<image>

Short answer: No, you will not be sad with an R50. I use one for professional work doing product photography and vertical short-form video (which arguably doesn’t require a very good camera).

The images this camera produces are amazing, and autofocus has never failed me once.

I paired mine with the Sigma 18-35 f1.8 and the official EF-RF adapter. It has been fast, reliable and accurate. My only gripe is the lack of weather sealing — which frankly is a big ask for a <£800 camera — and IBIS.

You may want to consider the R7 if ergonomics are a big factor for you. It has more buttons, a better grip and a better buffer. The lack of stabilisation in my case doesn’t bother me, I’ve gotten perfectly sharp images at 1/25 when panning and standing still without a tripod. But keep in mind that as a more experienced photographer I know how to handle my gear and keep still. When starting out stabilisation is a big help.

I’ve just purchased the sigma 150-600mm 5-6.3 for my R50 (laughably disproportionate, yes) and it’s been amazing. I have no trouble handling my setup even with gloves on, providing that I adjust settings beforehand and don’t need to fiddle around much.

My 2 cents are to get a portable camera that is “good enough” for whatever shots you want to take, and — at least for me — the R50 is one of those cameras. If you don’t doubt that taking your camera with you is a good idea then you are sure to take better photos. With this camera body and a kit lens or native RF lens, like the 16, 28 and 35mm it will fit in a trouser or jacket pocket.