R50 vs Nikon Z50?

KJC · May 4, 2023

I am in a bit of a quandry in trying to select a small, light, unobtrusive camera for European and Asian travel. I was first looking at Sony RX100 variants and the Canon G5X ii. Coming from a Nikon dSLR (and prior to that, film SLR) background, I have begun to think that I would gain a lot more functionality, ease of use, and enjoyment from going up one size level--to something like the Nikon Z50 or the Canon R50. Also, I NEED a viewfinder and the tiny pop-up things in these very small cameras (RX100, G5X) do not inspire confidence! The Z50 is a bit bulkier, but seemingly more enthusiast oriented than the R50. (I shoot raw and value ease of changing ISO, shutter speed, aperture, etc. quickly.) However, the R50 does look very good, is smaller, lighter, and about four years newer.

In deciding between these two, I wonder whether there would be much if any difference in 1.) final raw image quality and 2.) ability to shoot in low light/high ISO/slow shutter speed. Low light photography is not my primary thing, but I do appreciate these capabilities.

Video capabilities are strictly secondary to stills for me. I am not into vlogging, or really much into video at all, except for playing around with it. Lens choice is not a huge deal for me here, as this is not intended to replace my dSLR, and I would probably just stick with the kit lens 18-45 or whatever and use this camera mostly for travel.

What are your thoughts in comparing these two cameras, and which would you be inclined to choose?

Martin_99 · May 19, 2023

sportyaccordy said:
Ali said:

sportyaccordy said:

R50 has no lenses,

Click to expand...

You make it sound like it’s a new system… it has access to a ton of lenses.

If you mean just RF-S lenses, yes, the selection is limited for now.

For the purposes the OP indicated (who by the way I think decided on a Z50) - the R50 paired with the RF-S 18-150 is a pretty good travel kit.

Add a small low-light RF prime (16, 28, 35, 50 - take your pick), and that is usually enough for me. I actually got a third party manual focus RF-S 35 f/1.4, which has been interesting. (The manual lens really makes you stop and smell the roses)

Click to expand...

An EF-M body with the same exact lens is a better option IMO as the selection of support lenses is much bigger. Multiple much faster primes, affordable UWA lenses, the same sensors.

Everyone has their own priorities but personally I'd rather buy into a "dead" system with a full range of bodies and lenses than a new system with little more than "potential". Especially given Canon's history with APS-C and where they have taken RF. I'm glad I was able to get out of RF for minimal cost.

sportyaccordy · May 19, 2023

Martin_99 said:
sportyaccordy said:

Ali said:

sportyaccordy said:

R50 has no lenses,

Click to expand...

You make it sound like it’s a new system… it has access to a ton of lenses.

If you mean just RF-S lenses, yes, the selection is limited for now.

For the purposes the OP indicated (who by the way I think decided on a Z50) - the R50 paired with the RF-S 18-150 is a pretty good travel kit.

Add a small low-light RF prime (16, 28, 35, 50 - take your pick), and that is usually enough for me. I actually got a third party manual focus RF-S 35 f/1.4, which has been interesting. (The manual lens really makes you stop and smell the roses)

Click to expand...

An EF-M body with the same exact lens is a better option IMO as the selection of support lenses is much bigger. Multiple much faster primes, affordable UWA lenses, the same sensors.

Everyone has their own priorities but personally I'd rather buy into a "dead" system with a full range of bodies and lenses than a new system with little more than "potential". Especially given Canon's history with APS-C and where they have taken RF. I'm glad I was able to get out of RF for minimal cost.

Click to expand...

Looks weird to see "EF-M" and "full range of bodies and lenses" in one post. It was OK system for beginners, but in general underdeveloped.

But maybe could be a viable option for OP due to budget price.

Only thing it's really missing is a premium constant aperture zoom. It has everything else- UWA, telephoto, various standard zooms and fast primes. That's more than what you can get on native RF for crop.

Canon_Guy · May 19, 2023

sportyaccordy said:
Martin_99 said:

sportyaccordy said:

Ali said:

sportyaccordy said:

R50 has no lenses,

Click to expand...

You make it sound like it’s a new system… it has access to a ton of lenses.

If you mean just RF-S lenses, yes, the selection is limited for now.

For the purposes the OP indicated (who by the way I think decided on a Z50) - the R50 paired with the RF-S 18-150 is a pretty good travel kit.

Add a small low-light RF prime (16, 28, 35, 50 - take your pick), and that is usually enough for me. I actually got a third party manual focus RF-S 35 f/1.4, which has been interesting. (The manual lens really makes you stop and smell the roses)

Click to expand...

An EF-M body with the same exact lens is a better option IMO as the selection of support lenses is much bigger. Multiple much faster primes, affordable UWA lenses, the same sensors.

Everyone has their own priorities but personally I'd rather buy into a "dead" system with a full range of bodies and lenses than a new system with little more than "potential". Especially given Canon's history with APS-C and where they have taken RF. I'm glad I was able to get out of RF for minimal cost.

Click to expand...

Looks weird to see "EF-M" and "full range of bodies and lenses" in one post. It was OK system for beginners, but in general underdeveloped.

But maybe could be a viable option for OP due to budget price.

Click to expand...

Only thing it's really missing is a premium constant aperture zoom. It has everything else- UWA, telephoto, various standard zooms and fast primes. That's more than what you can get on native RF for crop.

In EF-M there is no:

- f/2.8 UWA zoom

- f/4 UWA zoom

- f/2.8 standard zoom

- f/4 standard zoom

- f/2.8 tele

- f/4 tele

- 200+mm zoom

- 200+mm primes

- only one <f/2 prime

- no WA or UWA fast primes

- no fast short tele for portraits

- etc.

EF-M by far does not offer full range of lenses.

Native RF-S lens range is even more underdeveloped. That is true and very sad.

Sittatunga · May 19, 2023

Canon_Guy said:
sportyaccordy said:

Martin_99 said:

sportyaccordy said:

Ali said:

sportyaccordy said:

R50 has no lenses,

Click to expand...

You make it sound like it’s a new system… it has access to a ton of lenses.

If you mean just RF-S lenses, yes, the selection is limited for now.

For the purposes the OP indicated (who by the way I think decided on a Z50) - the R50 paired with the RF-S 18-150 is a pretty good travel kit.

Add a small low-light RF prime (16, 28, 35, 50 - take your pick), and that is usually enough for me. I actually got a third party manual focus RF-S 35 f/1.4, which has been interesting. (The manual lens really makes you stop and smell the roses)

Click to expand...

An EF-M body with the same exact lens is a better option IMO as the selection of support lenses is much bigger. Multiple much faster primes, affordable UWA lenses, the same sensors.

Everyone has their own priorities but personally I'd rather buy into a "dead" system with a full range of bodies and lenses than a new system with little more than "potential". Especially given Canon's history with APS-C and where they have taken RF. I'm glad I was able to get out of RF for minimal cost.

Click to expand...

Looks weird to see "EF-M" and "full range of bodies and lenses" in one post. It was OK system for beginners, but in general underdeveloped.

But maybe could be a viable option for OP due to budget price.

Click to expand...

Only thing it's really missing is a premium constant aperture zoom. It has everything else- UWA, telephoto, various standard zooms and fast primes. That's more than what you can get on native RF for crop.

Click to expand...

In EF-M there is no:

- f/2.8 UWA zoom

- f/4 UWA zoom

- f/2.8 standard zoom

- f/4 standard zoom

- f/2.8 tele

- f/4 tele

- 200+mm zoom

- 200+mm primes

- only one <f/2 prime

- no WA or UWA fast primes

- no fast short tele for portraits

- etc.

EF-M by far does not offer full range of lenses.

Native RF-S lens range is even more underdeveloped. That is true and very sad.

But you can say much the same for Z DX and for crop format Sony E mount. And the APS-C lens system that has all these things has no 36x24mm format lenses or sensors, just half-frame 645 format with a small range of lenses that are incompatible with the APS-C cameras.

Canon_Guy · May 19, 2023

Sittatunga said:
Canon_Guy said:

sportyaccordy said:

Martin_99 said:

sportyaccordy said:

Ali said:

sportyaccordy said:

R50 has no lenses,

Click to expand...

You make it sound like it’s a new system… it has access to a ton of lenses.

If you mean just RF-S lenses, yes, the selection is limited for now.

For the purposes the OP indicated (who by the way I think decided on a Z50) - the R50 paired with the RF-S 18-150 is a pretty good travel kit.

Add a small low-light RF prime (16, 28, 35, 50 - take your pick), and that is usually enough for me. I actually got a third party manual focus RF-S 35 f/1.4, which has been interesting. (The manual lens really makes you stop and smell the roses)

Click to expand...

An EF-M body with the same exact lens is a better option IMO as the selection of support lenses is much bigger. Multiple much faster primes, affordable UWA lenses, the same sensors.

Everyone has their own priorities but personally I'd rather buy into a "dead" system with a full range of bodies and lenses than a new system with little more than "potential". Especially given Canon's history with APS-C and where they have taken RF. I'm glad I was able to get out of RF for minimal cost.

Click to expand...

Looks weird to see "EF-M" and "full range of bodies and lenses" in one post. It was OK system for beginners, but in general underdeveloped.

But maybe could be a viable option for OP due to budget price.

Click to expand...

Only thing it's really missing is a premium constant aperture zoom. It has everything else- UWA, telephoto, various standard zooms and fast primes. That's more than what you can get on native RF for crop.

Click to expand...

In EF-M there is no:

- f/2.8 UWA zoom

- f/4 UWA zoom

- f/2.8 standard zoom

- f/4 standard zoom

- f/2.8 tele

- f/4 tele

- 200+mm zoom

- 200+mm primes

- only one <f/2 prime

- no WA or UWA fast primes

- no fast short tele for portraits

- etc.

EF-M by far does not offer full range of lenses.

Native RF-S lens range is even more underdeveloped. That is true and very sad.

Click to expand...

But you can say much the same for Z DX and for crop format Sony E mount. And the APS-C lens system that has all these things has no 36x24mm format lenses or sensors, just half-frame 645 format with a small range of lenses that are incompatible with the APS-C cameras.

Please mind the context. I was reacting on a false statement that EF-M lens range has everything except a premium constant aperture zoom. So I named main lenses EF-M range lacks.

I am not speaking Z DX, crop E mount, 645... Irrelevant here.

Ali · May 19, 2023

sportyaccordy said:
Ali said:

sportyaccordy said:

R50 has no lenses,

Click to expand...

You make it sound like it’s a new system… it has access to a ton of lenses.

If you mean just RF-S lenses, yes, the selection is limited for now.

For the purposes the OP indicated (who by the way I think decided on a Z50) - the R50 paired with the RF-S 18-150 is a pretty good travel kit.

Add a small low-light RF prime (16, 28, 35, 50 - take your pick), and that is usually enough for me. I actually got a third party manual focus RF-S 35 f/1.4, which has been interesting. (The manual lens really makes you stop and smell the roses)

Click to expand...

An EF-M body with the same exact lens is a better option IMO as the selection of support lenses is much bigger. Multiple much faster primes, affordable UWA lenses, the same sensors.

The OP's question was about getting a "small, light, unobtrusive camera for travel." I didn't read it as getting a whole selection of support lenses. I think R50 + 18-150 fits the bill. And if one didn't want to "marry" the system, one could even rent these two - it's like $100 for a week.

R50 with 18-150's advantage over the M50 or M6II with the same lens is much better autofocus. M6II does have the advantage of 32MP, but the OP did want a built-in EVF.

It is true that many of the lenses the R50 can use are not optimized for R50 or travel, so the more lenses you want on the trip, the less shiny R50 starts to look.

sportyaccordy said:
Everyone has their own priorities but personally I'd rather buy into a "dead" system with a full range of bodies and lenses than a new system with little more than "potential". Especially given Canon's history with APS-C and where they have taken RF. I'm glad I was able to get out of RF for minimal cost.

Agreed with different priorities for different folks. For me since I already have R5 with some RF and EF lenses, camera like R50 is a natural addition that is appropriate for some use cases, such as travel.

Ali · May 19, 2023

Ali said:
R50 with 18-150's advantage over the M50 or M6II with the same lens is much better autofocus.

Oh, there is also Advanced A+, but I am not convinced that is a worthwhile feature for most folks who know a thing or two about cameras.

Martin_99 · May 19, 2023

Sittatunga said:
Canon_Guy said:

sportyaccordy said:

Martin_99 said:

sportyaccordy said:

Ali said:

sportyaccordy said:

R50 has no lenses,

Click to expand...

You make it sound like it’s a new system… it has access to a ton of lenses.

If you mean just RF-S lenses, yes, the selection is limited for now.

For the purposes the OP indicated (who by the way I think decided on a Z50) - the R50 paired with the RF-S 18-150 is a pretty good travel kit.

Add a small low-light RF prime (16, 28, 35, 50 - take your pick), and that is usually enough for me. I actually got a third party manual focus RF-S 35 f/1.4, which has been interesting. (The manual lens really makes you stop and smell the roses)

Click to expand...

An EF-M body with the same exact lens is a better option IMO as the selection of support lenses is much bigger. Multiple much faster primes, affordable UWA lenses, the same sensors.

Everyone has their own priorities but personally I'd rather buy into a "dead" system with a full range of bodies and lenses than a new system with little more than "potential". Especially given Canon's history with APS-C and where they have taken RF. I'm glad I was able to get out of RF for minimal cost.

Click to expand...

Looks weird to see "EF-M" and "full range of bodies and lenses" in one post. It was OK system for beginners, but in general underdeveloped.

But maybe could be a viable option for OP due to budget price.

Click to expand...

Only thing it's really missing is a premium constant aperture zoom. It has everything else- UWA, telephoto, various standard zooms and fast primes. That's more than what you can get on native RF for crop.

Click to expand...

In EF-M there is no:

- f/2.8 UWA zoom

- f/4 UWA zoom

- f/2.8 standard zoom

- f/4 standard zoom

- f/2.8 tele

- f/4 tele

- 200+mm zoom

- 200+mm primes

- only one <f/2 prime

- no WA or UWA fast primes

- no fast short tele for portraits

- etc.

EF-M by far does not offer full range of lenses.

Native RF-S lens range is even more underdeveloped. That is true and very sad.

Click to expand...

But you can say much the same for Z DX and for crop format Sony E mount. And the APS-C lens system that has all these things has no 36x24mm format lenses or sensors, just half-frame 645 format with a small range of lenses that are incompatible with the APS-C cameras.

Not sure how you can compare it to APSC Sony E. Support by lenses is totally different. If you check available native AF lenses:

Canon M: 13

Sony E APSC: 43

Only Fuji is better. Newer Canon RF and Nikon Z is and probably will be similarly bad as Canon M. Their focus to fullframe is clear.

sportyaccordy · May 19, 2023

Canon_Guy said:
In EF-M there is no:

- f/2.8 UWA zoom

- f/4 UWA zoom

- f/2.8 standard zoom

- f/4 standard zoom

- f/2.8 tele

- f/4 tele

- 200+mm zoom

- 200+mm primes

- only one <f/2 prime

- no WA or UWA fast primes

- no fast short tele for portraits

- etc.

EF-M by far does not offer full range of lenses.

Native RF-S lens range is even more underdeveloped. That is true and very sad.

OK, let me requalify my statement. EF-M natively covers a wider range of focal lengths and has a much broader range of fast primes. Obviously if you need premium constant aperture zooms or fast UWA primes or whatever you're out of luck, but there is far more available to build up a basic kit from than RF-S, even with FF RF glass included.

Truthfully, outside of the R7, EF-M is a much better system than RF-S, and I expect that to remain the case for years to come.

thunder storm · May 19, 2023

Canon_Guy said:
sportyaccordy said:

Martin_99 said:

sportyaccordy said:

Ali said:

sportyaccordy said:

R50 has no lenses,

Click to expand...

You make it sound like it’s a new system… it has access to a ton of lenses.

If you mean just RF-S lenses, yes, the selection is limited for now.

For the purposes the OP indicated (who by the way I think decided on a Z50) - the R50 paired with the RF-S 18-150 is a pretty good travel kit.

Add a small low-light RF prime (16, 28, 35, 50 - take your pick), and that is usually enough for me. I actually got a third party manual focus RF-S 35 f/1.4, which has been interesting. (The manual lens really makes you stop and smell the roses)

Click to expand...

An EF-M body with the same exact lens is a better option IMO as the selection of support lenses is much bigger. Multiple much faster primes, affordable UWA lenses, the same sensors.

Everyone has their own priorities but personally I'd rather buy into a "dead" system with a full range of bodies and lenses than a new system with little more than "potential". Especially given Canon's history with APS-C and where they have taken RF. I'm glad I was able to get out of RF for minimal cost.

Click to expand...

Looks weird to see "EF-M" and "full range of bodies and lenses" in one post. It was OK system for beginners, but in general underdeveloped.

But maybe could be a viable option for OP due to budget price.

Click to expand...

Only thing it's really missing is a premium constant aperture zoom. It has everything else- UWA, telephoto, various standard zooms and fast primes. That's more than what you can get on native RF for crop.

Click to expand...

In EF-M there is no:

For all the options being big and heavy anyway due to physical constraints adapted options are good enough imo, as the extra weight and size of an adapter are just peanuts for the total size and weight of the lens-camera combination.

Canon_Guy said:
- f/2.8 UWA zoom

- f/4 UWA zoom

- f/2.8 standard zoom

- f/4 standard zoom

- f/2.8 tele

- f/4 tele

- 200+mm zoom

- 200+mm primes

Even for the RF mount Canon is recycling EF telephoto designs. At that point an adapter makes makes more sense imo.

Canon_Guy said:
- only one <f/2 prime

- no WA or UWA fast primes

- no fast short tele for portraits

- etc.

EF-M by far does not offer full range of lenses.

Native RF-S lens range is even more underdeveloped. That is true and very sad.

The difference between M and RF-s: RF-s is also lacking the compact yet bright enough options to really benefit from getting rid of that adapter.

Mystic River · May 19, 2023

sportyaccordy said:
Canon_Guy said:

In EF-M there is no:

- f/2.8 UWA zoom

- f/4 UWA zoom

- f/2.8 standard zoom

- f/4 standard zoom

- f/2.8 tele

- f/4 tele

- 200+mm zoom

- 200+mm primes

- only one <f/2 prime

- no WA or UWA fast primes

- no fast short tele for portraits

- etc.

EF-M by far does not offer full range of lenses.

Native RF-S lens range is even more underdeveloped. That is true and very sad.

Click to expand...

OK, let me requalify my statement. EF-M natively covers a wider range of focal lengths and has a much broader range of fast primes. Obviously if you need premium constant aperture zooms or fast UWA primes or whatever you're out of luck, but there is far more available to build up a basic kit from than RF-S, even with FF RF glass included.

Truthfully, outside of the R7, EF-M is a much better system than RF-S, and I expect that to remain the case for years to come.

+1

EF-M 11-22mm, 22mm, 28mm macro, 32mm, Sigma 16mm/30mm/56mm (+more) are all fantastic lenses.

Yes, it will take years.

And all the EF lenses works like native on a M camera.

MyReality · May 19, 2023

I don't think the R50 has the same sensor as the M50 II, The R50 has better AF, face detection and a better screen along with some other features.

Canon_Guy · May 19, 2023

sportyaccordy said:
Canon_Guy said:

In EF-M there is no:

- f/2.8 UWA zoom

- f/4 UWA zoom

- f/2.8 standard zoom

- f/4 standard zoom

- f/2.8 tele

- f/4 tele

- 200+mm zoom

- 200+mm primes

- only one <f/2 prime

- no WA or UWA fast primes

- no fast short tele for portraits

- etc.

EF-M by far does not offer full range of lenses.

Native RF-S lens range is even more underdeveloped. That is true and very sad.

Click to expand...

OK, let me requalify my statement. EF-M natively covers a wider range of focal lengths and has a much broader range of fast primes.

Than what? If you mean than RF-S then yes. I state it above. Except the fast primessince 2 EF-M vs 0 RF-S is rather very poor vs extremely poor than "much broader".

sportyaccordy said:
Obviously if you need premium constant aperture zooms or fast UWA primes or whatever you're out of luck, but there is far more available to build up a basic kit from than RF-S, even with FF RF glass included.

If only the most basic is concerned than yes.

sportyaccordy said:
Truthfully, outside of the R7, EF-M is a much better system than RF-S

Not valid that generally. It is highly case dependent.

Do not make the mistake of confusing your subjective preferences with general characteristics.

sportyaccordy said:
and I expect that to remain the case for years to come.

--
Sometimes I take pictures with my gear- https://www.flickr.com/photos/41601371@N00/

noorhe · May 19, 2023

Wow, what a thread it's turned out to be.

If there is a chance, perhaps r10 may not be a bad choice either. Compared to r50, the r10 Has joystick, slightly better buffer, and a viewfinder which helps in bright sunlight rather than trying to look at the rear screen and eye AF is much better than z50.

Ali · May 19, 2023

noorhe said:
... Compared to r50, the r10 Has joystick, slightly better buffer, and a viewfinder

R50 has a viewfinder

noorhe said:
which helps in bright sunlight rather than trying to look at the rear screen and eye AF is much better than z50.

noorhe · May 19, 2023

Ali said:
noorhe said:

... Compared to r50, the r10 Has joystick, slightly better buffer, and a viewfinder

Click to expand...

R50 has a viewfinder

Thanks for the correction.

Ali said:
Ali said:

which helps in bright sunlight rather than trying to look at the rear screen and eye AF is much better than z50.

Click to expand...

Ali · May 23, 2023

Ali said:
Ali said:

Ali said:

Add a small low-light RF prime (16, 28, 35, 50 - take your pick), and that is usually enough for me.

Click to expand...

The 28mm doesn't exist

Click to expand...

Oops, I did mean to say 24mm.

Turns out there was a 28mm just around the corner!

But I do wish it was faster than 2.8

SOOC · Mar 28, 2024

R50 viewfinder is very small 0.59x

R50 vs Nikon Z50?

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