Decision tools · Compare
PowerShot V1 vs A5100
Quick take: The A5100 has the highest resolution at 24MP; the A5100 is the most affordable.
Where the PowerShot V1 wins
- Burst Rate: 20fps (electronic)
- Wedding & Events: 4.8 vs 3.5
- Vlogging & Video: 6.9 vs 4.8
- Documentary: 6.3 vs 4.1
- Casual: 6.0 vs 5.2
Where the A5100 wins
- Cheaper new: £102 vs £859
- Resolution: 24.3MP
- Battery Life: ~400 shots (CIPA)
- Weight: 224g (body only)
- Travel: 6.4 vs 5.9
16 specs side by side·16 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video, Clifton Cameras, MPB, eBay and Amazon UK
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more
Size comparedbody only, no lens · drawn to one scale
- PowerShot V1 112 × 65 × 50 mm · 426 g
- A5100 110 × 63 × 36 mm · 283 g
The A5100 is 2 mm narrower, 2 mm shorter, 14 mm slimmer and 143 g lighter than the PowerShot V1.
Drawn to scale from the makers' dimensions (W × H × D). Front shown, depth on the slanted edge.
Verdictwhich should you buy?
PowerShot V1 — Vlogging & Travel: 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.
A5100 — Casual & Travel: 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)
is the right camera for you if…
- 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)
is the right camera for you if…
- Beginners stepping up from a smartphone
- Compact travel photographers
- Casual vloggers who want APS-C quality
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | PowerShot V1Canon · 2025 | A5100Sony · 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £859 | £102 usedBest |
| Sensor | 22.3MP 1-inch Stacked CMOS | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 22.3MP | 24.3MPBest |
| 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 | No stabilisation |
| Burst Rate | 20fps (electronic)Best | 6fps |
| Battery Life | ~270 shots (CIPA) | ~400 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 379g (body only) | 224g (body only)Best |
| Dimensions | 112.0 × 65.0 × 50.0mm | 109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Not weather sealed |
| Viewfinder | No viewfinder | No viewfinder |
| 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 |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
PowerShot V1
A5100
Portrait
5.7/10
5.4/10
Street
6.6/10
7.0/10
Travel
5.9/10
6.4/10
Wedding & Events
4.8/10
3.5/10
Vlogging & Video
6.9/10
4.8/10
Filmmaking
5.5/10
—
Documentary
6.3/10
4.1/10
Landscape
4.6/10
5.0/10
Casual
6.0/10
5.2/10
Food
6.2/10
5.9/10
Macro
5.3/10
5.2/10
Architecture
5.0/10
5.2/10
Astrophotography
3.4/10
4.7/10
Sports & Action
—
4.7/10
Wildlife
—
5.5/10
Fun & simple
—
4.9/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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