The Canon EOS 200D (called Canon SL2 in some regions) and the Canon EOS M50 are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in June 2017 and February 2018. The 200D is a DSLR, while the M50 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. Both cameras are equipped with an APS-C sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 24 megapixels. Show Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.  Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS 200D and the Canon EOS M50? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.
Body comparisonThe physical size and weight of the Canon 200D and the Canon M50 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter. Both cameras are available in two different colors (black, white). If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon M50 is notably smaller (10 percent) than the Canon 200D. Moreover, the M50 is markedly lighter (14 percent) than the 200D. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the 200D nor the M50 are weather-sealed. The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems. Concerning battery life, the 200D gets 650 shots out of its LP-E17 battery, while the M50 can take 235 images on a single charge of its LP-E12 power pack. The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options. Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The 200D was launched at a markedly lower price (by 30 percent) than the M50, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.
Sensor comparisonThe imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider , and have richer than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses. Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 1.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2. Technology-wise, the M50 uses a more advanced image processing engine (DIGIC 8) than the 200D (DIGIC 7), with benefits for noise reduction, color accuracy, and processing speed. The two cameras under review do not only share the same sensor size, but also offer an identical resolution of 24 megapixels. This similarity in sensor specs implies that both the 200D and the M50 have the same pixel density, as well as the same pixel size. It should, however, be noted that the M50 is a somewhat more recent model (by 7 months) than the 200D, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time. The Canon EOS 200D has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 25600, which can be extended to ISO 100-51200. The Canon EOS M50 offers exactly the same ISO settings. Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras. Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras. Sensor Characteristics # Camera Model Sensor Class Resolution (MP) Horiz. Pixels Vert. Pixels Video Format DXO Portrait DXO Landscape DXO Sports DXO Overall 1. Canon 200D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.613.41041792. Canon M50 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/24p23.813.31684813. Canon M50 Mark II APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/24p24.013.61939834. Canon 250D APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/25p23.913.41791825. Canon G5 X Mark II 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.212.4583656. Canon M6 Mark II APS-C 32.3 6960 46404K/30p24.013.51848837. Canon 2000D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.611.91009718. Canon 77D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.613.3971789. Canon 800D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.713.115868010. Canon G9 X Mark II 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p21.912.55226511. Canon M6 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.412.613177812. Canon M100 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.512.912727813. Canon M5 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.412.412627714. Canon 760D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.612.09157015. Canon M3 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.811.811697216. Canon 100D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.811.38436317. Nikon D3400 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.813.9119286 Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the M50 provides a better video resolution than the 200D. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/24p, while the 200D is limited to 1080/60p.
Feature comparisonApart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the M50 has an electronic viewfinder (2360k dots), while the 200D has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Canon 200D and Canon M50 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras. Core Features # Camera Model Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots) Control Panel (yes/no) LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots) LCD Attach- ment Touch Screen (yes/no) Max Shutter Speed * Max Shutter Flaps * Built-in Flash (yes/no) Built-in Image Stab 1. Canon 200Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n 2. Canon M502360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 10.0/s Y n 3. Canon M50 Mark II2360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 10.0/s Y n 4. Canon 250Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n 5. Canon G5 X Mark II2360 n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/2000s 30/s Y Y 6. Canon M6 Mark IIoptional n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 14.0/s Y n 7. Canon 2000Doptical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n 8. Canon 77Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n 9. Canon 800Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n 10. Canon G9 X Mark IInone n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/2000s 8.2/s Y Y 11. Canon M6optional n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 9.0/s Y n 12. Canon M100none n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 6.1/s Y n 13. Canon M52360 n3.2 / 1620 tilting Y 1/4000s 9.0/s Y n 14. Canon 760Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n 15. Canon M3optional n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 4.2/s Y n 16. Canon 100Doptical n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/4000s 4.9/s Y n 17. Nikon D3400optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
Both cameras have an articulated rear screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This feature will be particularly appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies. The Canon M50 has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software. Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the 200D and the M50 write their files to SDXC cards. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s.
Connectivity comparisonFor some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS 200D and Canon EOS M50 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer. Input-Output Connections # Camera Model Hotshoe Port Internal Mic / Speaker Microphone Port Headphone Port HDMI Port USB Port WiFi Support NFC Support Bluetooth Support 1. Canon 200DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY 2. Canon M50Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y 3. Canon M50 Mark IIYstereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y 4. Canon 250DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0Y-Y 5. Canon G5 X Mark II-stereo / mono--micro3.1Y-Y 6. Canon M6 Mark IIYstereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y 7. Canon 2000DYmono / mono--mini2.0YY- 8. Canon 77DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY 9. Canon 800DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY 10. Canon G9 X Mark II-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY 11. Canon M6Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY 12. Canon M100-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY 13. Canon M5Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY 14. Canon 760DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YY- 15. Canon M3Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YY- 16. Canon 100DYmono / monoY-mini2.0--- 17. Nikon D3400Ymono / mono--mini2.0--Y
Both the 200D and the M50 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The 200D was replaced by the Canon 250D, while the M50 was followed by the Canon M50 Mark II. Further information on the features and operation of the 200D and M50 can be found, respectively, in the Canon 200D Manual (free pdf) or the online Canon M50 Manual.
Review summarySo what is the bottom line? Which of the two cameras – the Canon 200D or the Canon M50 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants. Advantages of the Canon EOS 200D:
Reasons to prefer the Canon EOS M50:
If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the M50 emerges as the winner of the match-up (8 : 5 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional sports photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a street photog, and a person interested in family portraits has distinct needs from a landscape shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one. 200D 05:08 M50 How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon 200D and the Canon M50 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop. In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the 200D or the M50. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased. Expert reviewsThis is why expert reviews are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice. The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time. Other camera comparisonsDid this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.
Specifications: Canon 200D vs Canon M50Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features. |
