Canon R50 Review: The Best Beginner Camera You Can Buy?
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The quick answer
The Canon R50 offers incredible value for beginners and content creators. Its sharp, oversampled 4K, exceptional autofocus, and compact body make it a standout option if you’re upgrading from the M50 or trying interchangeable lenses for the first time.
Overheating in 4K and a plasticky build are the main limitations. Even with those tradeoffs, the Canon R50 is a standout choice for beginners looking to step up their photography and video.
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The features that matter
| Feature | Canon R50 |
|---|---|
| 4K video | Sharp 4K oversampled from 6K, without an additional crop |
| Full HD slow motion | 120fps in 1080p |
| Autofocus | Dual Pixel Autofocus II in photos and video, including 4K |
| Subject tracking | Cars, animals, and human eyes |
| Continuous recording limit | 1 hour |
| Battery life | Just over an hour of continuous video; approximately 370 photos per charge |
| Weather sealing | None |
What improves over the M50
The R50 addresses many of the limitations of the Canon M50. Unlike the M50, it records 4K without an additional crop, and Dual Pixel Autofocus II maintains the same exceptional performance in 4K as in other video modes.
For slow motion, the R50 records 120fps in full HD. That is a significant improvement over the M50’s 120fps in 720p.
Autofocus is a strong point
Dual Pixel Autofocus II is one of Canon’s most advanced autofocus systems. It tracks cars, animals, and human eyes in both photos and videos, and I found it reliable and consistent, with minimal hiccups during use.
A compact body with simple controls
The R50 is similar in size to the M50 but weighs less, making it ultra-portable. Its plasticky construction gives it a budget feel, and there is no weather sealing, so caution is needed in adverse conditions.
The button and dial layout is minimalist, with fewer customizable controls. Despite that simplicity, the layout is intuitive and does not hinder usability.
Recording limits, heat, and battery life
The one-hour continuous recording limit is standard for cameras in this price range. In my 4K 30fps test, however, the camera overheated after about 35 minutes in a 70°F room and needed to cool down before I could resume recording.
Battery life is just over an hour of continuous video per charge. For photography, it is rated for approximately 370 shots per charge.
Price and value for a beginner
The prices quoted in this review are $679 for the body only and $799 with the kit lens. The kit is a decent option for beginners.
In the original review, the R50 was the newest and most affordable addition to Canon’s R-series lineup. It suits beginners upgrading from smartphones or point-and-shoot cameras, as well as first-time interchangeable-lens users.
Who I would recommend it to
For $679, the R50 delivers sharp 4K oversampled from 6K, exceptional autofocus, and compact, lightweight portability. Overheating in 4K and the plasticky build are limitations, but it offers incredible value for beginners and content creators.
If you are upgrading from the M50 or exploring interchangeable lenses for the first time, the Canon R50 is a standout option.