As a photographer or videographer, you may be wondering if the Canon EOS M50 can shoot 4K video. The Canon EOS M50 is a mirrorless camera that was released in 2018. It is a popular choice for those looking for a compact and versatile camera that can produce high-quality images and videos.
In this article, I will explore the 4K video capabilities of the Canon EOS M50 and provide you with all the information you need to know.
Canon EOS M50 Overview The Canon EOS M50 is a compact and lightweight mirrorless camera that packs a punch in terms of features and performance. It features a 24.1-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, a DIGIC 8 image processor, and an electronic viewfinder (EVF).
The camera has a 3-inch vari-angle touchscreen LCD that can be flipped out and rotated to help you capture shots from different angles. The Canon EOS M50 also has built-in Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth connectivity, making it easy to transfer your photos and videos to your smartphone, tablet, or computer.
Key Takeaways – Can The Canon M50 Shoot 4K
- The Canon EOS M50 can shoot 4K video at up to 24 frames per second.
- The 4K video is cropped and lacks image stabilization.
- The Canon EOS M50 is a versatile and compact mirrorless camera that is suitable for a range of use cases, from vlogging to travel photography.
Canon EOS M50 Overview
As a mirrorless camera, the Canon EOS M50 presents a compact camera body with an APS-C sensor. It offers a 24.1-megapixel resolution, which is similar to other Canon DSLRs. The M50 is a versatile camera that can shoot both still photos and videos.
In this section, I will provide an overview of the key features, design, and ergonomics of the Canon EOS M50.
Key Features
One of the most notable features of the Canon EOS M50 is its ability to shoot 4K video. It can shoot 4K video at 24 frames per second, which is a great feature for videographers.
Additionally, the M50 has a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) and a 3-inch LCD screen that can be tilted and rotated. The camera also has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, which allows for easy sharing of photos and videos.
Design and Ergonomics
The Canon EOS M50 has a compact and lightweight design, which makes it a great camera for travel and everyday use. It has a comfortable grip that feels secure in the hand and all the buttons and dials are conveniently located for easy access.
The camera body is made of a combination of metal and plastic, which gives it a solid feel without being too heavy.
The M50 has a 0.39-inch OLED EVF with a resolution of 2.36 million dots. The EVF provides a clear and bright view of the scene, which is especially useful when shooting in bright sunlight.
The camera also has a 3-inch LCD screen that can be tilted and rotated, which makes it easy to shoot from different angles.
Image Quality and Performance
When it comes to image quality and performance, the Canon M50 is a solid performer. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key factors that contribute to its overall performance.
Sensor and Image Processor
The Canon M50 features a 24MP APS-C sensor and DIGIC 8 processor, which work together to produce sharp, detailed images. The APS-C sensor is larger than those found in many other mirrorless cameras, which helps to enhance image quality and dynamic range.
Resolution and Sharpness
Thanks to its high-resolution sensor, the Canon M50 is capable of capturing images with excellent sharpness and detail. Whether you’re shooting stills or video, you can expect your images to be crisp and clear.
ISO Performance
The Canon M50 is capable of producing clean, noise-free images at high ISO settings. This is thanks in part to the DIGIC 8 processor, which helps to reduce noise and preserve detail even in low-light conditions.
Autofocus System
As a content creator, autofocus is a crucial feature that I consider when choosing a camera. The Canon M50 has an autofocus system that can be used for both photos and videos. In this section, I will discuss the autofocus system of the Canon M50 in detail.
Dual Pixel CMOS AF
The Canon M50 features the Dual Pixel CMOS AF, which is a technology used in Canon’s DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. This autofocus system is known for its speed and accuracy, making it ideal for capturing fast-moving subjects.
The Dual Pixel CMOS AF works by splitting each pixel on the camera’s sensor into two separate photodiodes, allowing for faster and more precise autofocus.
When shooting in 4K, the Dual Pixel CMOS AF is disabled due to technical limitations. However, it is still available when shooting in 1080p, making it a reliable autofocus system for most situations.
Eye Detection
One of the standout features of the Canon M50’s autofocus system is Eye Detection. This feature uses facial recognition technology to detect and focus on a subject’s eyes.
This is particularly useful when shooting portraits or videos where the subject is speaking directly to the camera.
When combined with Touch-and-Drag Autofocus, which allows you to select the focus point by dragging your finger on the camera’s touchscreen, Eye Detection makes it easy to achieve sharp focus on your subject’s eyes.
4K Video Capabilities
As a proud owner of the Canon M50, I can confidently say that this camera has impressive 4K video capabilities. In this section, I will discuss the quality of the 4K video and the crop factor and framing.
4K/24p Video Quality
The Canon M50 can shoot 4K video at 24 frames per second (fps). This means that the camera can capture stunning, high-resolution footage that is four times the resolution of Full HD.
The 4K video quality is sharp and detailed, making it ideal for professional videographers and content creators.
Crop Factor and Framing
One thing to keep in mind when shooting 4K video on the Canon M50 is the crop factor. The camera has a crop factor of 1.6x, which means that the field of view is narrower than when shooting in Full HD.
This crop effect can be a disadvantage when shooting wide-angle shots, but it can also be an advantage when shooting telephoto shots.
To illustrate the crop factor, I found an informative blog post that includes two videos shot in 1080 and 4K using a Sigma 16mm EF-M lens. The darker image underneath is shot in 1080. The brighter image on top is in 4K. You can clearly see how much of the original image is lost because the 4K video is cropped by a factor of 2.56x.
Connectivity and Sharing
As a modern camera, the Canon M50 comes with various connectivity options to make it easy to transfer files and share your content with others. In this section, I will discuss the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth features of the camera, as well as how it integrates with smartphones.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
The Canon M50 comes with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, which allows you to quickly and easily transfer files to your computer or smartphone.
With Wi-Fi, you can connect to your home network or a public hotspot to transfer files wirelessly. Bluetooth, on the other hand, allows you to connect to your smartphone or other Bluetooth-enabled device to transfer files or remotely control the camera.
One of the most useful features of the Wi-Fi connectivity is the ability to share your images and videos directly to social media platforms.
With the Canon Camera Connect app, you can easily connect your camera to your smartphone and share your content to Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms. This feature is particularly useful for those who want to share their content quickly and easily with their followers.
Smartphone Integration
In addition to the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity options, the Canon M50 also comes with NFC (Near Field Communication) technology, which allows you to quickly and easily pair your camera with your smartphone.
With the Canon Camera Connect app, you can remotely control your camera, transfer files, and even livestream your content to social media platforms.
The Canon Camera Connect app is available for both iOS and Android devices and is free to download. It offers a range of features that make it easy to control your camera and share your content with others.
Lens Compatibility and Options
As an avid user of the Canon M50, I have explored various lens options and compatibility issues. Here are some of my findings:
EF-M Lenses
The Canon M50 is designed to be used with EF-M lenses, which are specifically made for the M-series cameras. These lenses are compact and lightweight, making them an ideal choice for travel and everyday use.
They are also affordable, with many options available in the market.
One of my favorite EF-M lenses is the Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM. This lens is perfect for street photography, as it is small and discreet.
It also produces sharp images with beautiful bokeh.
Another great EF-M lens is the Canon EF-M 32mm f/1.4 STM. This lens is a bit more expensive, but it produces stunning images with creamy bokeh.
It is perfect for portraits and low-light photography.
Using an Adapter for EF Lenses
If you already own EF lenses, you can still use them with the Canon M50 by using an optional adapter. The Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS M allows you to use EF lenses with full autofocus and image stabilization capabilities.
However, using an adapter may affect the autofocus speed and accuracy. Some EF lenses may also produce vignetting or other image quality issues when used with the adapter.
Additional Features and Settings
In-Camera Stabilization
One of the most important features of any camera is its ability to stabilize footage. The Canon M50 features both in-camera stabilization and electronic stabilization.
In-camera stabilization is particularly useful when shooting handheld footage, as it helps to reduce camera shake and produce smoother, more professional-looking videos.
The electronic stabilization, on the other hand, is useful when shooting with a tripod or other stabilizing equipment.
It helps to reduce any unwanted movements that may occur during filming.
Touchscreen Interface
The Canon M50 is equipped with a 3-inch vari-angle touchscreen LCD that allows for easy and intuitive navigation of the camera’s settings and features. The touchscreen interface is particularly useful when shooting video, as it allows for quick and easy adjustments to focus, exposure, and other settings.
The vari-angle design of the LCD also allows for greater flexibility when shooting from different angles, making it easier to capture shots from low or high angles.
Use Cases and User Experience
Vlogging and Content Creation
As a vlogger and content creator, I find that the Canon M50 is a great camera for shooting 4K video. The camera produces high-quality footage that is perfect for YouTube and other platforms.
The autofocus system is fast and accurate, which is essential for capturing moving subjects.
The camera also has a flip-out screen, which makes it easy to see what I’m recording and adjust the settings as needed.
One of the downsides of shooting in 4K on the Canon M50 is that the camera crops the image. This means that you lose some of the field of view when shooting in 4K.
However, this can be mitigated by using a wider lens or shooting in 1080p instead.
Ease of Use for Beginners
As a beginner, I found the Canon M50 to be a very easy camera to use. The camera has a simple interface that is easy to navigate, and the buttons and dials are well-placed and easy to access.
The camera also has a guided menu system that walks you through the different settings and options.
One of the things I really appreciate about the Canon M50 is the ergonomics and grip. The camera feels great in the hand and is easy to hold for extended periods of time.
This is important for beginners who may not be used to holding a camera for long periods of time.
Related Reading: Canon M50 4K Video Capabilities
Shooting Better 4K Video on the Canon M50 – Discover how to maximize the Canon M50’s 4K video potential despite its limitations, enhancing your video quality.
Canon EOS M50 Review – A comprehensive analysis of the Canon EOS M50, highlighting its 4K video recording capabilities alongside its photographic prowess.
Canon EOS M50 Review – Delve into the Canon EOS M50’s features, with a focus on its groundbreaking 4K video functionality for mirrorless cameras.
Canon EOS M50 Review – Explore the Canon EOS M50’s 4K video feature, setting a new standard for EOS M series cameras.
4K Video on the Canon EOS M50 – Learn the basics of 4K video and how the Canon EOS M50 utilizes this technology to produce stunning video content.
Canon EOS M50 Mark II review – Evaluating the Canon EOS M50 Mark II, focusing on its enhanced 4K video capabilities and overall performance improvements.
Frequently Asked Questions – Canon M50 Shoot 4K
What video resolutions does the Canon M50 support?
The Canon M50 supports several video resolutions, including 4K UHD (3840 x 2160), Full HD (1920 x 1080), and HD (1280 x 720). However, it’s important to note that the camera crops the sensor when shooting in 4K mode, resulting in a narrower field of view.
Is there a recording time limit for 4K videos on the Canon M50?
Yes, the Canon M50 has a recording time limit of approximately 30 minutes when shooting in 4K mode.
This is due to the camera’s internal temperature rising during extended use, which can cause overheating and damage to the camera.
What are the optimal 4K settings for shooting with the Canon M50?
The optimal settings for shooting 4K video with the Canon M50 depend on the specific shooting situation.
However, it’s generally recommended to shoot at 24 frames per second (fps) for a cinematic look, or 30 fps for smoother motion.
Additionally, it’s important to use a fast memory card with a write speed of at least 60 MB/s to prevent dropped frames and ensure smooth recording.
Does the Canon M50 Mark II offer improved 4K capabilities?
The Canon M50 Mark II offers the same 4K capabilities as the original Canon M50, with no significant improvements to video quality or recording capabilities. However, the Mark II does offer some new features, such as improved autofocus and a vertical video recording mode.
How does the Canon M50 handle 4K video cropping?
The Canon M50 crops the sensor when shooting in 4K mode, resulting in a narrower field of view.
Specifically, the camera crops the sensor by a factor of 1.6x, which can make it difficult to capture wide-angle shots.
However, this crop factor can be beneficial when shooting with telephoto lenses, as it effectively increases the focal length of the lens.
Does the Canon M50 record 4K video in 8 bit or 10 bit color depth?
The Canon M50 records 4K video in 8 bit color depth. This means that it can capture up to 256 shades of each primary color (red, green, and blue).
While this is less than the 1024 shades captured by 10 bit color depth, it’s still sufficient for most applications. It also allows for a wide range of color grading options in post-processing.
