After practically disappearing as a class, compact cameras are making a comeback. Fujifilm’s X100 VI grew to become a star on the images facet, because of its attractiveness and classy movie emulations. And DJI’s Osmo Pocket 3 captivated content material creators with its motorized topic monitoring and a gimbal that smooths harsh digital camera strikes.
Now, Canon has jumped again into compacts with the PowerShot V1, a vlogging-centric mannequin that follows the six-year-old G7X Mark III. It’s designed to outshine rivals with a big 1.4-inch 22-megapixel sensor, and boasts different spectacular options like optical stabilization and 4K supersampled video. On the similar time, this digital camera is surprisingly stable relating to images.
The V1’s 16-50mm lens is sweet and huge nevertheless it’s sluggish in comparison with its principal rival, Sony’s ZV-1 II. And the place Fujifilm’s X100 VI is svelte and fairly, the PowerShot V1 is apparent and a bit chonky. Nonetheless, none of that detracts from the truth that this can be a {powerful} compact digital camera able to capturing unimaginable video and pictures, particularly in low mild, and may swimsuit many creators.
Design and dealing with
As an alternative of going retro like Fujifilm, Canon selected a extra useful strategy to the PowerShot V1’s design. It’s comparatively thick at 2.1 inches, a bit greater than the X100 VI when you don’t embrace the lens, nevertheless it’s barely lighter at 15.03 oz with a battery. By comparability, Sony’s ZV-1 II is simply 10.3 ounces and 1.84 inches thick.
The PowerShot V1 bears some resemblance to Canon's G7X III that has turn into massively standard of late, however is thicker because of the built-in fan and energy zoom lever. In contrast to the G7X III, the V1 lacks a popup flash sadly, however does have a hotshoe for exterior flashes. Canon additionally moved the report button from the again to a extra sensible place on prime.
The grip is small, however the rubberized floor makes it straightforward to carry, particularly when vlogging. Controls are enough for a compact, however I’d desire a minimum of one dial on the highest to alter settings. It will even be good if the digital camera was a bit extra pocketable like Sony’s ZV-1 II. The buttons and dials are responsive, however they do really feel a bit low cost subsequent to Canon’s mirrorless fashions. Briefly, the PowerShot V1 provides stable dealing with however isn’t a looker like Fuji’s choices.
One other good change is a brand new absolutely articulating display, changing the earlier mannequin’s pop-up show. That makes vlogging and images simpler, as you possibly can see the display when holding the digital camera excessive, low or towards you. My solely grievance is that it’s a bit too dim when utilized in vibrant daylight. And you’ll’t simply look by the digital viewfinder to get a clearer view, as a result of there isn’t one on the PowerShot V1.
This digital camera has respectable battery life for a compact at 400 pictures or about 75 minutes of 4K 30p taking pictures on a cost. Different notable options embrace mic and headphone inputs together with a microHDMI and USB-C (charging and information switch) ports, plus a single SD UHS-II card slot.
Vlogging and content material creation
The ‘V’ in PowerShot V1 stands for vlogging, so let’s speak about that subsequent. To finest serve in that capability, it makes use of a large 16-50mm equal lens so you possibly can at all times suit your face into the body, even in cropped mode. Nevertheless, that zoom vary may also be limiting for capturing closeups or B-roll.
Video specs are top-notch for a compact, with sharp, supersampled 4K 30p video that makes use of the total sensor width or 4K 60p video with a 1.4x crop. On prime of that, you possibly can seize 10-bit video when utilizing Canon’s C-Log 3 or HDR codecs.That’s higher than Sony’s ZV-1 II, which solely provides 4K 30p and S-Log video with no 10-bit possibility. Nevertheless, DJI’s Osmo Pocket 3 surpasses each fashions with uncropped 4K at as much as 120 fps, whereas additionally providing 10-bit D-LogM or HDR video.
With its massive sensor, the PowerShot V1 provides sharp video and correct, pure colour rendering with Canon’s traditional excellence in pores and skin tones. Taking pictures in C-Log3 10-bit boosts dynamic vary significantly in sunny or contrasty scenes, whereas supplying you with extra latitude to regulate video in submit. And when it is advisable to shoot indoors or at night time, the digital camera outperforms compact rivals, displaying decrease noise at excessive ISO settings.
The drawback of a bigger sensor is that rolling shutter that may warp video is extra pronounced than on Sony’s 1-inch ZV-1 II on the 4K 30p setting. If that’s a priority, the cropped 4K 60p setting reduces the issue because it samples a smaller portion of the sensor.
Overheating isn’t a problem with this digital camera both, because of the built-in fan. I by no means noticed any signal of a heat-related shutdown when utilizing the PowerShot V1 with the temperature threshold setting at “excessive.”
Autofocus is a vital function for vlogging and the PowerShot V1 competes nicely in opposition to Sony’s ZV-1 II, because of its upgraded processor. It stays locked even on fast-moving topics and the eye- and face-detection, together with topic detection for animals and automobiles, all work nicely.
The place the ZV-1 II solely provides digital video stabilization, the PowerShot V1 marries 5-stop optical stabilization with digital stabilization. Meaning you possibly can shoot clean handheld video with none affect on picture high quality, or allow e-stabilization for strolling or different difficult situations. Nevertheless, neither digital camera holds a candle in that regard to DJI’s Osmo Pocket 3, which has a built-in 3-axis gimbal.
Audio can be a plus on the PowerShot V1, because it provides each mic and headphone jacks, whereas the ZV-1 II lacks a headphone port. Canon’s mannequin additionally has a good built-in stereo mic and comes with a hotshoe-attached wind muff.
Pictures
Regardless of the vlogging emphasis, the PowerShot V1 is very succesful for images as nicely. The truth is, it excels in each picture high quality and pace because of the distinctive 22.4MP, 1.4-inch sensor and Canon’s newest Digic X picture processor to energy autofocus and AI features.
You possibly can hearth off bursts at as much as 30 fps in digital mode, and a really speedy 15 fps with the mechanical shutter (and sure, it has a mechanical shutter which is uncommon for a compact). That makes it one of many quickest compacts out there. By comparability, the X100 VI can hit 25 fps speeds whereas the ZV-1 II is proscribed to fifteen fps speeds. The Osmo Pocket 3, in the meantime, can take images however is de facto designed virtually solely for video.
The PowerShot V1’s excessive speeds are backed up by Canon’s Twin Pixel II focus system that delivers sharp images nearly all of the time, powered by the corporate’s newest AI tech for face- and eye-detection. As with different current fashions, the digital camera additionally provides AI topic detection for animals, automobiles, airplanes and extra.
The PowerShot V1 trumps Sony’s ZV-1 II with its built-in 5-stop optical stabilization to cut back blur. That enabled me to take pictures all the way down to an eighth, and generally even 1 / 4 of a second, to blur backgrounds whereas preserving the foreground sharp.
The difficulty with most compact cameras is that they will take good images in well-lit circumstances however begin to fall down in low mild. That’s not the case with the PowerShot V1. The bigger 1.4-inch sensor may be very shut in measurement to Micro 4 Thirds, so it delivers clear pictures as much as ISO 6400, with manageable noise whilst excessive as ISO 12800.
The great thing about Canon cameras is that you just get great-looking pictures straight out of the digital camera with no fuss, significantly with pores and skin tones — an amazing boon for freshmen. JPEG pictures have a very good steadiness of sharpening and noise discount, whereas RAW images enhance dynamic vary in tough taking pictures circumstances and provide you with extra room to mess around when modifying in Lightroom.
Wrap-up
I can see what Canon was going for with the $900 PowerShot V1. It successfully beats out its principal compact vlogging rival, Sony’s ZV-1 II, by providing a bigger sensor, optical stabilization and extra video choices for across the similar value. And it appeals to hybrid shooters greater than DJI’s Osmo Pocket 3 as it may well higher deal with images chores whereas additionally capturing higher-quality video.
The issue is that it’s nonetheless primarily a vlogging digital camera and lots of content material creators have deserted this sort of compact mannequin in favor of the Osmo Pocket 3. That’s as a result of the Pocket 3 provides distinctive options like motorized digital camera monitoring and a superior three-axis gimbal. It additionally pairs with DJI’s standard Mic 2 and Mic mini wi-fi microphones, which is one other massive benefit. On the similar time, the PowerShot V1 has a reasonably fundamental design, so it could not enchantment to patrons on the lookout for one thing prettier just like the X100 VI.
On the finish of the day, the PowerShot V1 is sure to be successful as a result of it delivers relating to video and picture high quality — particularly given the present reputation of the now-ancient G7X III. The truth is, I’d advocate it over Sony’s ZV-1 II, significantly when you’re on the lookout for a hybrid digital camera that pulls double responsibility.
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