Canon M Series Discontinued: Navigating the Shift for YouTube Content Creators

If you’re a YouTube video creator or an online business owner, you’re likely familiar with Canon’s M series cameras, including my favorite, the Canon M50 Mark II. But here’s the news – Canon has discontinued the M series, leaving many of us wondering about the best alternatives for our video production needs. In this article, we’ll delve into the implications of Canon’s decision, explore the alternatives, and discuss how you can adapt to this change.

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Canon Discontinues the M Series

Canon’s decision to discontinue the M series cameras, including the M50 Mark II, comes as a shock to many content creators. These cameras have been favorites for their balance of affordability and quality, especially when paired with Sigma’s 16mm lens. This combination, what I like to call the “sweet 16,” has been my go-to setup for creating crisp, clear, and visually appealing videos. With Canon pulling the plug on the M series, creators are left in search of a new solution.

The Role of Sigma’s Lens

While the M50 Mark II itself was a reliable choice, it’s essential to note that it’s not just the camera that made this setup special; it was Sigma’s 16mm lens that truly transformed the quality of content. The Sigma lens provided an affordable way to achieve a shallow depth of field, sharp image, and beautiful background blur. The big question now is whether Sigma or other brands will create RF-style lenses compatible with Canon’s new mirrorless cameras.

Exploring Alternatives: Canon R Series

Now, let’s explore some alternatives for the M series. The Canon R series, including the R10, R50, and R7, offers promising options. The R10, with its compact size and crop sensor, closely resembles the M50 Mark 2. However, it’s important to note that these alternatives may not provide the exact results as the M50 Mark 2 with Sigma’s 16mm lens. The Canon R10 stands out as a suitable alternative to the M50 Mark II. It falls right in between the other R series models and offers a compact yet feature-rich option. If you’re considering this camera, you’ll find that it provides a great balance between size, features, and cost.

Challenges with the R50

While the Canon R50 might be appealing for some, it poses an issue for those who love a “set it and forget it” YouTube setup. The R50’s compact body makes it challenging to access the battery door when mounted on a tripod, which can be a hassle for creators who require seamless battery and memory card changes during recording.

The Advantages of the R7

The Canon R7 is the most advanced of the R series. It features two memory card slots and weather-sealing, making it a great choice for more rugged shooting environments. However, at a price point around $1,300-1500, you might as well get a full frame mirrorless camera.

Using Your Real Camera for Quality Videos

One of the key advantages of using a real camera for your YouTube videos is the ability to achieve a beautiful blurry background that sets your content apart from smartphone or webcam recordings. Additionally, you can take control of your camera settings in manual mode, allowing for creative customization of your videos.

Conclusion: Embracing the Future

While the discontinuation of the Canon M series may come as a surprise, it doesn’t change the fact that these cameras still serve their purpose effectively. If you already own an M50 Mark II, consider yourself lucky and continue using it. If you’re in the market for a new camera, the Canon R10 is a solid choice, but be aware of its limitations.

The key to adapting to this change is embracing the alternatives while keeping an eye on the evolving camera market. Canon’s decision may pave the way for new, more affordable Sigma lenses compatible with the RF mounts, ensuring that my “sweet 16” type of setup remains accessible. Change can be challenging, but with the right equipment and knowledge, your video production can continue to thrive.

In the end, it’s not just about the camera; it’s about your content and how you present it. And all of this happened in very interesting timing because I just finished my “Crush it on Camera” guide, which is a downloadable PDF. It’s going along with a whole series I’m doing on my YouTube channel about all the gear and setup you need to create professional looking talking head videos and video podcasts that grow your audience with ease. So be sure to check out the Crush it on Camera guide, and keep creating, keep evolving, and most importantly, keep looking good, sounding good, and feeling good on camera to build your thriving online business with YouTube.