Canon PowerShot V1 Hands-on Review
Summary Verdict
The Canon PowerShot V1 is a compact camera built with content creators in mind, combining video-centric features with Canon’s proven imaging technology. It’s larger and more advanced than the popular G7 X Mark III, with a new 1.4-inch sensor delivering 22.3MP stills, and it's designed to give a more refined shooting experience for hybrid users. Unlimited 4K recording, Dual Pixel CMOS AF II, and a host of video tools make this a serious step up from a smartphone for vloggers, streamers, and anyone looking for a pocketable camera that doesn’t make a major compromise on image quality.
While it doesn’t have a viewfinder, the V1 features a 3-inch vari-angle touchscreen that makes it easier to shoot from high or low angles and flip around for self-recording.
Score: TBC
For
Large sensor for a compact camera
Versatile lens
Compact size
Against
No viewfinder
The Canon PowerShot V1 has vents for the built-in fan to expel heat.
What is the Canon PowerShot V1?
Originally announced in Asia in February, Canon is now introducing the PowerShot V1 globally, expanding its camera line up for content creators. The PowerShot V1 follows on from the PowerShot V10 announced in May 2023 and is the flagship model in the PowerShot V range of compact cameras. It offers more control and flexibility than the V10.
Notably, the Canon PowerShot V1 is a premium compact that’s positioned above the popular PowerShot G7 X Mark III, not replacing it but complementing it. The V1 has a familiar Canon aesthetic and looks like the G-series models, but it’s a little larger and easier to grip thanks to its contoured handgrip.
Read our Canon EOS R50 V Review
Canon PowerShot V1 Price and Availability
The Canon PowerShot V1 is priced at £959.99 / €1089.99 and will go on sale from 10th April 2025.
Canon PowerShot V1 Specifications
Camera type: compact
Announced: 26th March 2025
Sensor: 1.4-inch type 22.3 MP CMOS
Lens: 8.2 - 25.6 mm F2.8-4.5 - equivalent to 16-50mm in full-frame terms
Optical stabilisation: Up to 5 stops compensation
Max video resolution: 4K 30p or 4K 60p with a 64% crop
Dimensions (W x H x D): 118.3 x 68 x 52.5 mm
Weight: 426 g with battery and SD card
The grip on the Canon PowerShot V1 is well-shaped and has a textured coating that gives excellent purchase.
Key Features
The PowerShot V1 features a 1.4-inch type sensor that captures 22.3MP stills and 4K video oversampled from 5.7K. This sensor comes with Canon’s excellent Dual Pixel AF II system, which includes subject and eye detection for both people and animals, as well as tracking autofocus.
Its lens offers a flexible 16-50mm equivalent zoom range with a variable aperture of f/2.8–4.5, making it ideal for everything from wide-angle vlogging to tighter portrait shots. The control ring on the lens is customisable, so you can set it to adjust focus, zoom or other settings such as exposure compensation, depending on your preference.
In video mode, there’s 4K recording at 30p with no time limit thanks to an active heat-reduction system, and 4K 60p recording with a 64% crop, or Full HD at 120p. Other tools for video creators include Log 3, zebra patterns, focus peaking, a tally lamp, timecode support and built-in ND filters offering up to 3 stops of light reduction. Canon has clearly taken feedback from creators seriously, adding features like the product focus mode – ideal for anyone filming reviews or tutorials – and two- and ten-second self-timers for those working solo.
While there's a 3-inch vari-angle touchscreen, the V1 doesn't have a viewfinder.
A switch on the top of the camera allows you to swap betwene stills or video shooting, leaving the mode dial free to set the exposure mode whatever you’re shooting.
Build and Handling
Although it’s bigger than the G7 X Mark III, the PowerShot V1 is still compact enough to be considered pocketable - although it's unlikely you'll squeeze it in your jeans pocket. It feels nicely balanced in the hand, with a good-sized grip that's that has an impressively grippy coating. Crucially, the PowerShot V1 is easy and comfortable to hold facing forwards or back towards the user.
Canon has struck a nice balance between ease of access to key features with plenty of physical controls and cramped handling. Yes, the buttons are small, but they are easy to operate and there's a decent amount of room for your thumb on the back of the camera. There's also a good array of customisation available so you can set-up the camera to suit your shooting preferences.
One control that isn't present and that I would like to see is a mini joystick. This makes moving the AF point around the frame easier than using the navigation pad - although you can tap on the screen. I suspect this has been omitted to save space.
On the top plate, there’s a mode dial with the usual P,Av,Tv, M (program, aperture priority, shutter priority and manual) modes, plus an intelligent auto option, scan mode, filter mode and a collection of three custom settings. Helpfully, a switch lets you toggle between stills and video modes so you can set the exposure mode via the dial whether you're shooting stills or moves without having to dip into the menu.
On top is a multifunction hotshoe that supports a growing range of Canon accessories. While it doesn’t support full 5-pin communication for flashguns like the EL-1, it does allow for extras like the Tascam XLR adapter for more professional audio input. There’s also a microphone port and a headphone jack for audio monitoring, as well as USB-C connectivity for charging, live streaming or webcam use.
Canon supplies a wind muff with the PowerShot V1. This slots into the hotshoe and covers the onboard mic.
Performance
I've been able to shoot with the Canon PowerShot V1 briefly, and although I need to shoot more for a full review, it feels responsive and capable. My initial impressions of the autofocus system is that it's quick and accurate, and the eye and subject detection seems dependable.
I used the V1 on a bright sunny day in March in the UK and I had to turn the screen's brightness up to its maximum to get a good view of the view. Even then, some areas were a little hard to make out. This was made more difficult when I shot rode in contrast-flattening Log mode without the view assist activated.
So far, I'm impressed by the quality of the stills and video, the footage looks clear and crisp while images have a good level of detail Left to its own devices, the camera also balances exposure well and the default colours are natural yet vibrant.
The Canon PowerShot measures 118 x 68 x 53 mm (4.65 x 2.68 x 2.09″) and weighs 426 g (15.03 oz).
Canon PowerShot V1 Sample Images
The Canon PowerShot V1 has an impressively close shortest focusing distance. This image was shot at the widest point of the lens with an aperture of f/8.
The same daisy, this time shot at the longest end of the lens.
The large aperture gives scope for capturing shallow depth of field. This image was captured at the equivalent of around 32mm and F/4.
There’s an excellent leve of detail in the low-ISO images from the Canon PowerShot V1
In the default settings, when examined at 100% on screen, some high-contrast edges look a little over sharpened in the Jpegs from thd Canon PowerShot V1, but the raw files are better.
Early Verdict
Canon’s PowerShot V1 appears to be a well-considered camera that bridges the gap between smartphone shooting and larger, interchangeable-lens systems. It brings pro-level tools into a tidy, compact body that should feel at home in the hands of vloggers, educators, livestreamers and hybrid creators who want more than their phone can offer.
With its 22.3MP stills, snappy autofocus and robust video feature set, it feels like a logical next step up from the G7 X Mark III and a compelling option in the increasingly competitive creator camera market. If you’re after a compact that’s genuinely built for video, and only compromised for stills by the lack of a viewfinder, the Canon PowerShot V1 seems a strong contender.
