With the launch of the new Canon EOS R50, Canon now makes three APS-C format RF mount mirrorless cameras. Which is exactly the same as the number of RF-S lenses to go with them. Nikon is in exactly the same position.
These companies both make lower-cost APS-C cameras to complement their full frame camera ranges. They both make a very limited range of lenses to work with these cameras, notably a couple of standard zoom options and a basic telephoto, but no ultra-wide lenses (though Nikon has one on its roadmap), no dedicated macro lenses, no APS-C primes, no constant-aperture pro lenses, or anything like it in the pipeline.
Here’s the current state of play with Nikon and Canon’s APS-C mirrorless cameras and lenses (we’ll leave the EOS M range of this as we assume that to be dead in the water):
Nikon APS-C (DX) format mirrorless cameras and lenses
- Nikon Z30
- Nikon Z50
- Nikon Z fc
- Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR
- Nikkor Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR
- Nikkor Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR
Canon APS-C format mirrorless cameras and lenses
- Canon EOS R50 (new)
- Canon EOS R10
- Canon EOS R7
- Canon RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM
- Canon RF-S 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM
- Canon RF-S 55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM
So that’s it? A compact kit lens, a longer range standard zoom and a telephoto?
Of course, they point out, you can use full frame Nikkor Z and RF lenses respectively on these APS-C models. But these lenses are larger and more expensive and not always suitable thanks to the smaller sensor’s crop factor and the increase in the effective focal length of full frame lenses on these smaller cameras.
With Nikon’s APS-C mirrorless cameras and Canon’s too, if you want a full range of lenses and the full potential offered by an interchangeable lens camera system, you really need to step up to full frame. You don’t have to do it straight away, and no-one is forcing you, but sooner or later you’ll figure out this is the only real way forward. And hey, if you’ve already bought some full frame lenses along the way (because you had to), you’re half way there already, right?
No APS-C lenses? Nikon and Canon have the answer
You can look at these APS-C models as being a well-intentioned lower-cost introduction to these makers’ camera ranges. Or you could see them as a clever strategic play that leads inexorably to a bigger purchase later.
Back in the days of Nikon and Canon DSLRs, both makers had APS-C cameras backed up by extensive ranges of APS-C lenses. You could buy an APS-C DSLR and stick with it for good. That’s not happening with their mirrorless replacements.
Nikon and Canon could be playing a long strategic game where their entry level cameras are simply a ‘first’ sale designed to lead to a much larger commitment later. You might complain about the lack of APS-C lenses, but you’ll end up upgrading to full frame anyway – which might have been the plan all along.