New Canon PowerShot V1 rumour tips M43 sensor for upcoming compact video camera

We recently reported on rumours of the upcoming Canon PowerShot V1, which is allegedly going to be a small video-centric compact camera with a fixed zoom lens. Initially, we assumed that, as is the case with the legendary Canon PowerShot G7 X III, the PowerShot V1 would feature a 1-inch sensor, since this is the norm for these sorts of compact cameras. However, new rumours claim that the PowerShot V1 will, instead, be based on a Micro Four Thirds sensor. 

As 43addict reports, it looks like the Canon PowerShot V1 will be based on a 24 MP Micro Four Thirds sensor. It's unclear whether this is referring to effective sensor size or actual sensor size, but effective sensor size would mean it may be using the same sensor as the $1,519.99 Panasonic Lumix G9 II. Using a Micro Four Thirds sensor, however, doesn't necessarily mean that Canon will use the lens mount. It's entirely possible — likely, even — that Canon will stick to the small footprint of something like the Canon PowerShot G7 X III and use a fixed lens, similar to the Panasonic Lumix LX100 II (curr. $1,199 on Amazon) and Leica D-Lux 8. 

To be clear, this rumour is somewhat unexpected, and it would be Canon's first camera to use the Micro Four Thirds sensor, but it isn't impossible, especially given the potential benefits of the larger sensor and the target market. The aforementioned Lumix LX100 II, and its Leica equivalent, crops in on the Micro Four Thirds sensor slightly to accommodate the smaller footprint. While this isn't the best thing for gathering the most amount of light, it enables the interesting Multi-Aspect feature. 

For social media users, the target market for cameras like the PowerShot V1, Multi-Aspect would allow them to use as much of the sensor and lens as possible to shoot in a variety of different aspect ratios without digitally cropping. Canon itself recently said in an investor briefing that it was renewing its focus on the compact camera market precisely because of the popularity of compact cameras with social media influencers.