Canon PowerShot V1 review: this compact camera comeback is a Sony ZV killer

The Canon PowerShot V1 is a camera that, while not quite what I expected, is one that the market is probably going to adore.

It was believed that the Canon PowerShot V1 would be a traditional compact camera, along the lines of the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III, but it's actually more of a compact vlogging camera along the lines of the Sony ZV-1 II.

While the market expected Canon to launch a compact that would replace the G7 X, instead it's launched one that complements it – and threatens the stranglehold that the ZV series previously enjoyed on cameras for vlogging.

Indeed, with the Canon EOS R50 V taking on the Sony ZV-E10 II as its interchangeable lens option, the brand is doubling down on the creator segment. So how does the Canon PowerShot V1 far in this brave new world?

Canon PowerShot V1: Specifications

Canon PowerShot V1: Price & availability

The Canon PowerShot was initially launched in Asia in late February, before rolling out worldwide a month later. The device immediately sold out on launch in Japan, but worldwide shipments have been steady since they started in early April.

The camera is priced at $899.99 / £959.99 / AU$1399.95 which, notably, is slightly more than that of the interchangeable lens EOS R50 V.

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Canon PowerShot V1: Performance

I've had three separate occasions to test the Canon PowerShot V1: prior to its initial Asian launch at CP+ 2025 in Japan, then at Canon's headquarters ahead of its Western release, before finally having a production sample to take home with me.

The best way to convey the performance of this camera is by watching the sample vlog I filmed with it, below. With a half-full battery, I headed up to a local landmark to record the kind of video that someone might actually use this camera for – which should give you a good indication of how the video, sound, stabilization and ND filter all perform in real-world use.

The 16-50mm zoom range is unmistakably intended for video – specifically, vlogging. I don't think it's any coincidence that it mimics the 18-50mm focal range of Sony's ZV-1 II. Nor do I think it's happenstance that the V1's sensor is a 22.3MP 1.4-inch affair – one that offers twice the area of the 1.0-inch 20.1MP sensor in the ZV-1 II.

An important thing to point out, which you can hear in my sample videos below, is that when recording audio through the V1's internal mic you can hear an electronic whir when you zoom the lens in and out, along with a click as the mechanism reaches each end of the zoom range. Obviously capturing audio externally will get around this issue, but it's worth noting for anyone using the camera on its own.

It's clear, then, that the PowerShot G7 X Mark III will remain the obvious option for photographers with its 24-100mm lens. Though the V1 is no slouch for imaging, as its sensor (similar in scale to those found in the best Micro Four Thirds cameras) is much larger and produces pleasing images all the way up to bursts of 30fps.

This is complemented by the Dual Pixel AF / Digic X processor combo that, while not the full-fat versions found in the EOS R cameras, is nonetheless very impressive.

Left to its own devices it is capable of locking onto the main subject in a given setting (though it wasn't always able to keep track of the fast basketball I was shooting), and it's suitably sticky when you tap the screen and select a subject to follow.

Watch the tail end of my below hands-on video and you'll see the subject detection working its magic – and it's particularly accurate during the 30fps bursts of the cheerleaders. Also worth noting is that the buffer seemed to go on forever, so long bursts are no problem.

Still, it's video that the Canon PowerShot V1 is clearly intended to shoot. That 16-50mm zoom – which becomes 17-52mm when shooting 4K 30p in 16:9 – is perfect for vlogging.

As you see in the video below, held at arm's length it enables you to squeeze loads into the frame – though be aware that shooting at 4K 60p invokes a crop, as does shooting with features like auto horizon-levelling and digital image stabilization.

The autofocus is very honest, and understands particularly when you are filming yourself in "selfie / vlogger mode", keeping the focus on your face and eyes, and not getting distracted by objects or subjects behind or around you.

You may have noticed the fan on the side of the body – the V1 has an active cooling system that keeps the camera from overheating to an impressive degree. In fact, I was completely unable to overheat the thing, even while burning through 4K video in blazing sunshine.

I've broken down the recording limits in a table below; all things being equal, the camera can record a single shot for a maximum of 6 hours with high frame rate turned off or 1 hour 30 minutes with it turned on.

Canon PowerShot V1: Sample video

As noted above, I filmed this sample vlog-style video to illustrate how the Canon PowerShot V1 performs in real content creation conditions. The video is captured in unedited 4K 30p, using the internal microphone with wind muffler attached.

Everything from the zoom range and image stabilization to the ND filters and audio quality should be clear from watching this video. (Apologies for any slap-dashness and heavy breathing – the camera only had half the battery remaining and I was rushing around to get it done!)

This is the original hands-on and overview I filmed in Japan, during my first opportunity to use the camera. It's not as in-depth as the above video, but there are still some useful snippets in there.

Canon PowerShot V1: Sample images

Canon PowerShot V1: Lab results

For our lab data comparison we compared the PowerShot V1 to its main rival vlogging camera, the Sony ZV-1 II, as well as two other compact cameras with a focus on image quality: the Leica D-Lux 8, and Ricoh GR IIIx.

Resolution (line widths/picture height):

The PowerShot V1's 22.3MP resolves similar levels of fine detail as the Leica and Sony cameras, with its marginally higher megapixel count helping it overcome the detail-obscuring effects of noise at higher ISOs. At 24MP, the sensor in the Ricoh GR IIIx isn't substantially higher in resolution than the 1.4-inch sensor in the PowerShot V1, but it's physically larger in size and resolves noticeably more detail at all sensitivities.

Dynamic range (EV):

Dynamic range is a measure of a camera's ability to record extreme brightness ranges and still retain detail in the brightest and darkest parts of the scene. It's measured in EV (exposure values, or 'stops').

The PowerShot V1 captures similar dynamic range to the ZV-1 II, though it can't quite match the performance of the D-Lux 8 at higher sensitivities. Once again, the larger APS-C sensor in the Ricoh demonstrates its size advantage, especially at high ISOs.

Signal to noise ratio (decibels):

This test compares the amount of random noise generated by the camera at different ISO settings as a proportion of the actual image information (the 'signal'). Higher values are better and we expect to see the signal to ratio fall as the ISO is increased.

Once again, the competing Canon and Sony cameras are closely matched, this time in terms of image noise. The D-Lux 8 does well to match the GR IIIx here, despite it having a significantly smaller sensor which in theory leaves it more susceptible to noise.

Canon PowerShot V1: Verdict

The Canon PowerShot V1 marks a triumphant return to the compact arena for Canon. It's a home run of a content creation camera, which is its primary function, but it also doubles as a useful everyday photo camera – its ultra-wide 16-50mm range is great for landscapes, travel and social shooting, and is of course ideal for video.

The camera takes aim squarely at the Sony ZV-1 II, and I think thoroughly outclasses it. They share some core features, of course, like a wind muffler and three-stop ND filter that do an amazing job of cutting through wind noise and make it easier to shoot in bright conditions.

However, the V1's larger sensor with oversampled 4K and optical lens stabilization produce better photo and video quality – and the faster burst rates also make it a superior choice for stills. I was impressed by the tenacity of the autofocus, even in prolonged 30fps bursts.

If you're someone who records walk-and-talk vlogs while stomping around, you might find the image stabilization a little bit wobbly, particularly at the edges – you can judge for yourself from the sample video above.

Personally I find the PowerShot V1's stabilization more than acceptable, and it's leagues better than what Sony offers on the ZV-1 II. But if you do want something more solid, take a look at the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 with its silky smooth gimbal stabilization. That said, I find that the Pocket has much weaker autofocus and it's a far less versatile camera.

Overall if you're a creator, vlogger or streamer and you want a portable, powerful device that's friendly enough for beginners but offers advanced capabilities like log shooting, the Canon PowerShot V1 is a fantastic choice. It also takes excellent stills and will blow away your smartphone in every department.

If the Canon PowerShot V10 is too basic for you but the Canon EOS R50 V is too advanced, I think the Canon PowerShot V1 is the ideal Goldilocks camera for content creators.