I was looking for a lightweight and useful camera to take good photos while traveling in the southern United States.

There were many times when my smartphone was not enough, and the Canon PowerShot V1 felt like a 'game changer' that perfectly fit my bucket list.

The first impression of the PowerShot V1 is that it is 'portable and has an amazing angle.' The 16–50mm (35mm equivalent) ultra-wide zoom lens is sufficient to capture wide landscapes with just an outstretched hand, and I could comfortably take pictures of the serene sunrise by the Mississippi River or the cozy interior of a nearby café.

Moreover, the unique distortion of the ultra-wide lens was not very noticeable when shooting in 16:9 aspect ratio, and it received a review from DPReview studio tests stating, "The corners are slightly soft, but the output is sufficiently detailed," making it satisfying in real use.

The core of this camera is undoubtedly the 1.4-inch, approximately 22.3MP sensor.

With an area twice that of the existing 1-inch sensor, I found that even shooting at low ISO in Jackson's hazy humidity, the image detail and dynamic range were much more satisfying.

Thanks to the DIGIC X processor and Dual Pixel CMOS AF II system, the eye detection AF works well, capturing street portraits, pet photos, and all the spontaneous moments encountered during travel clearly.

There were many moments I wanted to capture on video, and the PowerShot V1 seemed to understand that desire.

4K 30p allows unlimited recording, and 4K 60p is possible with a 1.4× crop, but the amazing part was the built-in cooling fan.

Even in hot weather, the camera held up during recording, which was really reassuring. Plus, with the built-in ND filter, I could create cinematic videos while color correcting.

It's important to have a camera that is easy to hold with one hand while taking pictures on a bus during travel or on a café terrace, right?

The V1 offers a deep grip and intuitive operation, making it easy to find and shoot with.

Thanks to the good grip and the full touch screen on the back, I could freely take selfies or vlogs, and the intuitive screen operation kept the shooting flow uninterrupted.

Of course, there are downsides. The camera is larger and heavier than the G7X, making it difficult to slip into a pants pocket, and it lacks a viewfinder and is not dust or water-resistant, and the operation dial is smooth, which can be inconvenient for fine adjustments.

Also, while the ultra-wide angle is a strength, there are some limitations for portrait or telephoto shooting. I read reviews that mentioned carrying the V1 allowed for capturing street, environment, portrait, and food photos, increasing the frequency of shooting due to the freedom of composition and portability.

By the banks of the Mississippi River, during small gatherings with hometown friends, and while exploring hidden gems in Jackson, the PowerShot V1 is not small but sufficiently portable, with a wide angle, large sensor, and video capabilities that respond immediately, making it a true content companion.

For someone like me, who values capturing moments without missing them while carrying lightweight gear over heavy and complex equipment, this camera was just perfect.

The price is around $900, but it definitely delivers value for that price.