The short version
- Mode dial (top) to M for full manual control.
- Main dial (top, by the shutter button) sets shutter speed in M.
- Hold the Av button on the top plate and turn the main dial to set aperture.
- Press Q on the back, pick the ISO box, turn the main dial to set ISO.
- The R50 has no Auto ISO minimum shutter speed setting. Use Tv mode with Auto ISO as the workaround.
- Kit lens is the RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM, so the widest aperture at 45mm is f/6.3.
Last updated · Exposure Triangle Simulator editorial team
Where everything lives on the R50
The R50 keeps it simple: one main dial, one mode dial, and a Q button that opens everything else. Learn these five and you can shoot the whole camera.
| Control | Where | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Mode dial | Top left | Picks the shooting mode: M, Av, Tv, P, Auto and the scene modes. |
| Main dial | Top, by the shutter button | Shutter speed in M and Tv; aperture in Av; the main adjustment dial everywhere else. |
| Av button | Top plate | Hold it and turn the main dial to change aperture in M. In P, Tv and Av it doubles as exposure compensation. |
| Q button | Back, right side | Opens the Quick Control screen: ISO, white balance, drive mode, metering and more. |
| Multi-controller | Back, the small joystick pad | Moves the focus point and navigates the Q screen. |
Manual mode on the R50
- Turn the mode dial to M. The screen now shows shutter speed, aperture and ISO, plus the exposure meter at the bottom.
- Set shutter speed: turn the main dial. Watch the meter: the marker should sit near the middle for a correct exposure. Learn what each speed does on the shutter speed guide.
- Set aperture: hold the Av button on the top plate and turn the main dial. The f-number changes while the shutter speed stays put. See what aperture does if the tradeoffs are new.
- Set ISO: press Q, move the highlight to the ISO box with the multi-controller, turn the main dial to pick a value. Start at ISO 100 outdoors. The ISO guide explains when to raise it.
- Check the meter and shoot. If the marker sits left of center the shot will be dark; right of center, bright. Half-press to focus, full press to shoot.
Tip: the R50 has no rear control dial, so aperture always needs that Av button hold. After a day of shooting it becomes muscle memory.
Auto ISO on the R50, honestly explained
Press Q, open the ISO box and turn the dial past 32000 until it reads AUTO. Now the camera picks the ISO for you while you control aperture and shutter speed. To cap how high it may go, open the red Shoot menu, choose ISO speed settings, then Auto range, and set your minimum and maximum.
One honest limitation: the R50 has no minimum shutter speed setting for Auto ISO, unlike Canon's pricier bodies. In Av mode with Auto ISO, the camera can drift to a slow shutter speed and blur your shot. The workaround is Tv mode with Auto ISO: you lock the shutter speed (say 1/500 for sports), the camera picks aperture and ISO around it. That gives you the safety net the missing setting would have provided.
Three setups that just work
Dial these in on the R50 with the 18-45mm kit lens. Each one teaches a concept from the exposure triangle.
| Setup | Mode and settings | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait, blurry background | Av · 45mm · f/6.3 · ISO 100 | Zoom all the way in and open the aperture as wide as the kit lens goes. Focus on the eyes. Blur will be modest at f/6.3; the classic upgrade is the RF 50mm f/1.8. |
| Landscape, sharp throughout | Av · 18mm · f/8 · ISO 100 | f/8 on this sensor keeps the foreground and the horizon sharp. Focus about a third of the way into the scene. |
| Action, freeze motion | Tv · 1/1000 · Auto ISO | You lock 1/1000 with the main dial, the camera handles the rest. Turn on Servo AF and continuous shooting (drive mode in the Q menu) for bursts. |
R50 button combos, one box
| Want to change | Do this |
|---|---|
| Shooting mode | Mode dial → M, Av, Tv or P |
| Shutter speed (M) | Turn the main dial |
| Aperture (M) | Hold Av + turn the main dial |
| ISO | Q → ISO box → main dial |
| Auto ISO | Q → ISO box → turn dial to AUTO |
| Auto ISO range cap | Shoot menu → ISO speed settings → Auto range |
| Exposure compensation | ± (Av) button + main dial in P, Tv, Av |
Want these as a printable card? Grab the free camera settings cheat sheet and practice the moves on the simulator first.
Frequently asked questions
How do I change the aperture on the Canon EOS R50 in manual mode?
Set the mode dial to M, hold the Av button on the top plate, and turn the main dial. The shutter speed stays on the main dial by itself.
Does the Canon EOS R50 have Auto ISO minimum shutter speed?
No. The R50 lets you cap the Auto ISO range but offers no minimum shutter speed setting. Use Tv mode with Auto ISO to hold a shutter speed instead.
What is a good portrait setting on the Canon EOS R50?
Av mode, zoom the 18-45mm kit lens to 45mm, aperture f/6.3 (its widest there), ISO 100, focus on the eyes.
How do I change ISO on the Canon EOS R50?
Press the Q button on the back, move to the ISO box with the multi-controller, and turn the main dial.
Why are my R50 photos blurry in Av mode with Auto ISO?
With no minimum shutter speed setting, Auto ISO can let the shutter drift too slow. Switch to Tv mode, set 1/250 or faster, and keep Auto ISO on.