• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Canon EOS M50 advantages over Nikon Z5

  • Less expensive
    $649 vs $1297
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • More dots on screen
    1620k vs 1040k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Nikon Z5 advantages over Canon EOS M50

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.97 vs 3.72 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Newer
    4 years vs 7 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 51200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Both provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

User reviews

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Buy the Canon EOS M50
Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Black)
  • Kit with 15-45mm Lens (Black)
  • Kit with 15-45mm Lens (White)
  • Kit with with 15-45mm and 55-200mm Lenses (Black)
  • Video Creator Kit (Black)
All EOS M50 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon Z5
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 24-200mm f/4-6.3 Lens
  • Kit with 24-50mm f/4-6.3 Lens
All Z5 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Comfortable ergonomics and solid build; Versatile EVF and tilt-swivel, touch-screen LCD; Good image quality; Great performance for its class; New C-RAW format saves on raw file size; 4K video is an M-series first.

  • Somewhat limited dynamic range; JPEGs a little soft at base ISO, and more so at higher ISOs; Warm white balance under incandescent light; Poor battery life; Raw buffer is still shallow (but C-RAW helps).

  • Read our Canon EOS M50 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon EOS M5

Canon EOS M50
Canon EOS M5
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon EOS M50 vs Canon EOS M5

Nikon Z5
Canon EOS M5
  • $1097
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • NFC

Compare Nikon Z5 vs Canon EOS M5

Compared to Sony A6400

Canon EOS M50
Sony A6400
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $823
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M50 vs Sony A6400

Nikon Z5
Sony A6400
  • $1097
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $823
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon Z5 vs Sony A6400

Compared to Sony A6100

Canon EOS M50
Sony A6100
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Higher-res screen
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M50 vs Sony A6100

Nikon Z5
Sony A6100
  • $1097
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon Z5 vs Sony A6100

Compared to Nikon Z6 II

Canon EOS M50
Nikon Z6 II
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon EOS M50 vs Nikon Z6 II

Nikon Z5
Nikon Z6 II
  • $1097
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Top deck display
  • More dots on screen

Compare Nikon Z5 vs Nikon Z6 II

Compared to Panasonic S5 II

Canon EOS M50
Panasonic S5 II
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • NFC
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $2000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Slower slow-motion

Compare Canon EOS M50 vs Panasonic S5 II

Nikon Z5
Panasonic S5 II
  • $1097
  • 35mm
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $2000
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite

Compare Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic S5 II

Compare Other Cameras?