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| (Image: © James Artaius) |
Finally, a vlogging camera that can take the place of your phone as your go-to video capture device is the Canon PowerShot V10. It is as easy to use as a smartphone and is about the size of a pack of cigarettes, but what makes it unique are its high-quality microphones, built-in stand, streaming capabilities, and picture clarity. This may become my go-to daily vlogging camera and live permanently in my camera bag.
Product Pros and Cons
Pros
- Good image quality
- Truly-pocket sized
- Built-in stand
- Face tracking AF
Cons
- Lens is a fingerprint magnet
You have never seen a camera like the Canon PowerShot V10. It really has a lot more similarities with your phone, and for good reason.
We have been waiting years for Canon to release the Canon PowerShot V10, a vlogging camera that isn't simply a standard camera body with video-oriented capabilities but one that has been developed from the ground up just for vlogging.
As a consequence, the gadget functions remarkably similarly to the greatest camera phones when it comes to shooting video: all you have to do is press a button to aim it without adjusting lenses, log settings, shutter speeds, frame rates, or even tripods. Therefore, it's perfect for impromptu filming, posting on social media, streaming, and any other situation when you just want to document without fuss. It's also perfect for people who don't shoot videos but wish cameras were as simple as phones.
Is the Canon PowerShot V10 the camera that users would truly grab for in order to capture brief videos rather than using their phones? See my brief video review here for a more straightforward look at this unique camera's features and operation!
Editor's note: There were some complications because of a technical issue with our initial Canon PowerShot V10 sample. We've added a final judgment and score to the Performance section and updated it after evaluating a properly working sample.
Canon PowerShot V10 Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Sensor | 20.1MP 1-inch back-illuminated CMOS |
| Lens | 6.6mm f/2.8 (equivalent 18mm for stills, 19mm for video) |
| AF Modes | Face Tracking AF, Specified Frame AF |
| ISO Range | 125 to 6400 FullHD • 125 to 3200 4K |
| Image Stabilization | Movie Digital IS |
| Max Image Size | 5,472 x 3,648 |
| Max Video Resolution | 4K 30p, FullHD 60p (IPB Standard, IPB Light) |
| Recording Limit | 1 hour |
| Memory Card | 1 x microSD |
| LCD | 2-inch 180° tilting touchscreen |
| Weight | 211g (with memory card) |
CANON POWERSHOT V10: KEY FEATURES
A new series of specialized cameras for vloggers begins with the V10. This model is mostly focused on movie capture because it is intended for beginning vloggers with 99% video material.
Its 20.1MP sensor is an altered version of the one that was included in the Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III, which was launched to enhance the contrast-detect focusing technology. It also features face tracking autofocus (vlogging mode).
The 6.6mm f/2.8 lens on the V10 provides an effective focal length of 19mm for 16:9 or 9:16 video and 18mm for still images (3:2). The latter allows for 1.5x, 2x, or 3x digital zoom. It has a minimum aperture of f/8.0 and a three-stop adjustable Auto ND optical filter.
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| Canon PowerShot V10 sample photo (1/320 sec, f/4.0, ISO125) File taken on a pre-production camera (Image credit: James Artaius) |
Video may be recorded in IPB Standard or Light mode at up to 60p in FullHD (1080p) or 30p in 4K. Complete auto or manual control is available, and movies can benefit from digital picture stabilization that crops a tiny portion of the image into the frame.
In addition to adjusting the blue/amber and magenta/green color tones, you may apply 14 color filters (such StoryTeal&Orange and RetroGreen) and use the Smoothskin Movie Mode to make your face appear plastic-like.
Regarding connectivity, the Canon PowerShot V10 may function as a UVC / UAB webcam via its USB-C connector, which also charges the built-in battery, and wirelessly livestream to YouTube and Facebook at 3.5 or 6Mbps in FullHD 30p.
It may also be operated remotely using the Canon BR-E1 Bluetooth remote or the Camera Connect smartphone app.
CANON POWERSHOT V10: DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE
The V10 is really small, as the pictures below show. It resembles a little Ring doorbell in appearance and is about the size of a pack of cigarettes. It's fascinating to see that it's the same size as our Canon EOS R5's LCD screen! Below are few pictures that demonstrate its size.
Since the V10 is an entry-level model, it is not weather protected, but it also prioritizes sound quality because moisture on waterproof cameras tampers with the microphone's ability to capture clear sound.
The camera is quite easy to use. There is only one button on the front of the device—a large, circular "record" button—that makes it easy to use. It looks a lot like the camera mode button on your smartphone.
The 180° tilting screen is adorable and fantastic; it has extremely sensitive touch controls and outstanding build quality, however people with thick fingers or impaired vision may find it difficult to use due to its small size.
Merely six buttons are located on the rear of the camera: power, playback, Menu,'switch' (toggling between different choices, such photo to video), Set / Q, and a D-Pad fashioned like a donut for directional control in addition to Info, timer, and delete.
Image Gallery
There is a USB-C port on the left side of the camera, and microphone and micro HDMI connections on the right. A conventional tripod mount and an access flap for the microSD card slot are located at the bottom of the V10.
Twin excellent microphones with digital wind correction and three tiny holes for the integrated speaker are located at the top of the camera. Note that there's an interesting design decision at work here that varies by region: in some, Canon has teamed up with SmallRig to produce a cage that includes extra mounting points and, most importantly, wind mufflers for the microphones (see photos below).
Mufflers may be quite essential to capturing clear sound while recording outside. But since they weren't included into the V10 design, SmallRig's answer is to use adhesive feet to physically attach them to the top of the camera. The feet and mufflers may be easily added or removed thanks to their magnetic connectors.
We would have rather seen integrated magnets or other solutions to attach mufflers without having to glue anything to the top of the camera because this seems like a really awkward option!
Image Gallery
CANON POWERSHOT V10: PERFORMANCE
First, let's look at the stills. Although this isn't intended to be a stills camera, it still produces some very nice shots, especially when you consider that the photo mode is fully automated (except from the ability to adjust brightness). Nevertheless, there is a good deal of flexibility in the files for post-production because of the 1-inch sensor; we discovered that the V10 files result in extremely beautiful black-and-white pictures.
And now, let's talk about vlogging. Given that this camera is meant to be a highly automated, beginner's tool, it is just as crucial to analyze the video that is taken in auto movie mode as it is to adjust the settings manually. And we're really pleased with the V10's video in both settings.
Excellent face tracking, smooth image stabilization (with a wide enough field of view to allow for non-intrusive cropping), and excellent 4K and FullHD quality are all on offer (though the fidelity is obviously not going to rival the best cameras for video, as that's not what this is designed for).
The audio quality was clear and sharp even without the (optional, offered separately) wind mufflers connected, even during testing in windy circumstances that would have caused terrible interference when using a smartphone. I wasn't expecting much, considering how bad integrated mics are on most cameras (even some of the more current Sony vlogging models), but they really amazed me.
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| Canon PowerShot V10 sample photo (1/500 sec, f/2.8, ISO200) File taken on a pre-production camera (Image credit: James Artaius) |
The picture stabilization worked really well, providing smooth movement even while walking or panning and reducing the sound of footsteps. The large field of view, which is naturally more resilient to camera motion, aids with this, but the stabilization prevents the "corner wobbles" that certain wide-angle cameras encounter, akin to Jell-O.
The focal length is an excellent field of vision to work with for vlogging; it is 18mm for stills and 19mm for video (because of the change in aspect ratio).It indicates that even when you're holding the V10 at arm's length, there's plenty of you in the picture. If the V10 is resting on a tabletop, there's also plenty of space in the frame for vloggers to wave their arms, hold objects up to the camera, and do other actions.
The V10's small size should not be disregarded. You can carry it everywhere you go because it is incredibly portable, and its small size allows for excellent camera angles. The V10 is so tiny that I could nest it in a cup holder to get Hitchcock-style driving shots and I could quickly and easily stand it on the floor at my aerial class to get all kinds of privileged perspectives of me flying around. I used it to record a vlog of me getting ready, driving to, and participating in an aerial yoga class.
Again, there's plenty of room in the footage for light grading, even though the 1-inch sensor doesn't provide you as much creative freedom in post production as a specialized video camera.
Conclusion on Canon Powershot V10
The Canon PowerShot V10 is, in all honesty, the vlogging camera I have been waiting for. Yes, cameras like the Sony ZV-E1 will be a great asset to more experienced content creators who wish to organize, prepare, and create their material. However, this is a fantastic choice that's genuinely made for the purpose, rather than simply being a standard camera body with all the controls in the incorrect locations, for those who just want to quickly record something for TikTok, go live on Instagram, or shoot a story for Facebook!
The Canon PowerShot V10 is the camera for you if you want it to be as simple to use as a phone and capture excellent images without tinkering with settings or fumbling with lenses. The kickstand eliminates the need for a tripod or any additional equipment, making it simpler and more effective than holding your phone up with whatever is available. Furthermore, it's a lot simpler to set up than using a standard camera to capture video.
I adore using this tiny camera, and I'm eager to see what Canon will accomplish with the lineup going forward.
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| Canon PowerShot V10 sample photo (1/400 sec, f/4.0, ISO125) File taken on a pre-production camera (Image credit: James Artaius) |