Canon EOS M50 Vs. EOS M200: Which Camera Is Right For You?

Canon’s EOS M mirrorless camera line offers an appealing option for photographers looking for a compact and lightweight alternative to bulkier DSLRs. Two popular models in the EOS M lineup are the EOS M50 and EOS M200.

While both deliver high quality photos and video in a small form factor, there are some key differences to consider when deciding between these two cameras.

In this detailed comparison guide, we’ll break down the pros, cons, features and performance of the EOS M50 Vs. EOS M200 to help you determine which Canon mirrorless camera best fits your needs and budget.

A Brief Comparison Table

Canon EOS M50 Overview

The Canon EOS M50 was released in 2018 as Canon’s first mirrorless camera with 4K video recording capabilities. It features a 24.1 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor and DIGIC 8 image processor for capturing detailed, vibrant photos and up to 4K UHD 24p video.

Some of the EOS M50’s highlights include:

• Lightweight body at just 390g
• Fast autofocus with 143-point AF system
• Flip out 3” vari-angle touchscreen LCD
• Built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF)
• Up to 10 fps continuous shooting
• Built-in WiFi, NFC and Bluetooth connectivity
• In-camera raw processing

The EOS M50 has a beginning friendly price point, making it a great choice for budget-focused creators looking to dip into vlogging, travel videos or digital content creation. It’s a feature-packed mirrorless camera in a compact form factor.

Canon EOS M200 Overview

In late 2019 Canon released the successor to the popular EOS M100 – the EOS M200. This entry-level mirrorless camera retains a lightweight and portable body while adding some new features.

Key specs and capabilities of the EOS M200 include:

• 24.1 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
• DIGIC 8 image processor
• Compact and slim body at just 299g
• Dual Pixel CMOS AF for fast autofocus
• Flip up 3” touchscreen LCD
• Up to 6 fps continuous shooting
• 4K video recording
• Built-in WiFi and Bluetooth

The Canon EOS M200 delivers impressive image quality and speedy performance for its size. It’s geared towards beginner photographers and casual content creators looking for an easy-to-use, wallet-friendly mirrorless option. The lack of a built-in EVF helps keep this camera compact and portable.

Also Read: Is Canon EOS M50 Mark II Better Than Rebel T7?

Canon EOS M50 Vs. M200: Key Differences

Now that we’ve covered the highlights of each camera, let’s dive into the key differences between the Canon EOS M50 and EOS M200:

• Body Design

While both cameras have a compact, lightweight build, the M50 provides more physical controls with its EVF, mode dial, and extra control dials. The simpler M200 relies more heavily on touchscreen control.

• Viewfinder

The M50 has a 0.39-type, 2.36M dot electronic viewfinder built-in for composing shots eye-level. The M200 lacks an EVF and must be framed via the rear LCD screen.

• LCD Screen

The EOS M50 is equipped with a flip out, vari-angle touchscreen, while the M200 has a simpler flip up, tilting touchscreen. The vari-angle screen allows more flexibility for vlogging, selfies or shooting at challenging angles.

• Video Capabilities

Both cameras offer 4K video, but only the M50 provides full sensor-width 4K recording, a mic input jack, and YouTube live streaming. The M200 has a heavy crop in 4K mode, limiting wide angle shooting potential.

• Connectivity

Built-in WiFi, NFC and Bluetooth connectivity comes standard on the EOS M50. The M200 lacks NFC and offers only Bluetooth and WiFi.

• Battery Life

The EOS M50 gets up to 235 shots per charge (870 with Eco mode) while the M200 is limited to 315 shots per charge, giving the M50 a battery life advantage.

• Price

With an MSRP around $600 including a kit lens, the M50 costs nearly twice as much as the M200, which sells for roughly $350-$400 with a 15-45mm lens. For many, the extra cost may be worth the added features and capabilities.

Now let’s take a more detailed look at how these two cameras compare across some key factors:

Image Quality

The EOS M50 and EOS M200 share the same 24MP APS-C sensor, so image quality is very similar between the two models. You can expect excellent detail, sharpness and color rendering when shooting JPEGs or raw images with either camera. Low light performance is also on par thanks to the DIGIC 8 processor.

For most users, the image quality differences will be negligible between the M50 and M200. Only those printing large or heavily cropping photos are likely to observe a difference.

Some advantages the M50 does hold in the image quality department include:

• Wider ISO range of 100-25600 (Vs. 100-25600 on the M200)
• Dual Pixel CMOS AF for faster, smoother autofocus, especially for video
• More control over shooting settings like white balance and Picture Styles
• Ability to process raw images in-camera

But for general still photos, the M200 performs very similarly to the M50 in image quality and focus accuracy. Having the same sensor and processor keeps results close between the two models.

Video Recording

Both the Canon EOS M50 and M200 offer 4K UHD video recording at 24 fps. However, the way they handle 4K is quite different:

• The M50 records full sensor width 4K video, providing a wider field of view that takes better advantage of wide angle lenses.
• The M200 has a heavy 1.6x crop factor when shooting 4K video that essentially “zooms in”, narrowing the field of view.

The M50 also supports up to Full HD 120 fps slow motion video, which the M200 lacks. So for better wide angle 4K footage and slow motion video options, the EOS M50 certainly has the video capabilities edge.

On the audio side, the M50 features both a microphone jack for external mics as well as built-in stereo mics. The M200 relies solely on its single built-in mono microphone.

For vlogging, live streaming or more advanced video needs, the EOS M50 is the better equipped model. But for casual home movies and social media clips, the M200 can still get the job done.

Autofocus Performance

For mirrorless cameras, autofocus capabilities play a huge role in providing a seamless shooting experience. The EOS M50 and M200 both utilize Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF system across approx. 80% of the sensor for fast, accurate focusing with minimal hunting.

However, the M50 leverages the more advanced second generation version of Dual Pixel CMOS AF. This provides smoother subject tracking and more reliable focus in low light conditions. The M50 also has a wider focus area coverage through its viewfinder.

Both cameras provide face detection and touch-to-focus capabilities as well. The M50 one-ups the M200 again though with Eye AF for automatically detecting and focusing precisely on your subject’s eyes to help get tack sharp portraits.

For family photos, casual use and stationary subjects, you’ll be pleased with the focusing performance of either camera. But the M50 has the upper hand for shooting active kids and pets, travel candids or video recording requiring smooth autofocus.

Also Read: Is Nikon D3200 Better Than D3500?

Design & Handling

The outward designs of the M50 and M200 are quite different, which lend themselves to different shooting experiences:

• Body Layout

The M50 offers a more traditional camera body design with its centrally located electronic viewfinder hump and right hand side grip. This provides a secure, stable feeling when holding the camera up to your eye. The M200 lacks a built-in EVF and grip, opting for a flat, brick-like shape that focuses entirely around the rear LCD screen.

• Control Interface

A mode dial, control dial and several shortcut buttons on the M50 give quick access to shooting settings changes. The streamlined M200 relies largely on touchscreen control through the Q menu rather than physical buttons and dials.

• Size & Weight

Despite the larger EVF housing and grip, the EOS M50 remains remarkably compact at just 116.3 x 88.1 x 58.7 mm. It weighs only 390g with the battery and memory card installed. The M200 shaves the body down slightly more, to 108.2 x 67.1 x 35 mm while weighing just 299g.

For travel and all-day carrying, both deliver a highly portable package that won’t weigh you down. The M50 offers a bit more to physically hold onto, while the M200 promotes a simpler, even more minimalist experience.

Battery Life

With mirrorless cameras, battery life is often a tradeoff versus the benefit of a smaller form factor. Between the EOS M50 and M200, there’s a clear winner when it comes to longevity per charge.

The EOS M50 is CIPA rated for up to 235 shots per charge, or 470 shots in Eco mode. Turn on the EVF to frame shots instead of the rear LCD, and you can extend this up to 870 shots per charge.

Meanwhile the EOS M200 is capable of just 315 shots per charge using either the LCD or EVF.

The M50’s extra battery life gives it an advantage for travel, long days of shooting or any situation where recharging opportunities are limited. Carrying spare batteries can help offset the M200’s shorter battery life. But it’s definitely something to factor in if you’ll be off the grid and shooting heavily during a day.

Accessories & Lenses

Since both cameras use Canon’s EF-M lens mount, they have access to the same range of compact EF-M lenses designed specifically for the EOS M system. This includes a handful of options such as:

• Canon EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM (kit lens)
• Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM (pancake prime lens)
• Canon EF-M 55-200mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM (telephoto zoom)
• Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM (wide angle zoom)

The M50 and M200 can also be used with EF and EF-S lenses via the Canon EF-EOS M adapter, albeit without continuous autofocus capability.

For flash photography, both cameras have a hot shoe to connect external flashes like Canon’s Speedlite series. The M50’s has more contacts for communicating with high end flash units.

Other EOS M50 specific accessories to note include:

• EVF-DC1 electronic viewfinder
• EVF-DC2 tilting viewfinder
• External microphone jack for improved audio
• Remote control support

When it comes to accessories and lens options, the EOS M50 definitely provides greater room to grow your kit for different styles of shooting. But the M200 still covers basics like flash photography reasonably well.

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Price & Value

As an entry-level model with fewer features, the Canon EOS M200 carries a more budget-friendly price tag. The M200 originally retailed for $549 with a 15-45mm kit lens, but can now easily be found new for under $400 – a great value!

The EOS M50 debuted with a $779 MSRP including a 15-45mm kit lens. These days it sells for around $600 new, sometimes less during promotions. That’s certainly pricier than the M200, but still relatively affordable for a feature-packed mirrorless camera with 4K video.

For beginners and casual users on a tight budget, the M200 offers a very affordable way to dip your toes into Canon’s mirrorless system and take advantage of Dual Pixel AF in a small camera.

However, the EOS M50 adds a lot of useful tools – the EVF, faster burst shooting, mic jack, 4K video without crop – that some will find worth paying extra. The M50 provides more room to grow for those interested in vlogging, travel videos or maximizing creative control.

So while the M200 gives you quite a bit for the money, the EOS M50 packs in even more functionality for its price point relative to other mirrorless cameras on the market.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Also Read: Choose Between Canon 5DSR And 5D Mark IV.

The Verdict

So which is the better pick – the Canon EOS M50 or M200? Let’s summarize the key advantages of each model:

Reasons to Choose the Canon EOS M50:

• Built-in electronic viewfinder
• Vari-angle flip touchscreen
• More external controls and dials
• Mic jack for external microphones
• Faster 10 fps burst shooting
• Full sensor width 4K video
• Longer battery life
• More accessories available

Reasons to Choose the Canon EOS M200:

• Lighter, more compact flat-body design
• Simpler operation for beginners
• Much more affordable price
• Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity
• Selfie-friendly tilting touchscreen
• Excellent image quality from 24MP sensor

For many first time buyers or casual users, the well-rounded capabilities and bargain price point of the M200 are very compelling. It’s a great entry point into mirrorless shooting.

However, the EOS M50 adds a lot of extra features and functionality that make it better suited for enthusiasts, travel photographers, vloggers and content creators who need more advanced tools.

The M50’s viewfinder, faster burst rate, microphone jack and enhanced video abilities give creators more room to grow into as their skills develop. And the tilt screen, larger grip and extra controls provide a better handling experience for more active shooting.

So if your budget allows, the Canon EOS M50 represents a worthwhile step up that will grow better with you over time. But the EOS M200 remains a remarkably capable camera for its size and price point as well. Either way, both the M50 and M200 deliver excellent image quality and highly portable designs. So it’s hard to go wrong with picking Canon for your first mirrorless camera!