Canon Expands Vlogging Lineup with Two New Models

Canon is making a significant push into the vlogging market with the introduction of two new cameras: the R50 V mirrorless and PowerShot V1 compact. Both models are designed to compete with Sony’s vlogging lineup, offering a range of features that cater to content creators. The PowerShot V1 boasts a large 1.4-inch sensor, which is substantially larger than those found in most compact cameras. In contrast, the R50 V mirrorless camera offers features similar to Sony’s ZV-E10 II but at a lower price point.

PowerShot V1 Compact Camera

The PowerShot V1 was initially announced and released in Japan but is now set to launch in North America. This compact camera is positioned to compete with Sony’s ZV-1 II, featuring a 1.4-inch 22.3MP sensor that is roughly the same size as Micro Four Thirds sensors but with a horizontal aspect ratio better suited for video. The larger sensor size, combined with the 17-52mm (3.1x zoom) f/2.8-4.5 lens, should provide superior performance in low-light conditions and offer a shallower depth of field.

After spending a day with the PowerShot V1, it’s clear that this camera is heavy for its class, weighing in at 426 grams (15 ounces), and is fairly thick. The camera features a limited set of manual controls, including a top mode dial, a rear setting dial, and a lens dial for aperture. It also includes a 3-inch, one-million-dot fully articulating rear display but lacks an electronic viewfinder, similar to the ZV-1 II.

The PowerShot V1 supports 4K 30 fps supersampled video using the full sensor width, 4K 60p video with a 1.4 times crop, or 1080p at 240 fps. It also features Canon C-Log3 with 10-bit 4:2:2 capture, which should improve dynamic range and make grading easier. The camera includes optical and digital enhanced stabilization and comes with a built-in cooling fan, allowing for unlimited shooting times at all resolutions.

Like the ZV-1 II, the PowerShot V1 offers several shooting modes tailored for creators, including a "close-up demo mode" and "smooth skin mode" for beauty-style shooting. The camera also features a "movie IS mode" designed for vloggers, which stabilizes jolting movements like walking.

Other notable features of the PowerShot V1 include Canon’s Dual Pixel II autofocus system with subject detection and face/eye tracking. It also supports a "subject tracking IS" mode that adjusts cropping to center the subject in the frame. The camera can be used as a 1080p webcam via the USB-C port and allows for live streaming when connected to a smartphone.

The PowerShot V1 will be available in April 2025 for $900.

EOS R50 V

Canon’s EOS R50 V is the company’s first true mirrorless vlogging-specific camera and is designed to compete with Sony’s ZV-E10 II. The camera is slightly taller than the PowerShot V1 but has similar dimensions otherwise, weighing a bit more when paired with the new 14-30mm (21-45mm full-frame equivalent) f/4-6.3 power zoom lens.

The R50 V features a range of manual controls, including a primary control dial on top, a zoom rocker for supported lenses, and a mode dial that allows for custom video and vlogging modes. The camera also includes a fully articulating 3-inch display but lacks an electronic viewfinder.

The EOS R50 V comes with a 24MP APS-C sensor and features from Canon’s Cinema EOS system, including C-Log3 capture and 10-bit 4:2:2 video. It can capture supersampled 4K 30 fps video using the full sensor width, 4K 60p video with a crop, or 120 fps 1080p video. The camera is also suitable for photographers, allowing for 12 fps bursts with the first-curtain shutter or 15 fps with the electronic shutter, all with continuous autofocus enabled.

Like the ZV-E10 II, the R50 V lacks in-body stabilization but offers optical stabilization with supported lenses, along with electronic stabilization. The camera also features an enhanced IS mode for abrupt movements like walking.

The R50 V will be available for $650 for the body only or $850 with the new RF-S14-30mm F4-6.3 IS STM PZ lens. Canon has also announced the $1,700 RF 20mm f/1.4L VCM full-frame lens, part of its fast hybrid cinema-friendly series.

With the introduction of the PowerShot V1 and EOS R50 V, Canon is making a significant push into the vlogging market. Both cameras offer a range of features that cater to content creators, and their pricing is competitive with Sony’s offerings. As such, they are worth considering for anyone looking to upgrade their vlogging setup.