, HDMI-CEC not supported)
  External Microphone In (3.5mm Stereo mini jack)
  Headphone OUT (3.5mm Stereo mini jack)

Storage

• Type SD/SDHC/SDXC and UHS-II

Supported Operating System

• PC Windows
• Macintosh macOS

Power Source

• Batteries Rechargeable Li-ion Battery LP-E17 (supplied)
• Battery Life With LCD Approx. 480 shots (at 23°C)
• Battery Indicator 4 level indicator
• Power SavingScreen dimmer: 5 sec. / 10 sec. / 15 sec. / 20 sec. /25 sec. / 30 sec. / Disable
  Screen off: 5 sec. / 15 sec. / 30 sec. / 1 min. / 3 min. / 5 min. / 10 min. / 30 min. / Disable
  Auto power off: 15 sec. / 30 sec. / 1 min. / 3 min. / 5 min. / 10 min. / 30 min. / Disable
• Power Supply & Battery Chargers Battery charger LC-E17E (supplied), AC Adapter AC-E6N and DC Coupler DR-E18, PD-E2 / PD-E1 USB power adapter

Overview

It’s clear from even a cursory glance at the specs that Canon mean business with this camera, it compares well with the Sony ZV-E10 II and the Sony A6700. I don’t own either of these cameras but my understanding is that many YouTubers use one or the other to record their content. Some reviewers are putting the Canon R50v ahead of the Sony offerings which is seismic given that Sony have effectively ruled the market in small video devices for years now.

Highlights

Support for Canon Log 3, APS-C sensor, 4K Support, Wireless network.

Canon Log 3 is important if you want to be more in control of color grading your videos. It’s the equivalent of RAW in still photography. Best avoided if you’re technically challenged!

APS-C sensor is excellent, apart from reaffirming Canon’s commitment to the format it enables the sharing of lenses with an R7 for example.

Configurability – The camera is highly configurable as you can probably tell from the specs, you can configure it as a point and shoot or as a pro level video camera, it records video in 4k, 4:2:2 making it compatible with BBC and Netflix broadcast requirements.

Weight – next to the Canon C100 that it is replacing, this camera is practically weightless and much better specced. It’s actually shocking how small it is and how much more power it packs.

Lowlights

No ND Filters. This is a definite disadvantage for shooting in bright sunlight, however the lens will take an external filter.

Battery Life – Short. I take three batteries out with me, but I’ve not so far had to use more than two.

No Viewfinder – is this a lowlight? the LCD screen is plenty bright enough for the Spanish summer, but of course this decreases battery life.

Videos

I’ve recorded a couple of videos, with and about this camera. These are fairly subjective impressions, not full reviews but you’ll get a flavour of the camera.

This video was shot almost exclusively with the Canon R50v using DJI Mic for sound.

This video is a fairly subjective test of the cameras capability as a stills camera. Shot largely inside an 11th century chapel in Shropshire with no artificial light, the results were impressive, reflecting particular well on the built in IS which enabled me to take photographs with shutter speeds as low as 1/20 second. Something I’ve never even thought about attempting before!

Lens Choice

Talking about APS-C lenses, Canon have several legacy lenses that can be used with an RF – EF adapter.

My recommendations, based on extensive use with a Canon 7D and more recently a Canon R7 are roughly in order. That is to say I would certainly pick up the legacy canon lenses to use with an EF to RF adapter and my preference is to buy Sigma lenses over the much more expensive Canon offerings. I already have over a dozen full frame Canon lenses and while they could all be used with an APS-C camera, I’m more interested in the relative weight than I am in the pixel peeping properties!

Legacy – Canon EF-S

Canon EF-S 17-55mm IS – this lens is astonishingly sharp, easily as good as most of the L series and a fraction of the price.

Canon EFS 10-22 mm f/3.5 – the widest lens for this sensor type. Equivalent of 16mm on full frame. Another old favourite that you can pick up second hand for buttons.

Current – Sigma RF-S

Sigma 16-300mm F3.5-6.7 DC OS Contemporary – Superzoom with excellent reviews, great for travel photography. Review to follow.

SIGMA 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary – on my list as a low light alternative to the Canon RF-S 14-30mm f/4 – f/6.3 PZ

SIGMA 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary

SIGMA 16mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary – also on my list. With a 1.4 aperture, this lens should be ideal for video work.

SIGMA 23mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary

SIGMA 30mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary

SIGMA 56mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary

Current – Canon RF-S

Canon RF-S 14-30mm f/4 – f/6.3 PZ – this is the lens I bought after much deliberation, largely for the power zoom which adds a cinematic feel to some shots. Very pleased with it.

RF-S 10-18mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM

RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM

RF-S 18-45mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM

RF-S 55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM

There are also a couple of specialist lenses available from Canon, the VR dual fisheye RF-S 3.9mm F3.5 STM DUAL FISHEYE and the slightly more elegant RF-S 7.8mm F4 STM DUAL LENS

As you can see, Sigma are entering this market with a bang. Coming in at in some cases 35% of the price of the Canon lenses, these represent real value for money and as they will also work with the Canon R7, I’m pretty excited about the choices.

Conclusion

I believe this camera will breathe new life into the APS-C market where Canon have often been perceived as lacking faith. The arrival of the R7 provided some counter to that perception but the R50v is a whole different ball game.

On an entirely subjective level I love this camera, it’s light as a feather and while not exactly pocketable it’s small enough to be an everyday camera. The quality of the video is excellent, IS is superb and there is an increasingly large selection of lenses available. I wouldn’t necessarily buy it if it were to be my only camera, but if I was on a desert island, I wouldn’t complain either!

I think this will be a winner for Canon and for the users. It’s fantastically over specced for the price and paired with a good lens, I think it will swiftly become ever present in my bag.

Check out Transitioning from DSLR to Mirrorless