EOS M50 IIvs Z30vs Nikon Z8
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.
Travel & Everyday Video — Z30 (2022): Nikon's lightest Z-mount body — no fuss, excellent subject tracking, and a flip screen for creators.
Sports, Wildlife & Hybrid Professionals — Nikon Z8 (2023): Z9 performance in a compact body — 45MP, 8K/60p RAW, and 20fps burst without the bulk or price of the flagship.
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
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
Nikon Z8 (2023)
- You need Z9-level performance in a more travel-friendly and portable body
- You shoot wildlife, weddings, or sport and need exceptional resolution with speed
- You want the best Nikon mirrorless body available without carrying the full Z9
Quick take: The nikon z8 has the highest resolution at 46mp; the eos m50 ii is the most affordable; only the nikon z8 is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | EOS M50 II (2020) | Z30 (2022) | Nikon Z8 (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £449 | £479 | £3,999 |
| Sensor | 24.1MP APS-C CMOS | 20.9MP APS-C CMOS | 45.7MP full-frame BSI stacked CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.1MP | 20.9MP | 45.7MP |
| Video | 4K/25p (cropped), 1080p/60p | 4K/30p, 4K/60p (with crop), 1080p/120p | 8K/60p RAW, 4K/120p, ProRes RAW |
| Autofocus | Dual Pixel CMOS AF, 143 AF points, eye detection | Phase-detect, 209 points, subject tracking (human/animal/vehicle) | Subject detection AF, 493-point phase-detect |
| Stabilisation | None (no IBIS) | None (no IBIS) | 6-stop IBIS |
| Burst Rate | 10fps | 11fps | 20fps RAW / 120fps JPEG |
| Battery Life | ~305 shots (CIPA) | ~300 shots (CIPA) | 330 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 387g body only | 405g body only | 910g body only |
| Dimensions | 116.3 × 88.1 × 58.7mm | 127.5 × 73.5 × 59.5mm | 144.0 × 118.5 × 83.0mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.39× | None | 0.5" Quad-VGA OLED EVF, 3.69M dots, 120fps |
| Screen | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Canon EF-M mount | Nikon Z-mount | Nikon Z-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Single SD UHS-I slot | Dual CFexpress Type B / XQD |
| Connectivity | USB Micro-B, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, micro HDMI | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic input, micro HDMI | USB-C 3.2, HDMI full-size, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth |
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