Is the Canon M50 Still Worth Buying Used? Settings, Lenses and Problems

Is the Canon M50 Still Worth Buying Used? Settings, Lenses and Problems

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The quick answer

Yes, a used Canon M50 is still worth buying if you want a tiny camera for photos and 1080p video at a low price. I've owned it three or four times, used it for YouTube videos and paid shoots, and I still think it's one of the best budget cameras for social media content. When I filmed my videos, used M50 bodies were going for under $400.

Skip it if you need usable 4K or want a lens system you'll keep upgrading. The 4K mode has weak autofocus and a big crop, and Canon has discontinued the EF-M mount. If you can spend more, the Canon R50 fixes almost all of the M50's video problems.

Prices below are what I quoted when I filmed each video, or a listing I checked on October 30, 2026.

Watch my Canon M50 video

Watch the full video on YouTube

In this article

Who the M50 still makes sense for

  • Upgrading from a phone or point-and-shoot: It's a great way into interchangeable lenses and manual photography, and you can grow into it for a long time.
  • Social media and YouTube: I think this is its best use. It has a flip screen, a mic input and great 1080p, and I recorded my own YouTube videos on it for a while.
  • A small second camera: It's almost pocketable, so it's an easy camera to take places where you wouldn't risk something expensive. I've even used it as a B camera on a professional video shoot.

I wouldn't buy it if you need the highest possible photo or video quality, if you want 4K with autofocus, or if you want to stream with a clean HDMI feed.

What the M50 still does well

It has a 24MP APS-C sensor, RAW photos and up to 10 photos per second. I've gotten absolutely stunning photos from it, and I personally haven't run into its limits for photography. I've shot at ISO 3200 and gotten great photos with a little noise reduction in Lightroom, and with a fast lens that's enough for very dark scenes.

For video, the 1080p is the strength. You get 24, 30 and 60fps with Canon's Dual Pixel autofocus, which I'd call absolutely amazing in 1080p, plus a 3.5mm mic input, focus peaking and a histogram. There's also a 720p 120fps mode for slow motion, but it's soft and noisy, so I'd only use it for special shots.

The body is tiny and light, with an electronic viewfinder, a fully articulating touchscreen, a built-in flash and a hot shoe.

The problems to know

  • 4K isn't really usable for most people: It's only 24fps, adds a big extra crop, loses Dual Pixel autofocus so focus hunts the whole time, and has bad rolling shutter when you pan. I'd only use it for controlled narrative shots with manual focus.
  • HDMI limitations: The micro HDMI port is on the grip side and fragile, and the HDMI output has limits, so check it carefully if you plan to stream or use an external monitor.
  • EF-M is discontinued: There won't be new native lenses, so I almost always adapt EF lenses.
  • Battery life: The battery is tiny and rated for about 235 shots, so buy spares.
  • Build: It's mostly plastic and not weather sealed, so I wouldn't expect it to survive a drop well.

For the full breakdown, read Canon M50 Problems: 5 Issues to Know Before You Buy.

Best settings, summarized

For photos, I shoot RAW when I plan to edit, or Large/Fine JPEG when I want files ready to share. I leave the aspect ratio at 3:2 and use face and tracking autofocus for people and moving subjects. Note that S2 is a small image size, not the highest-quality JPEG, even though I misspoke about that in my video.

For video, I usually use manual exposure and 1080p at 24fps, switching to 60fps when I want slow motion. Set your audio levels before you record, especially with an external mic. My full Canon M50 settings guide covers every menu setting.

Best lenses: EF-M and adapted EF

The M50 uses Canon's EF-M mount. It can't use RF lenses, but it can use Canon EF and EF-S DSLR lenses with an adapter, which opens up a huge used lens market.

  • Viltrox 23mm f/1.4 (native EF-M): In my opinion, the best do-it-all lens for EF-M. It's about a 37mm full-frame equivalent view, which is my favorite focal length, with fast autofocus, a full metal build and a center that's sharp at every aperture. It was around $300 when I reviewed it, and it isn't weather sealed.
  • Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM: My favorite budget lens for the M50. It's a bright, compact prime for portraits and everyday photos, though it's a tight view with a standard adapter. Compare the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM.
  • Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM: A versatile, stabilized travel zoom, but it's big and front-heavy on the M50. Compare Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 options.
  • Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8: My ultra-wide pick for special situations. Check used Tokina 11-16mm lenses at KEH.

You'll need an EF to EF-M adapter for the EF lenses. A standard EF to EOS M adapter keeps the same view, while a speed booster gives you a wider one. All five of my picks are in Best Lenses for the Canon M50 and M50 Mark II.

The speed booster trick

The Viltrox EF-EOS M2 is a 0.71x speed booster that lets you use EF lenses on the M50 with a wider view than a normal adapter and about one stop more light. It's worth it if you already own full-frame EF lenses and want more of their field of view. It won't turn the M50 into a full-frame camera, and it isn't the right adapter for every lens. Check the Viltrox EF-EOS M2 Speed Booster or read my Viltrox speed booster review.

Vlogging and audio setup

The flip screen and mic input are what make the M50 a good vlogging camera. When I built my M50 vlogging rig, I used the speed booster with a wide Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L for a wide field of view, a mini tripod, ND filters for bright light, and an external monitor.

For audio, the M50's built-in mics aren't great. I used a RODE Wireless GO with a small lavalier mic plugged into the mic input, because a lav gives you really consistent audio as you move, while a shotgun mic on top of the camera changes with your distance. A simple on-camera mic like a RODE VideoMicro is still a big step up from the internal mics. If you use a monitor, be careful with the micro HDMI cable, since that port isn't very durable.

M50 vs M6 vs M50 Mark II vs R50 vs R100

  • Canon M6: When I compared them, the M6 was almost the same camera: the same sensor, Dual Pixel autofocus, mic input and 1080p. It has no built-in viewfinder, a flip screen instead of a fully articulating one, and no 4K. In 2021 it was about $300 to $350 used versus closer to $500 for the M50, and I said I'd take the M6 and spend the savings on a mic or lens unless you need the viewfinder.
  • Canon M50 Mark II: The updated version of the M50, and the one to compare if the original's HDMI limits matter to you, since it adds clean HDMI. Check the Canon M50 Mark II kit.
  • Canon R50: It fixed pretty much every video issue the M50 had, with sharp 4K oversampled from 6K, better autofocus and the RF mount Canon is still building. On October 30, 2026, the R50 with the RF-S 18-45mm kit lens was $849 at Amazon. Check the Canon R50 kit or read my Canon R50 review.
  • Canon R100: The cheaper new RF option, with a fixed, non-touch screen. I'd only choose it for a meaningful saving. It was $549 with the kit lens at Amazon on October 30, 2026. Check the Canon R100 kit.

My Canon R50 vs R100 vs M50 comparison goes deeper. In short: I'd choose the R50 for its screen, autofocus and easier video setup, the R100 when price decides it, and the original M50 when the used price is attractive or you already own EF-M lenses.

Where I'd buy a used M50

I check KEH, MPB and eBay and buy whichever has the best deal or condition. With an M50, check the micro HDMI port and make sure a charger and at least one battery are included. Compare used Canon M50 bodies at MPB, or check used cameras at KEH and eBay. My KEH vs eBay vs MPB guide explains how I compare them.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Canon M50 still worth buying in 2026?

Used, yes, if you want a small, cheap camera for photos and 1080p video, especially for social media and YouTube. If you need good 4K or a lens system with a future, I'd save up for the Canon R50.

Can the Canon M50 shoot 4K?

Technically yes, at 24fps, but it adds a big crop, loses Dual Pixel autofocus and has bad rolling shutter. I'd stick to 1080p for almost everything.

Can I use RF lenses on the Canon M50?

No. The M50 uses the EF-M mount. You can use EF-M lenses natively and Canon EF or EF-S lenses with an adapter or speed booster.

Should I buy the M50 or the R50?

The R50 is the better camera, with usable 4K, better autofocus and a mount Canon still supports. The M50 only makes sense if the used price is much lower or you already own EF-M lenses.

Is the Canon M50 good for YouTube?

Yes. With its flip screen, mic input and great 1080p autofocus, I think it's an absolutely awesome social media and YouTube camera for the money.

My verdict

The Canon M50 is still a workhorse for photos and 1080p video, and at used prices it's one of the best budget cameras for social media content. Shoot 1080p, add an external mic and a fast lens like the EF 50mm f/1.8 or Viltrox 23mm, and buy spare batteries. If 4K or a long-term lens system matters, the Canon R50 is the smarter buy.

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Watch more of my camera reviews and buying guides on FoxTailWhipz.

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