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Canon PowerShot V1: two-minute evaluation
There’s been a buzz surrounding the PowerShot V1, principally as a result of the compact V-series vlogging camera is sort of a larger sibling to the trending (and dated) PowerShot G7X Mark III, with an all-new 1.4-inch sensor and 16-50mm lens.
Put the 2 cameras aspect by aspect and the design / management format similarities are clear (see under) – these are pocketable compact cameras, with the PowerShot V1 being the larger of the 2, and each supply spectacular suites of video options.
The PowerShot V1’s most blatant rival is the Sony ZV1-II, whereas the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is a gimbal-stabilized various, and in lots of regards the well-rounded PowerShot V1 is a transparent winner, even when there is a robust case to be made for DJI‘s tackle the format.
Headline options embody that 22.3MP, 1.4-inch sensor. That is a uncommon sensor measurement – it is basically the identical as Micro 4 Thirds, however in 3:2 facet ratio somewhat than 4:3. It measures 18.4 x 12.3 mm – a lot larger than the 1-inch kind used within the aforementioned rivals, which measures 13.2mm x 8.8mm.
A much bigger sensor measurement basically means higher picture high quality, however there are caveats. The notable PowerShot V1 downside for me is the f/2.8-4.5 most aperture of its 3.1x optical zoom lens. Examine that to the ZV-1 II’s f/1.8-4, and the PowerShot G7X Mark III’s 4.2x zoom with a f/1.8-2.8 most aperture, and the V1 comes up quick for light-gathering capabilities, which in some respects counters the image-quality benefit of its bigger sensor.
Nonetheless, it is the widest lens of the bunch, with a 16-50mm vary that is supreme for vlogging. Even with digital picture stabilization energetic and the resultant image-area crop utilized, the framing is a lot vast sufficient for vlogging with the digicam at arm‘s attain – that additional 2mm on the vast finish goes a great distance.
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The great suite of video options contains cooling vents and limitless 4K 30fps video recording occasions, a built-in ND filter, Canon‘s best-ever autofocus for a PowerShot compact, plus mic and headphone ports.
Photographers are effectively catered for too, with a hotshoe accepting an exterior flash (however not 5-pin ones), and a speedy 15fps burst capturing velocity that is doubled when utilizing the digital shutter, ably supported by that dependable subject-tracking autofocus.
Picture stabilization is unavailable when capturing 4K video at 60fps, plus there is a 1.4x crop utilizing this setting – I am certain I am going to uncover just a few extra drawbacks when I’ve the digicam again in for in-depth testing.
Nevertheless, the PowerShot V1 makes a powerful first impression. As an entire package deal with Sony-beating options and a comparatively first rate worth, it seems to be set to be a vlogging star.
Canon PowerShot V1 specs
|
Kind: |
Comapct digicam |
|
Sensor: |
1.4-inch, 22.3MP |
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Focal size: |
16-50mm |
|
Max aperture: |
f/2.8-4.5 |
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Dimensions: |
118.3 x 68 x 45.2mm |
|
Weight: |
15oz / 426g |
Canon PowerShot V1: Value and availability
- £959.99 (US and Australia pricing TBC)
- Out there from early April, actual date TBC
The Canon PowerShot V1 prices £959.99, with US and Australia pricing to be confirmed, and is because of hit the cabinets in early April, with an actual launch date additionally but to be confirmed by Canon.
That beginning worth is lower than what the older G7X Mark III at present goes for, with scalpers are capitalizing on the smaller mannequin’s recognition. Nevertheless, the Sony ZV-1 II prices round 20% lower than the V1, whereas the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is about half the value.
Canon PowerShot V1: Design
- 16-50mm f/2.8-4.5 lens with customizable ring and 5EV optical stabilization
- Comparable design and management format to the PowerShot G7X Mark III
- Consists of hotshoe, tally lamp, headphone and mic ports
Canon has created a well-rounded and stable compact digicam with a concentrate on video, however which additionally packs a stable suite of images options.
Its design and management format are strikingly just like the PowerShot G7X Mark III’s (see under), however on a bigger scale that has enabled additional options reminiscent of a hotshoe, vari-angle display, plus after all that bigger sensor.
The digicam sits properly within the hand due to a beneficiant handgrip, and is adorned with various customizable buttons and controls, with particular point out going to the lens ring, which is good for making fast modifications to aperture or your required setting.
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With the digicam off and the lens retracted, I would name the PowerShot V1 pocketable, which is spectacular given the decent-size 1.4-inch sensor inside.
A vari-angle touchscreen is just about the norm in 2025 for video-focused cameras – it may be flipped out and tilted upwards for straightforward viewing from awkward angles when capturing horizontally, and flipped round for vlogging.
One other useful function for vlogging is a tally lamp, which lights up crimson to verify while you’re recording. You may as well go for guide focus peaking and zebra show, plus timecode – once more, all useful video options.
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Cooling vents are discovered on the highest and left-hand aspect of the digicam, and these successfully allow limitless 4K video report occasions. This is not the kind of function I would anticipate in a digicam at this stage and worth level, so kudos to Canon for that.
There is a first rate inside mic, and Canon supplies a wind muff with the digicam that slots into the hotshoe to be positioned over the mic for clearer audio on breezy days.
When utilizing the interior mic, the wind muff appears like a should, even when it considerably obstructs a few of the digicam controls, such because the on/ off swap.
Nonetheless, if you happen to’re a critical creator you may be utilizing an exterior mic as an alternative, and these could be related utilizing the three.5mm mic enter, with sound monitoring doable by way of headphones and on-screen.
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The lens is provided with optical picture stabilization (OIS) that is rated as much as 5EV. That is an honest efficiency for images, although it is of little use for video. For that, there’s digital (or digital) picture stabilization (DIS). There is a small crop of the picture space with DIS energetic, and much more with the improved DIS possibility, and that is the place the V1’s wider-than-most 16mm vast focal size is especially useful – you may nonetheless have the ability to body your self properly within the shot with stabilization energetic.
Canon PowerShot V1: Efficiency
- Canon’s best-ever autofocus for a PowerShot
- Digital picture stabilzation just for video
- 4K video 30fps, 4K 60fps with a 1.4x crop, Full HD 120fps
I have never had sufficient time with the PowerShot V1 to run full exams, however throughout my two-day hands-on time I’ve been ready to make use of the varied video report modes, snap just a few photographs, test picture stabilization efficiency and shoot just a few quick vlogs utilizing the interior mic.
Within the pattern footage under, I cowl 4K 30fps, 4K 60fps, picture stabilization, and the three.1x optical zoom amongst different issues.
General, 4K video footage is crisp, and subject-tracking autofocus is dependable – and that is one thing that is to not be taken without any consideration. Canon says it has put its best-ever autofocus for a PowerShot compact within the V1, and it actually does carry out effectively.
Often, the digicam’s publicity metering and colour are linked to the main focus space. When focus was locked onto me, publicity regarded advantageous with the assistance of an auto ND filter, though I’ve seen shifts within the colour of my pores and skin in vlogs – some look spot on, others a bit inexperienced, others too magenta. It is a good observe to set white steadiness manually, somewhat than depend on auto white steadiness.
4K 60fps video seems to be nice too, though you may lose out on the choice for Digital Picture Stabilization at this setting, whereas there’s additionally a 1.4x crop of the picture space.
I do not thoughts the crop a lot, because it successfully extends the lens for close-up B-roll. There’s additionally a crop while you make use of enhanced DIS (not accessible with 4K 60fps), however the V1’s widest 16mm focal size offers quite a lot of scope for cropping into the picture space for vlogging. Lens focal size may sound like a small factor, however Canon has been good with its alternative of 16mm focal size for the vast setting.
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Canon’s 22.3MP 1.4-inch sensor is new, however we get Canon’s acquainted colour science, and that is a superb factor. Full-size photographs look pure and are full of element – my pores and skin and facial hair are super-crisp within the selfie above.
The PowerShot V1 additionally has first rate close-focusing abilities, so you’ll be able to create photographs and dynamic video cutaways for vlog footage – take a look at the flower closeups, once more within the pattern gallery above.
Would I’ve most popular a quicker most aperture, say f/1.8-2.8? Sure, however that would not be doable throughout the identical compact lens dimensions. In any case, with the lens set to its most aperture (f/2.8-4.5) and when the main focus distance is shut, it is doable to get a beautiful shallow depth of subject.
I am going to share extra findings in my upcoming in-depth evaluation.
How I examined the Canon PowerShot V1
- Examined for 2 days, full manufacturing mannequin
- I shot varied handheld video clips utilizing a variety of resolutions and body charges, and with stabilization energetic and off.
- I recorded vlogs utilizing the in-camera mics solely
I’ve not had lengthy sufficient with the PowerShot V1 to offer a definitive verdict. Nevertheless, the 2 days over which I examined the compact vlogging digicam gave me sufficient time to have a play with the varied video modes on supply, together with 4K and Full HD movies, and 60fps and 30fps body charges, make quick vlogs utilizing the in-camera microphone, and shoot comparability movies with the stabilization energetic and turned off, to see how efficient digital stabilization is for video. I’ve additionally made a number of photographs in full high quality.
- First reviewed March 2025