Exactly one year ago I posted my first pics on my newly opened Instagram account, they were pics I took with a phone or taken with a camera but not by me. A month later (29th July 2019) I started posting photos I started taking with my beginner gears set-up you can check here. Re-reading this beginner’s post I have to say I still stand by the things I wrote and, with now more experience on my shoulders, I think there are a couple of good points in there for people thinking of getting started with photography and I think they apply also when trying to decide to upgrade gears.
Without any further ado let’s dive in and let’s see what’s new in my camera bag…
CAMERA: from Canon M50 to Canon EOS R
WHAT’S DIFFERENT:
| Canon M50 | Conon EOS R | |
| Camera type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Sensor size | APS-C (1.6 crop factor) | Full Frame |
| Sensor resolution | 24.1MP | 30.3MP |
| Processor | DIGIC 8 | DIGIC 8 |
| Continuous shooting | 10fps | 8fps |
| Mount | EF-M | RF |
| Max ISO | 25600 | 40000 |
| Max shutter speed | 1/4000 sec. | 1/8000 sec. |
| Focus points | 143 | 5655 |
| Weather sealing | No | Yes |
| Battery life (clicks) | 235 | 370 |
| Weight | 390g | 660g |
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN:
Having a full frame sensor, as on the EOS R, simply means you will have a wider field of view. “Full frame” equates to the traditional 35mm film size which is 36x24mm; back in the days of films this format was classified as small and there was a medium and large format as well. One of the advantages is that you can “squeeze in” more of the scene you intend to photograph and allows for a shallower depth of field giving more emphasis to the subject when needed. The bigger sensor is also more effective in low light situations (thus a higher Max ISO) and offers a bigger dynamic range which, in simple terms, means that you can capture and have at your disposal more data when editing. If there is one thing that I really like about the M50 and its 1.6 crop sensor is that changes your focal length by a factor of… you guessed it… 1.6. For example your 50mm lens becomes a 80mm, your 70-200 becomes a 112-320 and in some circumstances that is an advantage. But remember that it is also true that full-frame sensors usually come in semi-pro or pro bodies and the custom settings that will come with it won’t be any less. In all cases (I presume) you will have the option to set your sensor from full frame to crop and what that will do is to reduce your field of view but at the same time will give that x1.6 focal length should you need it.
Now everybody’s favourite, megapixels (MP). Simply put more pixels mean more data and more data means more flexibility when editing. That is particularly true when cropping tight and when you want to make large prints of your pictures. Despite these tangible advantages I must say that, in my opinion, the whole MP war going on between manufactures is a bit of an artificial marketing hype. What I mean is that 24.1 MP, like my M50 for example, are more that enough for a lot of type of photography and styles. Sure, 30MP are better, there are tangible advantages but the number of MP is what the majority of people look at and amongst the general public it is the stat that everybody is familiar with therefore has become a big selling point to be put at the top of the spec sheet. A high MP count, if not balanced with other specs, might become a disadvantage for certain uses. For example…
A good example are “frame per second” (fps). The fps is the number of images you can take in a second when shooting in continuous mode. To me this stat is more telling than other stats because it gives you an idea of a couple of factors such as processor quality and writing speed. If you look at the difference between the M50 and the EOS R you will see that the EOS R is 2 fps slower. What that means is that if you like to shoot sports (no, golf is not a sport) or wild life, with the R, you have a slightly higher chance to miss the perfect shot. Looking deeper into the M50 vs EOS R specs you will notice that the processor is the same and, if you are familiar with these two cameras, you will also know that they both use a single SD card slot. The R being 2fps suggests that the internal memory of the two cameras might be the same and that the writing speed (the speed with which the data is transferred from the internal memory to the SD card) is the same as well so that, when shooting in continuous, they probably hit the buffer at the same time. And why would that be? Because the 30.3 MP of the EOS R contain more info and fill up the internal memory quicker so, to make sure the camera doesn’t hit the buffer too soon, the fps have been brought down a bit.
To finish my point about an upgrade on the camera body, as I said before, higher level cameras come with higher level perks such as higher shutter speed, more focus points and better focus systems, better build (weather sealing in the case of the EOS R) and longer battery life or the possibility to use an aftermarket battery grip which is not an option on cameras like the M50.
LENSES: from EF-M to RF mount
WHAT’S DIFFERENT:
From a lens prospective the only change that happened in my camera bag is the addition of the RF 24-105mm f4 L IS USM to my pre-existing lenses. RF is the new Canon mount system designed for the mirrorless R series camera. It retains the 54mm internal diameter of the historical EF mount but moves from 8 to 12 pins and has a flange focal distance of 20mm compared to the 44mm of the EF mount (that is what happens what you remove the mirror!).
The new RF Mount (54mm – 12 pins) 
RF to EF adapter
With the appropriate adapter it still supports EF and EF-S lenses. There are currently three adapters: one is a simple adapter RF to EF (recovers the flange focal distance), a control-ring mount adapter and drop-in filter mount adapter. Personally, with the move to the EOS R, I lose the possibility to use the two EF-M lenses that I have and I will be able to use them only with the M50 because there isn’t and adapter from RF to EF-M. This is only partially annoying for two reasons: 1) one of the two EF-M I have came as a kit lens with the M50 and I have no intention to drop the M50, 2) I knew this was going to happen (see my previous post). I don’t mean to sound more smug than I’m with my second statement so let me explain: when I bought the M50, the EOS R was already out and it was clear that with this new line Canon was trying to recover the lost ground on mirrorless. The introduction of a new mount is a big commitment and can piss a lot of existing customers off regardless of an adapter existing or not. This alone was and is a sign of Canon going for it. Further proof, and what made me ultimately decide to upgrade to this system, is the fact that the R line is being expanded with the R5 and possibly the R6 and the road map of the RF lenses is as extensive as comprehensive.
As said in the past, lenses are, in my view, where the real investment should be. For me as a Canon user the RF lenses represent the way forward and the technical investment is evident enough to justify gravitating in that direction.
WHAT ELSE IS NEW IN MY CAMERA BAG
On top of the EOS R and the RF 24-105mm I did not add much to my camera bag. As you might know I’m a supporter of filters (ND and Polarising mainly) so I expanded a bit my collection of screw-on Hoya filters and I bought an L-bracket for the EOS R. Depending on the type of photography you do, an L-bracket could be quite useful especially if you use often a tripod and, from my experience, also offers indirectly an added layer of protection from accidental drops to your camera (…I’m not suggesting that is what they are build to do).
IS IT WORTH UPGRADING THEN?
My final verdict is yes, it was worth it. Was it necessary? No it wasn’t. Transitioning, as total novice, from the M50 with its crop-sensor, unimpressive low-light performance and its 24.1MP sensor to the EOS R gave me the possibility to experience both camera types and become more aware of the differences. It pushed me to learn more about the subject, to ask myself more questions and to consider more seriously what kind of photography I want to prioritise and which direction I want to move towards. It also made me more aware of my current limitations because I realised soon that the EOS R, with its different set of specs, works differently (at least in my hands) and I had to adapt to get to where I was with the M50. Last but not least it made me realise that the camera, as primary tool for photography, is important but it won’t make yo any better as a photographer. This is why I said it wasn’t necessary. What makes the difference is you and your eye, your ability to convey the message you want to convey through your images and you can do that with any camera and any lens. The smug, honest reality is that I upgraded because I wanted and because I could but I did it conscious that the important thing is that I keep learning and practising.
My final recommendation is to base your decision to upgrade on your own personal circumstances bearing in mind that the priority investment is you and your knowledge, gears come second by a mile and will always be a compromise. If you are on a tight budget make sure that you spend on yourself first, take classes, buy and read books, attend seminars. Spend your time meeting people that are interested in the type of photography you aspire to master and, most importantly, spend time going out there to shoot.
