Canon Japan has announced a new compact camera aimed at vloggers and content creators. The Canon PowerShot V1 has a larger sensor than most compact cameras for better image quality and light sensitivity. It’s also the second camera in Canon’s PowerShot V series, following the PowerShot V10 which was released in June 2023.
1.4-inch sensor
The Canon PowerShot V1 has a 1.4-inch 22 MP Type 1.4 Dual Pixel AF CMOS sensor. At 18.4 mm by 12.3 mm, the sensor is about twice the area of the 1.0-type sensor found in most compact cameras.
The PowerShot V1 is also the first Canon compact digital camera to feature the DIGIC X image processing engine. This delivers a maximum standard ISO sensitivity of 32,000 when shooting still images.
Fixed lens
As a compact camera, the Canon PowerShot V1 has a fixed lens so you can’t swap it out for a different focal length. The lens offers a field of view equivalent to 16 to 50 mm on a full frame camera for stills and 17 to 52 mm when you shoot video.
In addition, the maximum aperture ranges from f/2.8 at the widest angle to f/4.5 at the telephoto end of the zoom range. The PowerShot V1 also has optical image stabilization which offers up to 5 stops of stabilization.
Dual Pixel autofocus
The Canon PowerShot V1 uses Canon’s proprietary Dual Pixel CMOS AF II for PowerShot autofocus system. This delivers high-speed and high-precision focusing. Also, the camera offers Eye Detection for even higher focusing accuracy. Usefully, the PowerShot V1 supports animal eye detection as well as human eye detection.
Video recording
The Canon PowerShot V1 can record video up to 4K at 30 frames per second (fps) using the full width of the sensor from a 5.7K capture. You can also record up to 60 fps in 4K with a 1.4 time crop of the sensor. This delivers a 1:1 pixel capture.
Additionally, the PowerShot V1 supports 10-bit recording in Canon Log 3. Log recording gives you more latitude for grading your footage in post production as well. The PowerShot V1 has an internal cooling fan which Canon says means you can shoot 4K at 60 fps for over two hours.
Inputs and outputs
The Canon PowerShot V1 has a built-in stereo microphone. However, you can use an external mic via the microphone port. There’s also a headphone port for monitoring your audio. Also, the camera has an HDMI type D port for using an external monitor. The PowerShot V1 supports wired and wireless video streaming.
Other features
The Canon PowerShot V1 has a three-inch fully articulated LCD touch screen for composing your shots. There’s also a multi-function hot shoe that you can use for flash or audio accessories. And you can shoot still images at up to 30 fps using the camera’s electronic shutter mode.
What we think
The Canon PowerShot V1 has a great set of specifications for vlogging. It delivers a significant upgrade on the image quality you get from a smartphone. However, the camera is simple to use as well as being compact and lightweight. The image stabilization and option to record 10-but video in Canon Log3 are also features that will improve your video content. Hopefully, Canon will bring the PowerShot V1 to the USA market soon. It’s sure to be very popular with content creators.
Pricing and availability
At the time of writing, the Canon has only announced the launch of the PowerShot V1 in Japan where it will be available in late April. It will cost 148,500 Japanese Yen which equates to around $990 at current exchange rates. B&H in the U.S. has the PowerShot V1 listed as a “New Item – Coming Soon” but with no indication pricing or timeline for delivery.
