PowerShot V1vs A5100
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.
Casual & Travel — A5100 (2014): The A5100 is one of the smallest APS-C mirrorless cameras ever made. Its 24MP sensor, phase-detect AF, and selfie-friendly flip screen pack remarkable capability into a shirt-pocket-sized body. No EVF or hot shoe limits it for serious use, but as a compact travel camera or beginner's first mirrorless, it punches well above its price on the used market.
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
A5100 (2014)
- Beginners stepping up from a smartphone
- Compact travel photographers
- Casual vloggers who want APS-C quality
Quick take: The a5100 has the highest resolution at 24mp; the a5100 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | PowerShot V1 (2025) | A5100 (2014) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £900 | £200 |
| Sensor | 22.3MP 1-inch Stacked CMOS | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 22.3MP | 24.3MP |
| Video | 4K/60p, 1080p/120p | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Dual Pixel CMOS AF with face and subject detection | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection |
| Stabilisation | Optical IS (lens) + electronic stabilisation | None |
| Burst Rate | 20fps (electronic) | 6fps |
| Battery Life | ~270 shots (CIPA) | ~400 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 340g (with battery and card) | 224g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 112.0 × 65.0 × 50.0mm | 109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No |
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.62M dots | 3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots |
| Mount | Fixed Canon zoom lens (equivalent wide-to-tele) | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-II slot | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Micro USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | PowerShot V1 | A5100 |
|---|---|---|
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Travel | ||
| Casual | ||
| Street | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Sports & Action | — |
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