Canon EOS R50 vs R10 for a beginner

[kirdovada]

Hello,

I just received a Canon eos R50 as a gift and I had no prior equipment before that. I want to know if I should sell it and put some money on top to buy the R10 or the R50 would suffice as a first camera as I have no prior experience taking pictures.

Thank you.

[ebiggs1]

"I have no prior experience taking pictures."

Use the R50 and find out what you like and or need. At this point you are almost certainly going to buy the wrong gear. Knowledge is power. The EOS R50 is a basic entry level camera while the R10 is an intermediate level. Experience will tell you if you need to move to it or not.

[March411]

Yep, what ebiggs said....

I own the R50 and it's a good little camera, light weight, easy to carry and will produce some outstanding images if you mount good glass. I would hold onto it and see what you can do with it before looking to buy something else. Gain the knowledge like ebiggs suggests, you may find you like the body for it's size, weight and the images it can provide and keep it. Good to have more then one body, once you learn what you have you may want to add another body to your stable.

Both of these came off of the R50 and the Canon RF100mm Macro

[SignifDigits]

Thanks for dropping in and asking!

I'm seconding what Marc and ebiggs1 said.  Your camera can make great photographs, and the best camera in the world won't make you great photographer.   I suggest you focus on learning that camera inside and out and start your journey into learning photography. Suggestions from someone who has been where you are:

1) Use the camera a LOT and progress through the steps suggested below or map out another one that better suits you.

2) Set the camera to auto and experiment.  Especially learn composition.  There are lots of online resources and good books.  This will move you from taking snapshots to more interesting photographs that you will enjoy more and more as you get better and better.  Or take a course.  All classes I know of require that you shoot in manual mode, so.  Remember that great photographs are really great art.  Art takes time, so be patient.

3 ) Learn to shoot in Manual mode.  This will teach you what is really going on.  Mirrorless cameras like the R50 are amazing tools for this.  What you see is what you get.  You might find that you prefer Program mode once you really understand Manual mode.  Or you may want to just stay in Manual mode forever.

3) If you want to spend money, spend it on superior lenses.   They are more expensive for very good reasons.  Though it's your skill using them that matters even more.

4) Watch the videos, download the software and learn to post-process in Canon Digital Photo Professional (DPP).  It's free.  Save your $$ for a good tripod, case, lenses, etc.  I recently bought a printer.  Printing out my favorites in large format is a lot of fun.

5) And this is the MOST important of all - do NOT stress, but DO HAVE FUN!!!  Figuring out everything in the (814 pages!) Advanced User Guide isn't going to happen all at once - if ever.  I finally gave up my stress and just programmed my camera to suit me - what I should have done in the first place.  So do what feels good to you and enjoy.  Please drop in here and ask any questions that you have.

And I SHOULD have started with a) register your camera and b) be sure you visit your camera support page (in the US at https://www.usa.canon.com/support/p/eos-r50)   Firmware updates and the like happen there.

Thanks again for dropping in.  I hope you enjoy your new camera and all that it can do!

[ebiggs1]

Marc,

Oh my goodness, WOW.

[SignifDigits]

Marc's amazing macro photographs demonstrates that the key is the photographer and not the camera.  He also reinforces that spending $$ on lenses is really a higher priority than on a camera.  He sure made great use of that rf 100mm f2.8!  Thanks for sharing Marc - great shots.

(plus Marc's bee pic is making me lust after that lens and it's 1:1 macro capability prior to this next spring :))

[March411]

The RF100 macro is worth the investment SignifDigits, it's a nice piece of glass and a fun lens when you are looking to shoot something different. It got me hooked on macro! I also use it for portraiture with outstanding results. 

You said it today and ebiggs has stated it in the past and I strongly agree, the key is the glass you mount on the body and the knowledge you have to use them effectively. I shoot the R50 in manual and while it may have some compromises it is a cool and functional body that allows me to grab good images. It just looks a little weird when you mount the RF200-800mm on it 😉   

[SignifDigits]

Not weird to me I'll bet!  I'm planning to get an APS-C (hoping for R7 Mark 2 but may setting for R10 Mark 2 if they add IBIS) to put my 200-800 on and shoot pictures of gnats!  (well, at least birds).  But if I get the 100mm I may have to settle for the R5.  Always too many wants, and not enough money

[March411]

---

@SignifDigits wrote:

Always too many wants, and not enough money

---

Agreed

I'm also going to add the R7 MkII to the stable once released but for a light weight carry the R50 will stick with me. When traveling the R50 and RF24-240mm is a nice match.

[SignifDigits]

As I already have the RF24-240 I may have to buy a good used R50 or by my I might buy old RP back from my kids if they aren't using it 🙂  Older tech, but I think I might prefer 24-240 vs 36-360 with the APS-C.  Decisions, decisions.