Canon Launches Vlogging Point-and-Shoot

2023.05.11

Today Canon introduced their own take on the vlogging camera concept with their first point-and-shoot model in 7 years! No manufacturer has taken on this market since it is in direct competition with ubiquitous cellphones.

The Canon Powershot V10 launched today is more similar to an Action Camera like a Go Pro than any usual camera with zero controls for photography and some for video. This is the first digital camera among over a thousand launched that does allow Exposure-Compensation and one of the rare ones to only support Auto ISO in photo mode. For video, the Canon V10 supports ±3 EV in 1/3 stops and sensitivity to be set in the ISO 125-6400 range, except for 4K video where the maximum is ISO 3200.

A fixed wide-angle lens with bright F/2.8 maximum aperture captures an ultra-wide viewing-angle, equivalent to an 18mm or 19mm lens, depending on the mode. Behind it is a 20 megapixels 1" BSI CMOS sensor which gets cropped to 15 MP for stills and 13 MP in video, which is about the resolution required for Ultra-HD. Such video is supported up to 30 FPS, while 1080p can be recorded at 60 FPS and streamed directly from the camera.

Canon made this camera with a completely new and unique design specifically for self-facing capture. A large record button at the front is the clearest indicator, while its rear screen tilt over to be visible from above the lens. A builtin stand extends to allow the V10 to be self-supporting. The 2" LCD on this camera is the smallest among digital cameras but is typical of action cameras. The top of the camera offers a stereo microphone that records 16-bit sound at 48 Khz.

The defining feature of the Canon Powershot V10 is its unusally form. It is a simple point-and-shoot camera with more restrictions that a cellphone. Not only does it not allow control over ISO and EC, it only performs single-shot autofocus, only offers multi-segment metering and lacks a flash or support for an external one. Video does not require these but this is clearly not a camera for photography.

Canon expects to ship the Powershot V10 in mid-June for $430 USD. Both B&H Photo and Adorama are ready to take preorders.

• Digital Camera