M50 Mark II First Impressions

Larry Rexley wrote:

I spent a lot more time getting to know the M50ii, taking it out on another evening shoot.

The samples are at the bottom of this post... again, I am very pleased with the results.

I've added comments to my 'first impression' bullet points as I've learned more:

Here are my first impressions as an active, dedicated M6ii user:

Positives

- Size, weight, handling, controls, control layout, and operation of the M50ii are similar enough to the M6ii so that switching back and forth is not a hindrance - I adapted to it quickly

Using both cameras, I've realized the M50ii is slightly smaller and lighter than the m6ii --- but not a problem -- it's similar to hold and operate.

- Except for the difference in the file resolution and file sizes --- the output of both cameras was virtually identical! Kudos Canon again for amazing consistency (also to DxO as well used to process all results). Except for resolution and EXIF data, you can't tell which files came from which camera.

After post processing lots of files --- I still say that processing is very similar with the M50ii and M6ii. However I'm finding I have to be more careful cropping and especially sharpening the m50ii files as compared to the M6ii. M50ii files are less forgiving of aggressive perspective correction and cropping --- and I find that I have apply 'Moire' correction in some cases, which I've only very rarely had to do with the M6ii. So the resolution does make some difference.

- It is also a positive for me that the camera has a non-removable EVF and an articulating rear screen that are both DIFFERENT than the M6ii's --- again here each may serve better for particular types of shooting --- and now I have the best of both worlds

In answer to someone's question in a prior post -- the EVF of the M50ii appears to be identical to the M6ii's To test this I put 50mm lenses on both and looked through both cameras in portrait mode at the same time --- one camera each eye --- and found I had an amazing pair of electronic binoculars! The image in both EVFs was exactly the same size and I couldn't tell any difference.

I thought I heard that if you do this it can cause INSANITY! ( )^( )

Interestingly, I find that I prefer the M6ii's EVF. Its viewing eyepiece sits slightly higher off the camera and slightly farther back. It's not a huge difference --- 2-3 mm -- but to look through the m50ii's finder (both with and without glasses) I end up squashing my nose slightly against the rear screen and tilting my face slightly. The m6ii's EVF is positioned perfectly for best use - Canon got it right there.

- I don't mind that the resolution of the M50ii is slightly lower --- if shooting with two lenses (telephoto zoom for BIF and wider zoom for landscapes for example) --- the M6ii clearly is the one for telephoto (BIF) as the added resolution gives it more 'reach' for far-away birds, plus the faster 14 fps frame rate and the M6ii's custom exposure modes work well for BIF etc.

On my shoot last night I shot with the m50ii using ultra-wide 11-22 and m6ii using longer focal lengths. I found that I needed to do some perspective correction - a lot in some cases -- to the m50 files and it was noticeably less forgiving of persp. corr. and cropping due to slightly lower resolution. In the end it was good enough --- but when really pushing the limits, the M6ii's higher res sensor is going to win at all focal lengths.

Hindrances

- Lack of rotating rear 'wheel' on the back of the camera. Used for so many things on the M6ii ---- scrolling menus, scrolling to review stills, etc. Not having this wheel was really noticeable because it's such an ingrained action for so many things. Not having it will take some getting used to...

I spent some time practicing alternate ways to do everything I use the M6ii's wheel for --- the rear touch screen turns out to be just as convenient if you're not looking through the EVF. I'm still getting used to this but's not a deal-breaker for me.

- At only 7 fps shooting RAW, the buffer filled up very fast! After only a few short half second bursts I had to wait. I did some 7 fps shooting of an Amtrak train. They travel at 60-70 mph and very high speed shooting is needed plus a fast shutter speed. The 7 fps mode fills the M50ii's buffer as quickly as , and maybe more quickly than, the m6ii fills its buffer at 14 fps, it seems in what little testing I did.

I shot with the lower speed drive setting second time out --- it was fast enough for my purposes last night (slow moving trains) and I had no problems with it, the buffer never filled for what I was shooting.

- Lack of the M6ii's 'Fv' exposure mode (and of course C1 and C2 custom modes). In the past month or so I've switched mostly over to using Fv.... will have to go back to Tv or Av modes or silent full auto. This is not so bad, as I am often double-checking exposure anyway 'just to be sure' it's doing what I want

There was a super-simple workaround for my usual use case for Fv exposure mode --- just set the camera to full Manual mode and use Auto ISO! This works on both the M6ii and M50ii and I used that for most of my shooting last night. You set the shutter and aperture and the camera sets the ISO --- just be sure to keep an eye on it...

- the M50ii came with yet another EF-M 15-45mm IS STM kit lens.... LOL. I gave up on my old copies and have been selling them off. Oh well, I'll test this one --- who knows maybe it's better and I'll get a keeper?!

I did some testing, and the EF-M 15-45 kit lens was sharp but corner performance was nearly identical to my previous copies ---- which I believe are 'good copies.' It's the design of the lens I think that causes the lack of sharpness in the 'extreme' corners even at f5.6 and f8 at the wide end, and you can see it in the m50ii output.

*****

Here are some samples from last night's shooting, in order. I carried the M6ii with the EF-M 18-150 IS STM to shoot trains as they approached --- and when they were close I switched instantly to the M50ii with the EF-M 11-22 which was powered on and ready to go.

This worked beautifully. It turns out there was a special '50-year' Amtrak heritage locomotive visiting Tampa last night -- and I even met some 'rail fans' who came in town just to shoot it! I picked a great day to test shooting with a 'second body' --- if I had brought only one body, I would have missed the best wide-angle shots with the second body.

M6ii

Thanks again for the great info Larry. Your input is invaluable.

R2