The Canon PowerShot V1 is a fixed lens compact with a large sensor aimed at video creators. It’ll take 22 Megapixel photos, but as you’ll learn, many of the design, feature and control decisions are aimed at video users first. After all, the V in the name stands for video, so don’t expect a photo-oriented camera here.

Officially launched in March 2025 alongside the EOS R50 V, the two cameras build-upon the V series that started with the PowerShot V10. All are aimed at video creators but with different feature sets. As such I wouldn’t be surprised to see further V-series products in the future. In this respect it’s similar to Sony’s ZV series.

In terms of price and features, the V1 is positioned above the popular G7X Mark III from 2019. The G7X III officially remains on sale, although low supply and high demand for all G-series compacts ironically means the new V1 could actually work out cheaper compared to the scalpers on eBay. Let’s hope Canon can make enough of them and put an end to ridiculous opportunists. My full review is in the video below, but keep scrolling if you prefer to read the written highlights!

The V1 has a 1.4 type CMOS sensor with 22 Megapixels that’s roughly similar in height to Micro Four Thirds, but wider. Either way, comfortably larger than the 1in Type sensor in the G7X and Sony ZV1. It also has Dual Pixel CMOS AF, giving it the confident phase-detect autofocus that was lacking from previous G7X models.

There’s a 3.1x optical zoom equivalent to 16-50mm with an aperture of f2.8 to 4.5. The closest focusing is 5cm at wide or 15cm at long, and there’s optical stabilisation and a built-in 3-stop ND filter. There’s no viewfinder sadly, so composition is only with the 3in flip-screen.

It’ll film 1080 video up to 120p or 4k up to 30p with no crop and oversampled from 5.7k. There’s also 4k up to 60p but with a 1.4x crop. Impressively it also has a built-in cooling fan to extend recording times. There’s also product presentation modes, C-Log 3 for grading, a wealth of filters and enhanced digital movie stabilisation.

The body measures 118x68x53mm, weighs 426g including the LP-E17 battery and has a single SD slot, as well as microphone and headphone jacks and a tally lamp. I don’t think it’s weather-sealed. 

The USB port lets you use it as a 1080p webcam, and can also connect direct to your phone for live streams. On the top there’s a Multi-interface shoe – albeit with no apparent old flash sync pins, although like Sony can fit a wind muffler for the built-in mics.

Check prices on the Canon PowerShot V1 at B&H, Adorama, WEX UK or Calumet.de. Alternatively get yourself a copy of my In Camera book, an official Cameralabs T-shirt or mug, or treat me to a coffee! Thanks!