Canon PowerShot V1 vs Sony ZV-1: The Compact Camera Comeback

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Compact cameras are making a serious comeback—and what an exciting time it is to see Canon seemingly answer Sony’s wildly popular ZV lineup. In a world where mirrorless giants and smartphone sensors battle for dominance, point-and-shoots still offer something invaluable: simplicity, portability, and surprising power. Today, we're comparing the Canon PowerShot V1 to the Sony ZV-1, two creator-focused cameras that pack an impressive punch in a pocket-sized form.

Also here you can find the FREE PROJECT FILES for both cameras so you can dive in and explore for yourself. If you're still on the fence after you read this blog, you can take my free "Which Camera Should I Buy?" quiz.

Let’s kick things off with a blind test. Take a look at these comparison shots and decide which camera’s colors and overall image quality you prefer—before I tell you which is which. This way, you get an unbiased take before diving into the specs.

While you're studying the visuals, let’s talk about what these cameras have in common. Both have fixed lenses, meaning they aren’t interchangeable, but they’re built to be versatile out of the box. They each record in 4K, include internal ND filters, and offer both optical and digital image stabilization. You also get fully articulating flip-out screens, face tracking, and subject tracking—perfect for walk-and-talk vlogging or handheld setups. Audio-wise, both cameras include microphone inputs and multi-interface hot shoes, and they support wireless file transfers through companion smartphone apps. While neither includes an electronic viewfinder—which might be a deal-breaker for the old-school crowd—they both have front-facing tally lights and are incredibly compact, making them ideal for travel and lightweight setups. Each offers full manual exposure control, but neither camera is weather-sealed.

Now that we’ve covered the shared ground, let’s dig into the head-to-head testing.

Studio Test and Skin Tones

I threw both cameras into my studio headshot setup to not only compare them with each other but also with my A-camera: the full-frame Sony A7S III paired with a Zeiss 35mm f/1.4. This gave me a reference point for skin tones, sharpness, and dynamic range.

The PowerShot V1 did a fantastic job rendering skin tones—very natural and lifelike. I did notice a bit of facial distortion, but that was more due to the focal length I used. I tried to zoom in further, but with this lens, the more you zoom, the more aperture you lose, and I was aiming to keep the aperture as fast as possible at f/2.8. The Sony ZV-1 performed well too, though its skin tones leaned slightly more saturated. Its wider maximum aperture of f/1.8 gave it an edge when it came to background blur, despite having a smaller sensor.

Macro Test and Detail

To really stress the sensors, I tested macro performance in video mode. The PowerShot V1 can focus as close as 5.9 inches, and the resulting footage was impressive—detailed, sharp, and realistically colored. The ZV-1 doesn’t list a minimum focus distance quite as clearly, but it does include a "Product Showcase" mode that helps beginners lock focus during close-ups. Even so, I was satisfied with the macro shots from both.

Background Blur and Zoom

When fully zoomed in, the PowerShot V1 gives you a 52mm full-frame equivalent focal length, but its aperture narrows to f/4.5, which limits background blur. The Sony ZV-1 can reach 70mm while maintaining a brighter f/2.8 aperture, resulting in noticeably more background separation. In studio shots and product setups where I had to zoom to float the subject above the surface, the ZV-1 gave me creamier blur, though the PowerShot’s colors held up better under controlled lighting.

Interestingly, the Canon’s zoom was smoother and less jerky than the Sony’s, which showed some jittering in transition—especially in slower zooms. That may not matter to everyone, but if you zoom during takes, it’s something to keep in mind.

Stabilization and Vlogging Use

Both cameras include digital stabilization, but I would’ve liked to see in-body image stabilization (IBIS) in the PowerShot V1. While walking handheld with enhanced stabilization on the Canon, the footage didn’t impress me. Sony’s ZV-1, despite its older sensor and lighter body, actually performed better on uneven terrain.

However, when pulling the Canon’s focal length back to its widest 17mm full-frame equivalent, the PowerShot V1 handled vlog-style stabilization quite well. That wider field of view also helps make it a more vlog-friendly camera overall.

Sensor Size and Low Light

Canon takes the lead with a larger 1.4-inch sensor compared to the ZV-1’s 1-inch sensor. In theory, this should mean better low-light performance and more dynamic range. However, in my tests, the skin tones didn’t dramatically outperform the Sony, likely because the ZV-1 processes noise internally, even in standard color profiles.

Outdoors in natural light, both cameras performed well. The Sony ZV-1 had slightly more appealing skin tones for my taste, but indoors using only window light, the Canon revealed more facial contour detail and saturation. 

ND Filters and Bright Light Shooting

Both ND filters are usable in bright sunlight, but the PowerShot V1 handled exposure better when I overexposed the scene and then applied the ND. It brought the highlights down more evenly, which is useful for shooting outdoors at wide apertures.

Wide Angle Distortion and Zoom Range

The PowerShot V1 has a wider lens, which is great for vlogging and real estate shots, but it does introduce some distortion. The Sony ZV-1 doesn’t go as wide, but it zooms in farther—making it easier to get tighter framing on your subject.

Green Screen, LOG, and Color Grading

Both cameras handled green screen keying well, but the Canon’s footage showed a bit of magenta in the shadows. That’s why I recommend shooting in Canon’s C-Log3 for more grading flexibility. It’s a 10-bit codec, and when comparing both cameras’ footage side by side, the ZV-1’s 8-bit files clearly hit a ceiling during grading—especially in difficult lighting.

In golden hour footage, the Canon PowerShot V1 excelled when properly exposed. But if you underexpose, you’ll struggle to recover shadows. Sony, on the other hand, held up surprisingly well with some added noise.

Backlighting, Sun Color, and Skies

In backlit scenes, Canon held onto more color in foreground leaves, while the Sony ZV-1 leaned toward silhouette. The Canon also gave the sun a richer, more golden tone—though I personally prefer the pale-white look from the Sony. As for sky color, the PowerShot V1 won me over with its more natural blues, while Sony leaned slightly magenta.

Sharpness and Rolling Shutter

Despite Canon’s larger 22MP sensor compared to Sony’s 20MP, the sharpness difference isn’t massive unless you zoom in 5000%, which… let’s be real, nobody’s doing. That said, if you care about stills, the PowerShot V1 does offer sharper images, better dynamic range, and more depth.

Rolling shutter performance was similar on both—present, but not distracting unless you’re really panning fast or filming trees in a storm. 

Autofocus and Usability

Autofocus is blazing fast on both. Sony has long been the king of AF, but Canon has seriously stepped up with its Dual Pixel CMOS AF II system. Both cameras are reliable for tracking faces, eyes, and subjects in real-time.

The PowerShot V1’s body is larger and includes an internal cooling fan, great for longer shoots. The Sony ZV-1 is lighter and never gave me any overheating issues despite being so compact. Canon’s grip is far superior—Sony’s grip is barely there, and I’d strongly recommend a cage if you go that route.

Both menus are solid, but Canon’s is easier to navigate. Sony’s, even after years of use, still makes me hunt for features.

Ports, Battery, and Practical Design

Both cameras include mic ports, micro HDMI, and data transfer ports—USB-C for Canon and Sony’s older multi-port for the ZV-1. But Canon wins here with the addition of a headphone jack for real-time audio monitoring.

One shared downside: both have bottom-mounted tripod threads that block battery and card access when mounted. You’ll have to remove the plate or gimbal each time you swap power or media.

Battery life? The Canon PowerShot V1 wins again. I burned through two Sony batteries for every one Canon battery on the same shoot. I’d recommend extra batteries either way.

Frame Rates and Touchscreen

Canon can shoot in 4K up to 60fps (with a 1.4x crop), and 30fps with no crop. Sony fires back with high frame rate modes up to 960fps at 720p—great for slow motion enthusiasts. Canon’s playback screen is more responsive and scrollable, while Sony still relies more on physical buttons for navigation.

Conclusion

If you're looking for cinematic quality, pro-level features, and deep post-production flexibility, the Canon PowerShot V1 is the clear choice. Its 10-bit C-Log3, larger sensor, better grip, and thoughtful interface make it a powerhouse for serious creators—especially those focused on editing and storytelling.

But if you want something simple, spontaneous, and portable, the Sony ZV-1 is still a fantastic choice. It’s quick to use, nails autofocus, and delivers solid image quality straight out of camera—perfect for vlogs, product videos, and fast-paced content creation.

Both are strong contenders. It all comes down to how—and where—you shoot.

Let me know in the comments what other cameras you’d like to see go head-to-head with the Canon PowerShot V1. And if you want a “Photo vs Video Priority” chart or a visual spec breakdown, I’m happy to make one!

You can put this at the bottom -

📷 Sensor & Image Quality

🔍 Lens & Optics

🎥 Video Capabilities

🎯 Autofocus

📱 Display & Controls

🔊 Audio

🌐 Connectivity & Apps

🧊 Other Notables