Canon PowerShot Vi

Canon's latest compact has a super-wide angle 16-50mm equivalent zoom lens that's ideal for video, but also has some photography uses. Richard Sibley checks it out

- Richard Sibley

At a glance

• £959.99

• 22.3MP 1.4in-type sensor

• 16-50mm equivalent f/2.8-4.5 lens

• 3in, 1.04m-dot fully articulated touchscreen

• Up to 30fps continuous shooting

• 4K 30p video (unlimited recording)

After the innovative design of the PowerShot V10, Canon's latest PowerShot V camera returns to a more typical form factor. As the V designation suggests, the Canon PowerShot V1 is designed primarily for video creation. It represents a step up from the V10, with a design and features that those who are more used to a 'proper' camera would expect. The V1's design owes a lot to the PowerShot G-series cameras, particularly what I would describe as the 'classic' line-up of G7-G12 cameras, with their bodies that are larger than you would expect for a compact camera, and handling that owes more to using a DSLR or mirrorless camera. The V1 takes this even further, and the chunky body is more akin to a Sony ZV-E10 in size.

Indeed, the PowerShot V series seems to be Canon's answer to Sony's ZV range of cameras. It brings a video-first approach for contemporary content creators, instead of those who would describe themselves more as videographers or photographers. But that shouldn't entirely put off videographers and photographers for whom many unique and compelling features are available, particularly when it comes to the relatively large sensor and the ultra-wideangle, 16-50mm equivalent zoom lens.

Features