Canon is getting into vlog cameras. It's not a surprise move; the space is hot right now and rival brands Nikon and Sony already compete. Its first swing at the concept, the PowerShot V10, comes with in fresh, eye-catching form factor, which helps to cement the notion that it's purpose-built for self-recorded, vlog-style video.
The V10 May Look Familiar
The V10's form factor is refreshing, but not totally unfamiliar. The skinny, smartphone-style body is reminiscent of Flip Video cameras that ruled the consumer market in the late aughts. It makes more sense for handheld use versus the Sony ZV-1F, a vlog camera that's shaped like a normal point-and-shoot—the ZV-1F screams for a vlogging tripod grip for stable handheld recording, which adds to the cost. The V10 sidesteps that requirement, and includes an integrated kickstand with +/-30 degrees of tilt for tabletop recording.
Controls looks pretty straightforward too. There's a Record button on the front, and you can view the LCD from the rear, or flip it forward for self recording. A more extensive set of controls is located on the rear. For audio, the V10 has a stereo array on top, and leverages noise reduction to keep camera operation sounds out of your video.
A wide-angle lens is included to support the popular arm's length selfie recording that influencers and vloggers have taken to. The 19mm F2.8 prime is wide enough to capture talent and a decent swath of background even with digital stabilization enabled. The Type 1 format image sensor should provide some level of background blur too, though we've not had a chance to try the camera to evaluate its picture quality.
You can use the V10 as a webcam too; supports UVC/UAC via its USB-C port. The USB port also charges the internal battery, which Canon says is good for about 55 minutes of 4K record time. Video is saved to a UHS-I microSD card—there's no built-in memory in this model.
The V10 is positioned as an entry-level model and has a toolkit to match. It supports 4K30, 1080p60, and 1080p30 recording only, along with 13.1MP JPG pictures. The lens doesn't support any optical zoom, but a 1.5-3.0x digital zoom is available. Support for vertical video is there too, it's just a matter of holding the V10 sideways.
Advanced editors will miss Log video and Raw pictures. Instead the V10 offers more than a dozen creative color filters to give video a distinctive look. We wouldn't be surprised to see a higher-end vlog camera from Canon at some point, however, the V10 is billed as the first model in a new line, and a representative tells us that more models are "absolutely coming" in the future.
Pricing and Availability
The Canon PowerShot V10 is priced at $429.99 and is expected to start shipping in mid-June.