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Help a newbie choose please... SL3 vs M50

bubbapuck
Apprentice

Hello All!

 

I have always wanted to take on photography as a hobby but have never been able to afford it. My kids are grown and grandbabies are here so I thought now would be a great time to splurge a little and start a hobby I have always dreamed about. I am not a rich man but have given myself around a $1000 (give or take) to find a good starter camera. If I love the hobby like I think I will, I can grow in the future but for now this is a good starting point.

 

The main reason I am starting this hobby now is in the next 2 years I will be crusing to Alaska and Mexico, going to Hawaii and Disney World. I want to have a nice camera to capture these events as well as grandkids sporting events (13 yo, 10 yo, and 6 yo). I plan to use my camera equally for photographs and for video.

 

I have been researching via youtube and online courses so I know some of the basics and have a VERY general undertsanding of the terminology. At this time I am planning on either the SL3 or the M50 (leaning towards SL3 for cost reasons... want to keep them low if possible). I want to list the positive and negatives, as this newbie understands, so I know how important the pros and cons are for my situation so I can make a well educated choice.

 

  • SL3 is a DSLR and M50 is mirrorless. I understand the differences as far as what they are and size wise but does one take better pictures than the other?
  • M50 records HD at 24 FPS while SL3 does not (NTSC). This seems to be a point of controversy. They say 24 FPS is for cinematic video. I plan to do basic youtube and family videos. Is this that big an issue in my situtaion.
  • I heard that SL3 records 25 FPS in PAL. The difference between 24 and 25 doesnt seem that big a deal to a newb. If I switch to PAL, is there a difference in quality or anything why I wouldnt just switch if wanting the 25 FPS? I live in California if that matters.
  • SL3 seems to have a better array of lenses that are more affordable. The M50 you have to add an adapter to get all SL3 lenses or use the more expensive EF-M lenses. If I use the adapter, does the picture quality suffer at all with this adapter. Cost wise is like the SL3 but if the adapter doesnt make a difference, the M50 may be more manageable.
  • SL3 seems to have a much better battery. Again, for cost and sanity purposes, I like the fact that the battery life is better.
  • M50 seems to have better image stabilization (in-body). This seems like an important difference but not sure how big of a difference. With the SL3 lens syabilization, will that be good enough for my generic use. I dont like when I get hand shake in my videos but not sure how big a difference between the two really is.
  • The burst shooting on the M50 is twice as good. For my Alaska and grands soccer shots, I may want a better burst. Is this something that is an important thing or will 5 FPS be suffice?
  • SL3 has eye detection while M50 does not. I am not sure if eye detection in general is that much
    better. I plan to get better and learn more but I dont think eye focus should sway my decision.
  • SL3 hot shoe is missing a pin meaning you have to use Canon only flash. This can cause more cost to the SL3. The SL3 has a built in flash. Is this a good enough flash or will I need to get a better flash and this is something I need to worry about when it comes to cost. I alsi have to think that 3rd party companies will eventually develop for this hot shoe.
  • Neither are weather resistant. I am fearful with going to so many different environments over the next few year I may have an issue and my camera be ruined. How easy is it to have a weather related issue with the cameras? Should I put some sort of cover over the camera if I get the rain of Alasake or the sand of the Hawaian beaches?
  • I like these two cameras because of their capabilities and the cost. For $1000 I cam get the camera in a bindle to provide more lenses and gear. Would it be better to go up to a better camera and have fewer lenses/gear or for my purposes, stick with the lower level cameras?

I apolgize for this being so long but I am hoping to get myself better educated before the Black Friday sales come!

 

Thanks... Bubba

45 REPLIES 45

"You need to focus in the needs of the OP."

As I explained earlier, I don't see much difference between what the OP needs and what I needed at the time I was looking for an ILC, which I think are similar to the needs of most people - or at least a significant percentage of them - looking at getting their first ILC.

Kevin Rahe
EOS M50 Mark II

Unless you conducted an actual poll with a large enough sample size, you cannot make claims like "most" or "significant percentage".

Everyone can have opinions on what they think is the "best" camera one should purchase at any given time.  But to make an informed decision, one should look at actual facts.

--
Ricky

Camera: EOS 5D IV, EF 50mm f/1.2L, EF 135mm f/2L
Lighting: Profoto Lights & Modifiers

I think a bigger issue is having a dogma against something because you wouldn't buy it for yourself. Just because it's not right for you doesn't mean it wouldn't be the best choice for someone in a different situation.

Kevin Rahe
EOS M50 Mark II


@krahe wrote:

"You need to focus in the needs of the OP."

As I explained earlier, I don't see much difference between what the OP needs and what I needed at the time I was looking for an ILC, which I think are similar to the needs of most people - or at least a significant percentage of them - looking at getting their first ILC.


The needs of the OP are no longer relevant.  This original post is more than a couple of years old.  I do not know who, how, or why this thread has been hijacked.  

Have a nice day, everyone.  

--------------------------------------------------------
"The right mouse button is your friend."

It looks like someone came across it and posted a response, perhaps not realizing the date of the original post. The principles involved, however, remain quite relevant, even if some facts and circumstances have changed in the meantime.

Kevin Rahe
EOS M50 Mark II

I agree with Bill on this one.  This is turning into a pointless debate that is bordering on clickbait.


cheers, TREVOR

"All the variety, all the charm, all the beauty of life is made up of light and shadow", Leo Tolstoy;
"Skill in photography is acquired by practice and not by purchase" Percy W. Harris
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