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This will be the year that Canon releases new PowerShot cameras with photographers in mind. Yes, they'll still have the video features, but don't expect the next batch of cameras to resemble the PowerShot V1.
I don't expect to see any PowerShot announcements until late August at the earliest ahead of the Q4 shopping season. I think there's some other camera coming first.
“All-New” Sensor
The next “flagship” PowerShot camera will reportedly have an all-new sensor. Canon won't be re-using the 1.4″ sensor that is found in the PowerShot V1. I'm not sure what “flagship” means other than the most expensive in the lineup.
The new sensor will be smaller than 1.4″, but will be “more advanced”, which could mean a bunch of different things. I suspect Canon will use the sensor across multiple PowerShot cameras, and a smaller sensor helps with the overall compactness of a fixed lens camera.
Sensor Size Comparisons
The sensor in the PowerShot V1 measures 1.4″, which is the largest of the current PowerShot cameras. The 7-year-old PowerShot G7 X Mark III uses a 1″ sensor. There are thoughts that the 1.4″ sensor in the V1 is the same sensor cut down to size that we have in the R7, or some close variation of it anyway.
A bigger sensor? Canon did put an APS-C sized sensor in the G1 X Mark III, but I don't see that happening again.
If I had to guess, the “all-new” sensor will be a 1″ BSI stacked sensor made by Canon. There have been a lot of advancements in sensor performance since Canon launched such a sensor in the PowerShot G7 X Mark III.
I don't think this will be a problem as far as image quality, ISO performance, readout speed and all of the other metrics we love to talk about.
I can hear some moans about the sensor size prediction, but I don't think Canon is getting back into compact cameras to attract 5 series shooters, they're coming back to bridge the gap between the smartphone and the interchangable lens camera system.
Canon's return to the segment isn't about their legacy shooters, it's about getting new customers into the brand.
That said, a lot of you know you're going to buy one no matter the sensor size.
A Large Sensor PowerShot?
It's possible that Canon will bring a large sensor PowerShot down the road, I just don't think we'll see one for the “re-launch” of the nameplate. They'll release a camera or two from the onset that will be at the right price point for mass appeal. I don't mean sub-$500, they'll be somewhere closer to $800-$1000.
Models to Expect
I think it's a logical expectation that Canon will announce something like the G7X series along with a superzoom like the SX series. Putting the same “all-new” sensor in both cameras.
Beyond the “all-new” sensor information, there hasn't been much else about the next round of PowerShot cameras. I do think Canon is putting real resources behind what's coming for the line and they're going to be great cameras.
And Canon for heavens sake it MUST HAVE an EVF!
They're again too late to the compact-camera-trend party, and as always, they'll deliver the bare minimum instead of anything revolutionary.
I bet it's gonna be a lukewarm G7XIII upgrade with a Digic X processor, and I bet they've been testing how much they can charge with this G7X graphite special edition. So it's gonna cost at least $1,299.
Personally, I would've preferred to see the sensor of the Powershot V1 getting used again with the lens of the G1X Mark II. But I guess stinginess is the new black. So we gotta pay more for less.
- Sony … 470,000 units
- Canon … 430,000 units
- Fujifilm … 130,000 units
- Ricoh … 60,000 units
Incidentally, 8% is the same margin by which #2 Sony was behind #1 Canon in mirrorless ILC sales that year.Party on!