Canon Japan has announced its new PowerShot V1, a compact, lightweight, fixed-lens video-centric camera aimed at content creators and influencers. This camera won’t be announced outside of Asia till a later date.
The PowerShot V1 joins the existing PowerShot V10 in what Canon is calling its new Video-Focused Lineup.
Some of the key features of the PowerShot V1 include:
- 1.4″ CMOS sensor
- Ultra-wide angle 16-50mm zoom lens
- 4K 60P recording
- Canon Log 3
- Built-In Cooling Fan
- Built-in ND Filter (3-stops)
- 30fps stills performance (electronic shutter)
The PowerShot V1 looks to be in competition with cameras such as the Sony ZV-1.
The content creator influencer boom
The compact camera market has seen a big resurgence recently, despite the fears that it would become a dwindling market with the advances in smartphone technology.
With this booming market, Canon (like everyone else) wants a slice of that pie. With content creators and influencers looking for a lightweight, video-centric camera at an affordable price, Canon needed to look into this market and come up with more solutions.
Sensor
The Canon PowerShot V1 utilizes a new 1.4″ CMOS sensor and a Digic X processor. Canon claims this combination provides good low-light performance and increased image quality over previous PowerShot cameras.
The camera utilizes 18.7 megapixels during movie recording, and approx. 22.3 megapixels during still image recording.
As a comparison, the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III features a 20.2MP 1″ Stacked CMOS Sensor and a DIGIC 8 Image Processor.
Size & weight
The Canon PowerShot V1 weighs approx. Approx. 379g / 13.36 oz.
As a comparison, the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III weighs 304g / 10.72 oz (With Battery, Recording Media).
The competing Sony ZV-1 weighs 294g / 10.37 oz (With Battery, Recording Media).
Design
The Canon PowerShot V1 looks reasonably similar to previous Canon offerings, such as the PowerShot G7 X Mark III, and similar to the competing Sony ZV-1.
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III 
Sony ZV-1
The PowerShot V1 does have a much better grip for holding the camera than previous PowerShot cameras. It also has a tally light which is handy so you know when it is recording.
The button and dial layout is fairly simplistic to keep things easy for entry-level users.
The camera also features Canon’s multi-functional hot shoe for attaching accessories. It supports strobe control, digital audio input, high-speed data communication, and power supply.
The AD-E1 Multi-Accessory Shoe Adapter is required to use conventional accessories.
16-50mm F2.8-F4.5 Lens
The in-built 8.2-25.6mm (16-50mm 35mm equivalent) F2.8-F4.5 lens can used with the cameras Movie Digital IS.
The actual focal length is 17-52mm when shooting video and 16-50mm when shooting photos.
When shooting photos, the lens can be set to a 1.4x (crop). When the 1.4x crop is used, the lens can also switch to a standard zoom equivalent to a focal length of approximately 23-71mm using an area equivalent to a 1.0-inch sensor.
As a comparison, the PowerShot G7 X Mark III has an 8.8-36.8mm (24-100mm 35mm equivalent) F1.8-F2.8 lens.
The PowerShot V1 has a lot wider lens (albeit slower and with not nearly as long of a focal reach) than the PowerShot G7 X Mark III. This reflects exactly who Canon is aiming the camera at as Content Creators and influencers often want to do Vlogging or shoot items at a close distance.
Built-In ND Filter
The PowerShot V1 features an in-built ND filter that allows you to add up to 3 stops (0.8 ND). This is good to see, but 3 stops isn’t a lot and it won’t be enough if you are shooting outdoors on a sunny day and want to adhere to the 180-degree shutter rule.
What can it record?
The PowerShot V1 supports 4K60P (crop) recording. It can shoot 4K at up to 30p in 4:2:2 10-bit without a crop from an oversampled 5.7K image.
In addition, when shooting 4K video, the maximum ISO sensitivity is two steps higher than that of the PowerShot G7 X Mark III. The max. ISO is 12800 (extended ISO 25600) for video recording and ISO 32000 (extended ISO 51200) for still image recording.
Electronic IS, Subject Tracking IS, and Auto Horizontal Compensation are not available when using the 4K60P (crop) mode.
The camera can record in the following codecs:
Canon Log: OFF / HDR PQ: OFF]
4K Crop: 3840 x 2160 (59.94/50.00fps) / IPB (Standard): approx. 230Mbps
4K Crop: 3840 x 2160 (59.94/50.00fps) / IPB (lightweight): 120Mbps
4K: 3840 x 2160 (29.97/25.00/23.98 fps) / IPB (standard): approx. 120 Mbps
4K: 3840 x 2160 (29.97/25.00/23.98 fps) / IPB (lightweight): approx. 60 Mbps
4K time-lapse video: 3840 x 2160 (29.97/25.00 fps) / ALL-I: approx. 470 Mbps
Full HD high frame rate video: 1920 x 1080 (119.88/100.00 fps) / IPB (standard): approx. 120 Mbps
Full HD High Frame Rate Video: 1920 x 1080 (119.88/100.00fps) / IPB (lightweight): approx. 70Mbps
Full HD: 1920 x 1080 (59.94/50.00fps) / IPB (standard): approx. 60Mbps
Full HD: 1920 x 1080 (59.94/50.00fps) / IPB (lightweight): approx. 35Mbps
Full HD: 1920 x 1080 (29.97/25.00/23.98fps) / IPB (standard): approx. 30Mbps
Full HD: 1920 x 1080 (29.97/25.00/23.98 fps) / IPB (lightweight): approx. 12 Mbps
Full HD time-lapse video: 1920 x 1080 (29.97/25.00 fps) / ALL-I: approx. 90 Mbps
Canon Log: ON or HDR PQ: ON
4K Crop: 3840 x 2160 (59.94/50.00fps) / IPB (Standard): approx. 340Mbps
4K Crop: 3840 x 2160 (59.94/50.00fps) / IPB (lightweight): 170Mbps
4K: 3840 x 2160 (29.97/25.00/23.98 fps) / IPB (standard): 170 Mbps approx.
4K: 3840 x 2160 (29.97/25.00/23.98 fps) / IPB (lightweight): approx. 85 Mbps
4K time-lapse video: 3840 x 2160 (29.97/25.00 fps) / ALL-I: approx. 470 Mbps
Full HD High frame rate video: 1920 x 1080 (119.88/100.00 fps) / IPB (standard): approx. 180 Mbps
Full HD High Frame Rate Video: 1920 x 1080 (119.88/100.00fps) / IPB (Lightweight): approx. 100Mbps
Full HD: 1920 x 1080 (59.94/50.00 fps) / IPB (standard): approx. 90 Mbps
Full HD: 1920 x 1080 (59.94/50.00fps) / IPB (lightweight): approx. 50Mbps
Full HD: 1920 x 1080 (29.97/25.00/23.98fps) / IPB (standard): approx. 45Mbps
Full HD: 1920 x 1080 (29.97/25.00/23.98 fps) / IPB (lightweight): approx. 28 Mbps
Full HD time-lapse video: 1920 x 1080 (29.97/25.00 fps) / ALL-I: approx. 135 Mbps
The camera records to a single SD card slot. It has an HDMI (Type D) output, a headphone jack, and a 3.5mm audio input.
What about the heat?
The Canon PowerShot V1 features an in-built fan. The heat generated inside the camera, including the processing engine and sensor, is dissipated using the fan, this enables shooting for more than 2 hours even when recording 4K30P.
Auto power-off temperature: When the fan is set to High, the camera body becomes hot, so it is recommended that you use a tripod or similar device. Also, be careful when removing the card as it may become hot.
The recording times depend on the frame rate and fan settings. Below are claimed running times for when the camera is used at room temperature (+23°C), which is the same temperature as the environment (ambient temperature) in which the camera is placed, and the camera is started up from that condition (with the power turned on).
Continuous shooting times:
4K60P (crop) Video recording quality (standard)
- 25 minutes (fan speed: Off)
- 35 minutes (fan speed: auto), 45 minutes (fan speed: high)
- 45 minutes (fan speed: high speed)
Video recording quality (High)
- 40 minutes (fan speed: off), – 40 minutes (fan speed: on)
- No thermal limitation (fan speed: Auto)
- No thermal limitation (Fan speed: High)
4K30p Video recording quality (standard)
- No thermal limitation (fan speed: Auto)
- No thermal limitation (fan speed: High)
4K30p Video recording quality (standard)
- 55 minutes (fan speed: Auto)
- No limitation due to heat (Fan speed: High)
4K30p Video recording quality Movie recording quality (High)
- 55 minutes (fan speed: off)
- 55 minutes (fan speed: auto)
- No thermal limitation (fan speed: high)
- No thermal limitation (fan speed: Auto)
- No thermal limitation (Fan speed: High)
4K30p (Beautiful Skin Video) Video recording quality (standard)
- No limitation due to heat (Fan speed: Off)
- 50 minutes (fan speed: Auto)
- 55 minutes (Fan speed: High)
4K30p (Beautiful Skin Video) Video recording quality (high)
- High (fan speed: off), – 50 min (fan speed: auto), – 55 min (fan speed: high)
- No thermal limitation (fan speed: Auto)
- No thermal limitation (Fan speed: High)
Full HD 60p Video recording quality (standard)
- No limitation due to heat (fan speed: Off)
- No thermal limitation (fan speed: Auto)
- No thermal limitation (Fan speed: High)
Full HD 60p Video recording quality (high)
- No thermal limitation (fan speed: Off)
- No thermal limitation (fan speed: Auto),
- No thermal limitation (fan speed: High)
- No thermal limitation (fan speed: Auto)
- No limitation due to heat (Fan speed: High)
So how do the recording capabilities of the PowerShot V1 compare to the PowerShot G7 X Mark III & Sony ZV-1?
PowerShot G7 X Mark III
The PowerShot G7 X Mark III is limited to 4K up to 29.97p and it has very restrictive recording time limitations.
Sony ZV-1
The Sony ZV-1 is limited to HD recording.
Canon Log 3 / Cinema Gamut
To create some type of consistency with the Cinema EOS cameras, Canon has tried to standardize the GAMMA/COLOR SPACE settings.
The PowerShot V1 has the ability to record in Canon Log 3 / Cinema Gamut so it is easier to match and use alongside Cinema EOS cameras and the EOS R series.
When Canon Log 3 is being used, ND AUTO is not available.
Color Modes
The camera is equipped with 14 types of color filters. Users can select from a wide range of preset color settings in both still and movie modes.
There are 14 you can choose from:
- Story Teal & Orange
- Story Magenta
- Story Blue
- Pale Teal & Orange
- Retro Green
- Sepia Tone
- Accent Red
- Tasty Warm
- Tasty Coll
- Bright Amber
- Bright White
- Clear Light Blue
- ClearPurple
- Clear Amber
Dual Pixel CMOS AF II
The PowerShot V1 utilizes the same Dual Pixel CMOS AF II (DAF) Technology that is found in cameras like the C80, R3 and C400.
How does DPAF work? Two independent image signals can then be detected at each photosite. By implementing phase-difference AF, smooth focusing is accomplished with much higher speed and accuracy than was possible with previous technologies.
An improved Dual Pixel CMOS AF II system covers the entire sensor area, for faster, more responsive, and more precise focusing performance. This upgraded phase-detection focusing system also has enhanced subject detection and tracking, with the ability to intelligently recognize eyes, faces, heads (including helmets), and animals, and tracking will automatically lock onto these subjects and maintain sharp focus.
To further fine-tune AF performance, the camera has the ability to set the AF tracking speed and response.
Optical & Electronic Image Stabilization
The optical IS lens and electronic image stabilization work together.
Automatic Horizontal Compensation: On
When the Auto Horizontal Compensation is set to On, the Image Stabilization (IS function) setting is not available (cannot be set at the same time).
Close-Up Demo Movie Recording
Subjects near the camera can be given priority for focusing. This is useful for demonstrations, product reviews, or similar situations. This is the same feature that is available in the EOS R50.
Flip Out LCD Screen
The PowerShot V1 doesn’t feature an EVF so you will need to rely on the flip-out and fully rotatable LCD screen.
Connectivity
With a single USB cable, you can do high-quality video calls/live streaming on your PC.
Wireless connection [Wi-Fi/Bluetooth] is also supported by downloading the “Canon Camera Connect” app. Both wired and wireless connections to smartphones are possible.
The Canon Cloud Service “image.canon” automatically transfers shooting data to various applications on smartphones and PCs.
Price & Availability
The Canon PowerShot V1 will be available in late April for ¥148,500 (around $990 USD).
So how does this price compare to the competition?
| PRICE | |
| Canon PowerShot V1 | ¥148,500 (around $990 USD) |
| Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III | $799.99 USD |
| Sony ZV-1 | $748 USD |
| Ricoh GR III HDF | $1,066.95 USD |
| Ricoh GR III | $966.95 USD |
| Leica D-Lux 8 | $1,595 USD |
| Panasonic Lumix FZ80D | $397.99 USD |
| Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII | $1,298 USD |
| Sony FX30 | $1,598 USD |
| Panasonic Lumix S9 | $1,397.99 USD |
| Panasonic Lumix S5 II | $1,597.99 USD |
| Panasonic Lumix S5 IIX | $1,897.99 USD |
| Panasonic Lumix GH7 | $1,997.99 USD |
| FUJIFILM X-M5 | $799 USD |
| FUJIFILM X-T5 | $1,699 USD |
| FUJIFILM X-T50 | $1,399 USD |
| FUJIFILM X-H2 | $1,999 USD |
| Nikon Z50 II | $996.95 USD |
| Nikon Zfc | $856.95 USD |
| Nikon Z30 | $606.95 USD |
The Canon PowerShot V1 looks like a decent offering given its target audience. It offers some good features and functionality, but it will face stiff competition from other cameras on the market.
I think the small size and low weight of the CanonPowerShot V1 will certainly help with trying to lure new users to the Canon platform, especially those looking to step up from using smartphones.
I think when accessing any camera you need to look at who it is being targeted at and does it offer the features and functionality that user group will be interested in. Not every camera is for everyone and the Canon PowerShot V1 is being targeted at a specific part of the market.
