Canon PowerShot V1 Review: The Vlogger’s New Best Friend?

In an increasingly crowded market of compact cameras, Canon has made a bold statement with the PowerShot V1. Positioned as a video-first powerhouse, it aims to be the ultimate companion for vloggers, live streamers, and content creators on the go, while still offering commendable photo capabilities. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive in.

Who is it For?

The Canon PowerShot V1 is unequivocally designed for the modern content creator. If you’re a vlogger looking to upgrade from your smartphone, a live streamer needing a reliable, high-quality camera, or a casual creator who wants excellent video with solid still image performance in a portable package, the V1 is squarely in your sights. Its user-friendly interface and thoughtful design cater to those who prioritize ease of use without sacrificing advanced features. It’s also a strong option for travel and landscape photographers who appreciate a wide-angle lens and a compact form factor.

Key Specifications

• Sensor: 1.4-inch CMOS, approx. 22.3 Megapixels (effective)
• Lens: Built-in 8.2-25.6mm (16-50mm equivalent full-frame) f/2.8-4.5 zoom lens
• Video Resolution:
  • 4K UHD (3840×2160) up to 60p (1.4x crop at 60p)
  • Full HD (1920×1080) up to 120p (for slow motion)
• Autofocus: Dual Pixel CMOS AF II with subject detection (including eye detection for people and animals)
• Image Stabilization: Optical IS (lens-based) + Movie Digital IS (electronic)
• Display: 3-inch, 1.04M dot fully articulating touchscreen LCD
• Connectivity: USB-C (for data, charging, UVC/UAC streaming), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, 3.5mm microphone input, 3.5mm headphone output, micro HDMI output
• Audio: Built-in stereo microphones, included windscreen
• Other Features: Built-in 3-stop ND filter, active cooling fan, Canon Log 3, multi-function shoe, tally lamp
• Dimensions: 118.3 x 68.0 x 52.5 mm
• Weight: 426g (approx. 15 oz)
• Battery: LP-E17

Strong Features

For Video: A Vlogging Powerhouse

The “V” in V1 truly stands for video. Canon has packed this compact camera with features that make it a dream for videographers:

• Exceptional 4K Video: The V1 delivers sharp, oversampled 4K 30p video using the full sensor width, providing excellent detail and clarity. Even at 4K 60p, while a 1.4x crop is introduced, the footage remains impressive.
• Unlimited Recording: Thanks to its built-in cooling fan, the V1 can record 4K 30p video for extended periods without overheating, a significant advantage over many rivals.
• Advanced Autofocus: Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF II system is outstanding, offering fast, reliable, and sticky subject tracking with eye detection. This is crucial for vloggers who need to stay in focus while moving.
• Superior Audio Capabilities: Unlike many compacts, the V1 includes both a 3.5mm microphone input and a headphone jack for real-time audio monitoring. The built-in stereo microphones are surprisingly good, and an included windscreen further enhances outdoor audio quality.
• Effective Image Stabilization: The combination of optical image stabilization (OIS) from the lens and Movie Digital IS provides very stable footage, even when walking and vlogging handheld. Subject Tracking IS further refines stabilization based on subject position.
• Wide-Angle Lens: The 16-50mm equivalent lens (17-52mm for video) is ideal for vlogging, allowing you to comfortably fit yourself and your surroundings into the frame even at arm’s length.
• Canon Log 3: For more advanced users, the inclusion of Canon Log 3 allows for recording with a wider dynamic range and 10-bit color depth, offering greater flexibility in post-production.
• Built-in ND Filter: A 3-stop built-in ND filter is incredibly useful for shooting in bright conditions, enabling wider apertures for creative depth of field without overexposure.
• Vari-Angle Touchscreen: The fully articulating touchscreen is perfect for self-shooting, allowing you to easily monitor your framing and settings.

For Photos: More Than Just an Afterthought

While video-centric, the V1 is no slouch when it comes to still photography:

• Large Sensor for a Compact: The 1.4-inch sensor (roughly equivalent to a Micro Four Thirds sensor in area) delivers excellent image quality, particularly in good light, with good detail and pleasing colors.
• Good Low Light Performance: The larger sensor helps the V1 perform well in lower light conditions compared to smaller-sensor compacts, with manageable noise levels up to ISO 3200.
• Fast Burst Shooting: With up to 30fps burst shooting using the electronic shutter (and 15fps with the mechanical shutter), it’s capable of capturing fast-moving subjects.
• RAW Shooting: The ability to shoot in RAW (C-RAW) provides greater flexibility for editing and recovering detail in highlights and shadows.
• Optical Image Stabilization: The optical IS in the lens benefits still photography, helping to achieve sharper images in challenging handheld situations.
• Versatile Focal Length: The 16-50mm equivalent range is great for landscapes, street photography, and general travel, offering a wide perspective.

Limitations

For Video: A Few Hiccups

• 4K 60p Crop: While 4K 60p is available, it comes with a noticeable 1.4x crop, which can limit your wide-angle perspective, especially for vlogging.
• Rolling Shutter: At 4K 30p, rolling shutter can be quite significant, leading to a “jello” effect when panning quickly. The cropped 4K 60p mode helps mitigate this due to sampling a smaller sensor area.
• 1080p 120p Softness: While 120p Full HD is available for slow motion, some reviews indicate the footage can be a bit soft.
• No Weather Sealing: The presence of cooling vents means the camera is not weather-sealed, requiring caution in adverse conditions.
• Zoom Noise: When using the power zoom during video recording, some electronic whirring and clicking sounds can be picked up by the internal microphone.

For Photos: Not a Photographer’s Primary Tool

• No Viewfinder or Built-in Flash: The absence of an electronic viewfinder (EVF) can be a drawback in bright sunlight, making framing difficult. There’s also no built-in flash, requiring an external unit for low-light stills.
• Limited Telephoto Reach: The 50mm equivalent at the long end of the zoom is relatively short, making it less suitable for tightly framed portraits, wildlife, or sports photography.
• Slower Maximum Aperture at Telephoto: The f/4.5 maximum aperture at the telephoto end limits low-light performance and background blur compared to faster lenses.
• Photography Options Buried: While it has a mode dial for traditional exposure modes, some photography-specific settings can be less intuitive to access compared to its video features.
• Fixed Lens: As a compact camera, the fixed lens limits versatility compared to interchangeable lens systems.

Conclusion

The Canon PowerShot V1 is a highly compelling option for its target audience: content creators who prioritize excellent video quality, robust autofocus, and superior audio in a portable, easy-to-use package. Its strengths in 4K recording, unlimited shooting times, and comprehensive audio features truly set it apart in the compact vlogging camera segment, giving rivals like the Sony ZV-1 II a serious run for their money.

While it makes some compromises on the still photography side, particularly with the lack of a viewfinder and limited telephoto reach, its photo capabilities are still more than adequate for casual use, travel, and landscapes. If your primary focus is creating high-quality video content and you want a camera that can keep up with your creative flow without the bulk of a mirrorless system, the Canon PowerShot V1 is an exceptional choice and well worth the investment.