EOS M50 IIvs X-E4vs Z30
Which should you buy?
Beginners & Vlogging — EOS M50 II (2020): Canon's most approachable mirrorless — Dual Pixel AF and beautiful colour science in a beginner-friendly body.
Compact Street & Travel Photography — X-E4 (2021): The X-E4 is for photographers who want the minimum camera that still delivers maximum image quality. If you love shooting from the rear screen and want the smallest possible X-mount body, this is your camera. If you need a viewfinder or IBIS, look at the X-S20 or X-T30 II.
Travel & Everyday Video — Z30 (2022): Nikon's lightest Z-mount body — no fuss, excellent subject tracking, and a flip screen for creators.
Who should buy what
EOS M50 II (2020)
- You want your first mirrorless camera at the lowest possible price
- You're a vlogger or content creator just starting out
- Note: EF-M mount is discontinued — consider the EOS R50 for a future-proof system
X-E4 (2021)
- Street photographers who prioritise portability and discretion
- Travel photographers packing minimally
- Fujifilm fans who shoot primarily from the rear screen
- Anyone who wants the X-Trans sensor in the smallest possible body
Z30 (2022)
- You create video content and want reliable Nikon colour science in a compact body
- You don't need a viewfinder and prioritise the vari-angle flip screen
- You're starting out with interchangeable lenses for content creation on a budget
Quick take: The x-e4 has the highest resolution at 26mp; the eos m50 ii is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | EOS M50 II (2020) | X-E4 (2021) | Z30 (2022) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £449 | £699 | £479 |
| Sensor | 24.1MP APS-C CMOS | 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS IV | 20.9MP APS-C CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.1MP | 26.1MP | 20.9MP |
| Video | 4K/25p (cropped), 1080p/60p | 4K/30p, 1080p/240p slow-motion, F-Log | 4K/30p, 4K/60p (with crop), 1080p/120p |
| Autofocus | Dual Pixel CMOS AF, 143 AF points, eye detection | Phase-detect, 425 points, face/Eye detection | Phase-detect, 209 points, subject tracking (human/animal/vehicle) |
| Stabilisation | None (no IBIS) | None (no IBIS) | None (no IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | 10fps | 8fps mechanical, 20fps electronic | 11fps |
| Battery Life | ~305 shots (CIPA) | ~460 shots (CIPA) | ~300 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 387g body only | 364g (body only) | 405g body only |
| Dimensions | 116.3 × 88.1 × 58.7mm | 121.3 × 72.9 × 32.7mm | 127.5 × 73.5 × 59.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.39× | None — rear screen only (EVF accessory available) | None |
| Screen | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen | 3.0" fixed touchscreen, 1.62M dots | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | Canon EF-M mount | Fujifilm X-mount | Nikon Z-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Single SD UHS-I | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB Micro-B, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, micro HDMI | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic input, micro HDMI |
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