The Canon EOS 50 is a single lens reflex camera. The 35mm camera was introduced by Canon in the mid 90s. It is the predecessor of the Canon EOS 30 and was also sold under the name “Canon EOS Elan II“. In comparison to the EOS 50E the eye-controlled autofocus is missing.
The lenses of the Canon EOS 50 can be changed. Therefore an EF bayonet was built into the camera. The 35mm camera is equipped with an autofocus.
The Canon EOS 50 is equipped with a built-in light meter. The exposure meter is designed for 35 mm films from ISO 6 to ISO 6400. The film speed is read out via the DX code on the film cartridge.
The exposure meter is designed to measure the exposure through the camera lens. The Canon EOS 50 has several exposure modes. The aperture and shutter speed can be freely selected.
If you want to take long time pictures, there is the bulb setting. In this mode, the shutter is released as long as the shutter release button is pressed. In low light, the built-in flash can be used. An external flash can be connected to the hot shoe. The camera has a thread for a tripod on the bottom and a self-timer.
Power is supplied by a 6V 2CR5 battery (eBay / Amazon*).
Films for the Canon EOS 50
The Canon EOS 50 exposes 35mm films according to the manual. 35mm films are still offered by various manufacturers. Possible films for the Canon EOS 50 are the Kodak Gold 200* for color pictures and the Kodak T-Max 100* for black and white pictures.
The color film is processed in the C-41 process. The C-41 process is standardized and is offered by most development laboratories. A development of a 35mm color film is for example possible at most drugstore chains in Germany.
Technical datasheet
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type of Camera | Single lens reflex camera |
| Film format | 35mm |
| Film transport | Automatic |
| Film transport mechanism | Motor |
| Picture format | 24 mm x 36 mm |
| Lens mount | Canon EF mount |
| Focus | Autofocus |
| Viewfinder | Pentaprism finder |
| Exposure times | 1/4000 second to 30 seconds, Bulb |
| Bulb mode | Yes |
| Light meter | Yes |
| Supported film speeds | ISO 6 to 6400 |
| Auto DX (Film sensitivity) | Yes |
| Exposure modes | Program automatic, Aperture priority, Shutter priority, Manual mode |
| Exposure compensation | ± 2EV (0,5EV to) |
| Double and/or multiple exposure function | Yes |
| Flash | Integrated flash |
| Flash Connection | Hot Shoe |
| Flash sync speed | 1/125 s |
| Tripod mount | Yes |
| Cable release thread | No |
| Self-timer | Yes |
| Power supply | 1x 2CR5 battery |
| Estimated value / Used price | 137,25 Euro Estimate based on used prices of 100 offers (possibly with different scope of delivery and/or condition). As of June 15, 2026 |
| Average used price in the year 2023 | 129,72 Euro (139.63 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2024 | 119,42 Euro (128.81 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2025 | 152,10 Euro (164.52 US-Dollar) |
FAQ about the Canon EOS 50
Is the Canon EOS 50 a digital camera or does it use film?
The Canon EOS 50 is a film camera. It uses 35mm film, requiring you to load film canisters and then get them developed later. It's not a digital camera that stores images on a memory card.
What kind of lenses can I use with this camera?
The EOS 50 uses EF-mount lenses. This means you can use a wide variety of Canon lenses designed for this mount. You can swap lenses to adapt to different photography needs.
How does the camera measure light for the photos?
It has a built-in light meter that measures light through the lens. This helps determine the correct exposure settings for your photos and it works with ISO 6 to ISO 6400 film.
Can I take long exposure shots with this camera?
Yes, the EOS 50 offers a bulb mode. In this mode, the shutter stays open as long as you hold down the shutter button, allowing for long exposures. This is useful for capturing light trails or night scenes.
Does the SLR have a flash?
It has a built-in flash for low-light conditions and also a hot shoe to add an external flash for more power or specialized effects. This allows flexibility with lighting.