Canon EOS M50 vs Canon EOS 850D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS M50 and Canon EOS 850D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Canon.

Canon EOS M50 were released 2018 and Canon EOS 850D was released 2020. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS M50 2018
Canon EOS 850D 2020

Type of camera

Canon EOS M50 is a Mirrorless camera while Canon EOS 850D is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Canon APS-C") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS M50 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6
Canon EOS 850D 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Both these cameras have the exact same resolution. Canon EOS M50 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 850D has 24 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS M50 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000
Canon EOS 850D 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000

ISO range

Both of these cameras offer the exact same ISO range. They both have 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS M50 100-25600
Canon EOS 850D 100-25600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Worth mentioning is that Canon EOS M50 belongs to the Canon EOS M-system and needs an adapter to work with Canons EF, EF-S, MP-E, and TS-E lenses. You can read more about this adapter here:
Canon Lens Mount Adapter EF-EOS M

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS M50
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 850D

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS M50 can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 850D can shoot up to 7,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS M50 10
Canon EOS 850D 7,5

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Canon EOS M50 and Canon EOS 850D can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Canon EOS 850D weighs 515 gr (equal to 1.14 lb) which is 32% heavier than Canon EOS M50 and its 390 gr (or 0.86 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS M50 390 gr
0.86 lb
Canon EOS 850D 515 gr
1.14 lb

Canon EOS M50 vs Canon EOS 850D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS M50 and Canon EOS 850D, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Canon EOS M50
Canon EOS 850D
Name Canon EOS M50 Canon EOS 850D
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS M50
Canon EOS 850D
Release Year 2018 2020
Release Date 2018-02-26 2020-02-12
MSRP 779 USD 749 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS M50
Canon EOS 850D
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS M50
Canon EOS 850D
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 24 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 8 DIGIC 8
Image
Canon EOS M50
Canon EOS 850D
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 6 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS M50
Canon EOS 850D
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 143 45
Lens Mount Canon EF-M

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Canon EOS M50
Canon EOS 850D
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fully articulated
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 1040000 1040000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.82× (0.51× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 2360000 0
Photography features
Canon EOS M50
Canon EOS 850D
Frames per second 10 fps 7,5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 5 meters 4 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS M50
Canon EOS 850D
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Canon EOS M50
Canon EOS 850D
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS M50
Canon EOS 850D
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Built-in ( 802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth)
Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth)
Remote Control Yes (via Smartphone) Yes (via wireless remote or smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS M50
Canon EOS 850D
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Built-in Battery Pack
Battery Details LP-E12 lithium-ion battery & charger
LP-E17 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 235 shots 800 shots
Width 116 mm 131 mm
Height 88 mm 103 mm
Depth 59 mm 76 mm
Weight 390 gram 515 gram