PowerShot V1vs Now Gen 3
Polaroid
Now Gen 3 (2024)
Starting from £120 new
Best for Classic Polaroid fans & square-print lovers
View Now Gen 3
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Vlogging & Travel — PowerShot V1 (2025): The PowerShot V1 is Canon's best compact camera — a 1-inch stacked sensor, Dual Pixel CMOS AF, 4K/60p, built-in ND, and an articulating screen in a pocketable body. It is the compact camera Canon's content-creator audience has been waiting for, and a genuine step forward over the G7X series.
Classic Polaroid Fans & Square-Print Lovers — Now Gen 3 (2024): The definitive modern Polaroid. Autofocus, USB-C, and full-sized square prints — classic Polaroid experience, updated for today.
Who should buy what
PowerShot V1 (2025)
- Content creators who want Canon's best compact for vlogging and social media
- Travel photographers who want 4K and a zoom lens in one pocketable body
- Vloggers upgrading from G7X series who want better AF and video specs
- Photographers who want a capable compact backup body
Now Gen 3 (2024)
- Anyone who wants the classic full-sized square Polaroid print experience
- Instax users who prefer Polaroid's dreamy colour palette and white border
- Party hosts and event photographers who want iconic-looking keepsakes
- Previous Polaroid Now owners upgrading to the Gen 3's improved autofocus
Quick take: The now gen 3 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | PowerShot V1 (2025) | Now Gen 3 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £900 | £120 |
| Sensor | 22.3MP 1-inch Stacked CMOS | i-Type / 600 Polaroid film (79 × 79mm / image area 62 × 62mm) |
| Resolution | 22.3MP | — |
| Video | 4K/60p, 1080p/120p | N/A — instant film camera |
| Autofocus | Dual Pixel CMOS AF with face and subject detection | Autofocus (0.4m–2m close; 2m–∞ landscape) |
| Stabilisation | Optical IS (lens) + electronic stabilisation | N/A |
| Burst Rate | 20fps (electronic) | N/A |
| Battery Life | ~270 shots (CIPA) | Rechargeable internal battery (USB-C, ~15 packs) |
| Weight | 340g (with battery and card) | ~445g |
| Dimensions | 112.0 × 65.0 × 50.0mm | 138.2 × 112.6 × 62.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No |
| Viewfinder | None | Real-image optical viewfinder |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.62M dots | N/A |
| Mount | Fixed Canon zoom lens (equivalent wide-to-tele) | i-Type or 600 film (8 shots per pack) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-II slot | N/A — instant film only |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C (charging) |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | PowerShot V1 | Now Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Casual | — | |
| Street | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Landscape | — | |
| Parties & Events | — | |
| Everyday | — | |
| Low Light | — | |
| Creative | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
More comparisons with PowerShot V1
Camera family history