Should I buy a used Canon M50 or a new Sony ZV-1F?

The better buy depends on what you want to do most:

Buy the used Canon M50 if you want a more flexible camera

• Better if you want to shoot photos and video.
• The larger APS-C sensor should give you more room for background blur and better low-light potential than a small fixed-lens vlogging camera.
• It has an electronic viewfinder, which is useful in bright outdoor light.
• You can swap lenses, which is a big advantage if you want wider shots, portraits, or zoom.

Main downside: Canon has moved on from the EF-M system, so you’re buying into a discontinued lens mount and a used camera with no manufacturer warranty. Also, its 4K video mode is generally considered less attractive than its 1080p mode because of the heavier crop and reduced autofocus performance in 4K.

Buy the new Sony ZV-1F if you want the simplest vlogging setup

• Better if you mainly make self-facing videos, social clips, or casual content.
• It’s a fixed-lens, ready-to-go camera, so you don’t need to think about lenses.
• New units give you the comfort of a fresh warranty.
• Its wide lens is handy for arm’s-length vlogging.

Main downside: You can’t change lenses, so it’s less versatile for photography or creative focal lengths.

My short take

• Pick the Canon M50 if you care about versatility, still photos, and lens options.
• Pick the Sony ZV-1F if you want the easiest, most compact vlogging camera and don’t want to deal with lenses.

If both are similarly priced, I’d usually lean Canon M50 for overall value and flexibility. If you want the simplest possible new camera for talking-head video, go ZV-1F.