Canon M50 Vs Sony A6500 - A Complete Comparison [2020]

Introduction

In February 2018 and October 2016, Canon and Sony announced that they would be introducing/ launching the Canon M50 and Sony a6500 into the market. Both these cameras are mirrorless cameras whose lenses are interchangeable. In this article we compare different elements of the cameras to give you a better understanding of how different or similar they are from each other and if you are thinking of buying one or the other, which one you should consider purchasing.

Comparison – At a Glance

Canon M50 vs Sony a6500 – Sensor Comparison

Both the Canon EOS M50 and the Sony a6500 have an APS-C CMOS sensor that delivers 24 megapixels when it is put to work. However, despite the sensor being the same, a deeper look into the dynamics of the sensors reveal that there are a few notable variations between the sensors in the two cameras. For starters, the sensors have a slight difference in their size as the sensor area of the Canon M50, which measures 332 mm² is 11% smaller than that of the Sony a6500 which measure 367 mm². This variation albeit small consequently translates to varying form factors. The form factor of the Canon M50 and Sony a6500 are 1.6x and 1.5x in that order. Both cameras have a 3:2 sensor width to height ratio also known as the native aspect ratio. The larger sensor of the Sony a6500 provides photographers with better control of the field of depth as well as blurry backgrounds, unlike the M50 which might be a tad difficult to manage when they are sued in the same aperture and focal length.

Canon M50 vs Sony a6500 – Body and Physical Attributes Comparison

Weight and size greatly influence a photographer’s decision when they are choosing a camera because nobody wants a camera whose weight or size will hinder them from doing their job appropriately. These two cameras are completely different in their physical build as Canon M50 has dimensions of 116 x 88 x 59 mm while the a6500’s dimensions are 120 x 67 x 53 mm. From the dimensions mentioned you will notice that the Canon M50 is 21mm taller and 6mm thicker while the Sony a6500 is 4mm thinner. This makes the a6500 conspicuously smaller than the Canon M50, but its small size should not fool you as it markedly heavier weighing at 543 grams in comparison to the M50’s 390 grams. This remarkable difference in weight can probably be attributed to the fact that the Sony a6500 features an environmental sealing that makes it water and dustproof. Finally, both the cameras have 3-inch LCD screens included as part of their body, and they’re available in black and white for the Canon M50 and just black for the a6500.

Canon M50 vs Sony a6500 – Electronic View Finder (EVF)

The two cameras both have electronic viewfinders built into them. The electronic viewfinders in the cameras have similar measurements (0.39-inches) and a resolution of 2.36 megapixels. However, the EVF features different magnification levels of 0.60x and 0.70x correspondingly. The viewfinders on both cameras offer 100% viewfinder coverage and have diopter adjustment capabilities. As far as the EVF is concerned, the Sony a6500 has an advantage.

Which One Should You Opt for?

Each of the cameras has its set of strengths and weaknesses that are unique to it. Below we look at the various strengths of the cameras so you can draw your conclusions depending on the one that you feel carries the day for you.

Strengths Of the Canon EOS M50

• A lot has been said all over the internet about this camera. The Canon M50 excels in the following areas;
• Its LCD screen is has a better resolution of 1040K dots in comparison to 922K dots which means it is more detailed. In the same breath, the LCD screen also has more flexibility as it swivels in various directions and facilitates shooting imagery at odd angles in either landscape or portrait orientation
• The fact that the screen is well-articulated means that individuals can also use the M50 for selfies as they can turn the screen to face the front.
• The M50 is 63 grams lighter than the a6500, which makes it more portable and easier to carry while on the go.
• The Canon M50 has Bluetooth as a connectivity option which means you can effortlessly share your images without needing any cables.
• It is relatively cheaper and modern, given that it was introduced 16 months after the Sony a6500.

Strengths of the Sony a6500

• The Sony a6500 has better video capabilities as it can capture 4K quality video at 30 frames per second in comparison to the M50’s 24 frames per second.
• It allows for totally silent shooting thanks to its electronic shutter option.
• Even though its weights much more than the Canon M50, its body is more compact and therefore smaller which means it can easily fit into your bags.
• A single battery charge will get you more shots (350 shots versus 250 shots).
• The camera does not need a power outlet as it can be charged through its USB port. This makes the camera ideal for traveling and for photographers who are constantly on the move.
• With the a6500 worrying about weather conditions is a thing of the past since the camera is weather sealed, making it splash and dustproof.
• It has inbuilt image stabilization that reduces handshake impact by ensuring the sensor does not shift unnecessarily. This means that your images will be much sharper.
• Because the camera was launched much earlier than the M50, you are likely to find it being heavily discounted.

Final Thoughts

Unfortunately, we were unable to make a final decision on which camera was better than the other because their strengths and weaknesses balanced each other out in the different elements. However, we hope that the comparison has helped you make your decision concerning which camera is better suited for your budget and your needs. Only you can place the appropriate weight on the different features depending on what it is that you are trying to accomplish.