Canon R50 vs R100 vs M50 | Make The Right Choice.

Canon R50 vs R100 vs M50 | Make The Right Choice.

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Introduction
If you’re shopping for a budget-friendly Canon mirrorless camera, you’ve probably narrowed your choices down to the Canon M50, R50, or R100. On the surface, they look alike—small, lightweight, and user-friendly—but dig a little deeper, and you’ll find key differences that can greatly affect your shooting experience. From lens mount compatibility to video features, each camera excels in different areas.

In this guide, we’ll break down the 10 biggest differences between the M50, R50, and R100 so you can decide which one best suits your needs.

1. Lens Mount Compatibility

  • M50: Uses the older EF-M mount. Canon has discontinued new EF-M lenses and bodies, so future upgrades may be tricky. However, you can adapt EF lenses easily.
  • R50 & R100: Both use Canon’s newer RF mount, which Canon is actively developing. This means more lens options over time and easier future upgrades, especially if you plan to move to a higher-end RF camera later.

Bottom Line: If long-term lens compatibility and future upgrades matter, go for the R50 or R100. If you’re fine adapting EF lenses and don’t mind a discontinued mount, the M50 still works well.

2. Rear Display Differences

  • M50 & R50: Both feature fully articulating, touch-sensitive flip-out screens. Easy for vlogging, low/high angle shots, and intuitive menu navigation.
  • R100: Fixed, non-touch display. More limited for selfies, vlogging, or creative shooting angles. Adjusting settings also takes more button presses without a touch interface.

Bottom Line: If you want a flexible, user-friendly screen, the R50 or M50 is ideal. The R100’s simpler screen keeps costs down but reduces convenience.

3. USB Charging & Ports

  • M50: Micro USB port, cannot charge the battery internally. You must remove the battery and use an external charger.
  • R100: Upgrades to USB-C port (easier to find cables), but still no in-camera charging.
  • R50: USB-C port and supports in-camera charging with a PD (Power Delivery) charger and a genuine Canon battery. Perfect for long shoots and travel, as you can keep it powered indefinitely.

Bottom Line: The R50 stands out with in-camera USB charging. The others require an external charger and spare batteries.

4. Battery Life & Type

  • M50: Uses the smaller LP-E12 battery. Slightly shorter battery life.
  • R50 & R100: Use LP-E17 batteries with marginally better longevity. Still, all three aren’t battery life champions, but R50/R100 last a bit longer on average.

Bottom Line: Minor differences, but R50/R100 have a slight edge.

5. Hot Shoe Compatibility

  • M50 & R100: Standard hot shoe. Any regular flash or accessory fits without adapters.
  • R50: Uses Canon’s new multi-function shoe. Some older flashes/accessories won’t work without a $40 Canon adapter, which can be back-ordered and add complexity.

Bottom Line: If you rely on external flashes or mics, the M50 and R100 are simpler. The R50’s multi-function shoe is more future-focused but trickier now.

6. Autofocus Performance

  • M50 & R100: Both have great Dual Pixel AF, fast and reliable for entry-level cameras.
  • R50: Features Canon’s latest Dual Pixel AF II with more AF points (651 vs. 143) and advanced subject tracking (animals, vehicles). Faster and smarter AF overall.

Bottom Line: While all three offer solid autofocus, the R50’s cutting-edge AF system wins for speed and subject recognition.

7. Photo Burst Rates

  • M50: Up to 10 fps.
  • R50: Up to 12 fps, slightly better for action shots.
  • R100: Up to 6 fps, the slowest of the trio.

Bottom Line: For sports or action, the R50 is tops, followed by M50. The R100 lags behind.

8. Slow Motion Video

  • M50 & R100: Can shoot 120 fps slow motion in only 720p with no autofocus.
  • R50: Records 1080p at 120 fps with full autofocus. Much sharper slow-mo and easier to use.

Bottom Line: If slow-motion quality matters, the R50 outshines the M50 and R100 by a significant margin.

9. 4K Video Quality & Options

  • M50 & R100: Both offer 4K at 24 fps but with more limitations (like no Dual Pixel AF in 4K on M50 and a tight crop). The R100 also doesn’t have advanced AF in 4K.
  • R50: 4K up to 30 fps, oversampled from 6K, resulting in sharper footage, and with full Dual Pixel AF II. A fantastic budget video camera.

Bottom Line: The R50 is the clear winner for video quality and versatility.

10. Weight & Handling

  • M50: ~390g
  • R50: ~375g (slightly lighter)
  • R100: ~356g (lightest of all three)

Bottom Line: The R100 is the lightest, but all three are quite portable.

Which Should You Choose?

  • For Best Video & AF (Vlogging, Content Creation): R50
    Superior autofocus, oversampled 4K, 1080p slow-mo with AF, and in-camera USB charging make it a top choice for video-centric creators.

  • For Photography with More Lens Options & Future-Upgrades: R50 or R100
    Both use the new RF mount, future-proofing your lens investments. The R50 offers more features, while the R100 is more stripped-down and affordable.

  • For the Tightest Budget & Basic Use: R100
    Acceptable autofocus, decent 1080p, standard hot shoe, and cheaper price. Just limited features like a fixed, non-touch screen and no in-camera charging.

  • For Existing EF-M Lens Owners: M50
    Still a good camera for photos and 1080p video. Just know Canon EF-M is discontinued. Perfect if you already have EF-M lenses and don’t plan major upgrades soon.

Final Thoughts
All three cameras can produce great images and are user-friendly, but the differences are crucial for long-term satisfaction. The R50 excels as a modern video-first camera with advanced AF. The R100 caters to absolute beginners on a tight budget who just need the basics. The M50, while older and on a discontinued mount, remains a reliable entry level choice—especially if you already own EF-M lenses.

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