Canon’s new Powershot V1 revealed: Compact vloggers delight?

If you speak Japanese, I’d love to know if you’ve watched the video above and whether the below translation feels accurate and faithful!

Hello everyone. This is Okawa Yusuke. As a video creator, I’m working on developing cameras and apps that make it easy for anyone to capture their memories in videos.

Ta-da! Take a look at this. Today, Canon has announced a new product called the PowerShot V1, and I’d like to give you a pre-release review. I’ve been shooting with this PowerShot V1 extensively for a month. I took it with me everywhere I went. It’s compact, so I was able to shoot with it all the time. As you watch today’s review, I’ll also show you some of the footage I captured, which should give you a deeper understanding.

I think some people might say that their smartphone is good enough for capturing impressive scenery or memories with loved ones. But on the other hand, some people want to record their memories in high image quality. I also post various vlogs on YouTube and Instagram, and I think many people are looking for the ideal camera that is light and compact but doesn’t compromise on image quality. You might remember this, the PowerShot V10. This was, in a sense, Canon’s new lineup specializing in vlogging, launched a year or two ago. I’ve used it a lot myself, and there’s definitely something great about its size.

However, there were some concerns, like the lack of effective image stabilisation at higher zoom levels, or overheating issues during long recordings. But after a year or two of gathering feedback, Canon has developed the new V1, which I have here. Having used it, I feel that the concerns and issues I had with the V10 have been properly addressed in this V1. That’s why I genuinely want to recommend this product. I think it’s a product that vloggers have been truly waiting for. In today’s video, I’d like to share the appeal of this product and my impressions from using it.

First, let’s take a look at the design. Compared to the V10, the difference is obvious. The V10 had a very unique shape, which I loved, but the V1 has a more standard compact digital camera shape. When I first held it, the grip felt very comfortable in my hand. It fits well whether you’re shooting in the usual way or holding it for vlogging. I didn’t feel any fear of dropping it, and when I wanted to capture a subject, I found the controls very intuitive. The buttons aren’t too numerous, making it easy to use even for first-time camera users.

For someone like me, who has used many cameras, it still feels very familiar and comfortable. It has a microphone here, and you can slide this to protect it from noise when shooting outdoors. When you take it off, it looks like this, quite sleek. The buttons include power on/off, zoom, mode selection, and a quick switch between video and photo modes. On the side, there’s a microphone terminal, which is great for those who want to use an external microphone for better audio.

It also has a Type-C HDMI (micro) port, and the SD card slot is inside the battery compartment. There’s a tripod mount, and nothing on the left side. As you can see from its shape, there are some unique holes. I’ll explain what they are later. The front look is quite cool, isn’t it? It has a matte black finish, giving it a real camera feel. Canon has been developing compact digital cameras that vloggers love, and this is the latest version.

Let’s move on to the performance. The PowerShot V1 is equipped with an ultra-wide-angle lens and a 1.4-inch sensor. This is a technical explanation, but please take a look at this footage. The expressive power from this compact camera is truly amazing. Recently, I shot with an APS-C R7 with an interchangeable wide-angle lens, and honestly, the expressive power and the sense of capturing the scene were almost identical. Considering its size, I’m amazed that a compact camera can produce this quality.

As I mentioned earlier, for those who want a compact and lightweight camera with outstanding image quality, this is the perfect choice. I experienced that firsthand during my shooting. The lens has a maximum 16mm equivalent focal length in 35mm format when shooting stills, and zooms up to 50mm equivalent. In ultra-wide mode, it has an F2.8 aperture, providing a nice bokeh effect.

In video mode, it’s approximately 17mm to 52mm, also with an F2.8 aperture in ultra-wide, allowing for beautiful bokeh and bright shooting even in low-light conditions. Even with image stabilisation on, the wide angle is still very impressive. I mostly used image stabilisation during my shooting, not at the maximum setting but a moderate level. Even so, the wide angle it produces is very satisfying. For vlogging, you often shoot yourself and the scenery, and having a wide view captures more information and makes it easier to recall memories. That’s why I’ve always loved shooting myself with a wide angle for vlogs.

The 1.4-inch sensor is also a great feature. Compact cameras usually have a 1-inch sensor, but the sensor is the heart of the camera. While there might not be much difference in bright conditions, a larger sensor performs better in low light or at sunset, capturing a wider dynamic range. The 1.4-inch sensor has about twice the area of a 1-inch sensor, and it supports 5.7K oversampling for 4K 30P video and even slow motion. Honestly, I don’t think 4K or 8K resolution matters much in a compact camera.

The difference is hardly noticeable, especially when viewing on a smartphone. While this camera shoots in 4K, it feels more impactful than regular 4K. Even when compared to my larger R7 with a separate wide-angle lens, I felt the expressive power was about the same. The larger sensor size definitely contributes to the camera’s impressive image quality.

Additionally, it features Dual Pixel CMOS AF II, which significantly improves autofocus performance. It accurately focuses on moving subjects, such as pets’ eyes or other objects. As for the holes on the left side, they are for the cooling fan. Unlike the V10, which had overheating issues, the V1 has a mechanism to efficiently dissipate heat from inside the camera, allowing for longer recording times.

Camera needs vary depending on the purpose, and for vlogging, many people want to record for extended periods. I personally prefer shorter clips, but there are definitely times when you need to record for a longer duration, like at live events, weddings, or other events. Having a cooling system that efficiently dissipates heat is a very reassuring feature.

Since it’s winter now, I haven’t experienced any overheating issues, but the fact that it can record longer than the V10 is a great improvement. I didn’t notice any fan noise during recording, and it didn’t interfere with the microphone. While this is based on my experience in winter, the camera has definitely been updated for longer recording times.

Next, let’s talk about the image stabilisation. To be honest, I brought a gimbal with me on the first day of shooting, but I didn’t use it even once. All the footage I captured was with this camera alone. For vlogging, you often shoot while walking, and this camera combines optical and electronic image stabilisation to achieve 5-axis stabilisation.

The V10 had some issues with noticeable walking shake, but I was pleasantly surprised by the V1’s performance. I didn’t need a gimbal at all, even for creating professional-quality videos. I didn’t notice any strange shake while walking.

If you want to add some shake for artistic effect, you can simply turn it off. This might be partly due to the wide-angle lens, which makes shake less noticeable, but I was really impressed with the image stabilisation during my shooting. It’s not just for the ultra-wide angle; even when zoomed in, I didn’t notice any shake. It felt like I was using a tripod, even with telephoto shots. This camera truly eliminates the need for a gimbal. It can be fully enjoyed on its own.

It also supports various creative modes, such as a product showcase mode that automatically switches focus when you bring a product close to the camera, and a beauty mode that smooths out skin. While I don’t use it much myself, it can be useful for those days when your skin isn’t looking its best.

It also supports 10-bit log recording and 14 types of colour filters, which can be useful for those who want to casually adjust colours and textures without extensive colour grading. For connectivity, the camera supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, allowing you to quickly share photos and videos with your smartphone. It also supports Canon’s cloud services, enabling automatic transfer of shooting data to the cloud and easy access from your PC or smartphone.

That’s an overview of the PowerShot V1’s features. As I’ve been discussing the features, I think my impressions have become quite clear. Having used many products over the years, the image quality of this camera is amazing. For someone like me who uses Canon’s professional cameras like the R7 and R5 C, I was surprised by the expressive power this compact camera offers. Until now, there hasn’t been a compact camera that could shoot with such a wide angle and high image quality.

Action cameras exist, but their image quality isn’t as good. To summarise, the main good points, in my opinion, are its compact size, light weight, and the ability to fully utilise the 1.4-inch sensor for outstanding image quality. More specifically, it can record for long periods thanks to the cooling fan, and the autofocus is excellent. Of course, all those features are great, but the most impressive thing is that it can achieve this level of image quality in such a compact body, even with zoom. That’s my conclusion.

As for concerns, I noticed some cropping in 4K 60fps mode. The cooling fan wasn’t a problem in winter, but I wonder how it will perform in harsh summer conditions. The camera’s UI is similar to other cameras, so it might take some getting used to for beginners. Still, it’s very easy to operate, and this is more of a note than a negative point.

It’s great that Canon has taken all the feedback from the V10 and used it to create the updated V1. It shows their commitment to this product line. It’s a camera that caters to a wide range of users, from beginners to serious photographers, and it’s also perfect for vlogging. If you’re interested in the Canon PowerShot V1, please check the link in the description for more information.

Thank you for watching!