Compact cameras have seen quite a surge in recent years. With more people finding compact cameras a better option than investing in a full frame camera, companies such as Canon are trying to fill the obvious gap. While you have models such as Ricoh GR IV and PowerShot V1, it may still not be enough. So, here’s a look at what you can expect in 2026.
Additional reporting provided by Editor in Chief Chris Gampat.
According to Canon Rumors, the company may introduce three new compact cameras before the end of this year. This report follows a recent “future products” meeting between Canon sales representatives and retail partners. Although the company has not yet confirmed anything, this proves that compact cameras are a part of the company’s future.
Canon may launch three new PowerShot cameras in 2026. This includes two higher-end models and one aimed at the mass market.
While three are confirmed, the order of their launch is not yet revealed. However, there are some possibilities. For instance, Canon may introduce a superzoom Powershot, just like Nikon’s P1000 series. The latter introduced a new model in 2025, which was odd given that their last bridge compact camera was introduced back in 2018. This fixed-lens camera offers a 24-3000mm focal range, making it a good choice for birding enthusiasts or travel aficionados. Canon doesn’t have one such offering yet, and if it were introduced, it could certainly help photographers more.
The next is a new successor to the G7X series. The company already announced that it will introduce a limited edition of G7X III, but it appears that the company may launch a different model. This will feature a constant aperture and include better lens correction, among other things. A compact camera with a fast aperture across the zoom range can be interesting. Moreover, this can work better for those who vlog or are into hybrid assignments.
Another camera that the company may launch is a new PowerShot ELPH, which will be cost-effective and likely to come with simple features for the masses. The ELPH lineup has historically been priced between $150 and $300 and sits between smartphones and APS-C cameras. It is a good option for Gen Z photographers who want a dedicated camera for day-to-day use.
Sony is another company that introduced a camera, but its compact device was a luxury device. So if Canon introduces something soon, it could try to give Kodak, Nikon, and Fujifilm a run for their money. This news is exciting, overall, especially since the camera market has hit a plateau. It also means that one can make photographs while having fun.
Something that photographers have really wanted from Canon is a serious compact that can take on something like what Sony did with the RX1R Mk III. And what Canon had was the G1X series. We truly hope that Canon brings this back more than anything else. To this day, we get emails about how incredible that camera is.