Unsung Cameras of Yesteryear: The Canon Powershot Pro1

Back in 2004, digital photography was all about the megapixel race and finding novel new ways to innovate point & shoots. Canon released the Powershot Pro1 with much fanfare as it was the only Canon compact to sport an L-Series lens. Thankfully, Mike Drew loaned us his Pro1 to test 13 years later, and Chris Niccolls went out to see what features are still compelling, and which are hopelessly out of date.
Shop online at: www.thecameras...
Music provided by BeatSuite.com
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Special thanks to Mike Drew
/ mdrewpix1
Shot and edited by Jordan Drake
Shot on the Panasonic GH5

[@SkylerKing]

I LOVE this series. One of my favorite on all of KZbin, for sure.

[@anaddictwithalens6686]

I was a Home Depot Lot Attendant for 2 and a half years. To see one of my carts, lost alone, in the desolate freezing cold breaks my heart.

[@AbrahamArthemius]

Honestly, i think the picture quality is still good enough for today's standards.. Though mostly only for social media use..

[@MichalT]

Please more story of "Unsung Cameras of Yesteryear". More, more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more... I love it! 😀

[@TomChamberlain]

I love these “Unsung Cameras of Yesteryear:” videos. Don't stop!!

[@EVRLYNMedia]

comments that aged poorly

[@MarcoZhang689]

2004 was 14 years ago?! Waw time flies..

[@schizzlschnitzl]

Marco Zhang it's a lie

[@MrAndreCoutinho]

Fast forward and suddenly 2004 was 20 years ago

[@AsphaltPlanet1]

I really dig the Unsung Camera's of Yesterday videos. Chris' passion for photographer is pretty evident when he is on screen.

[@iSirTaki]

I like this guy and his enthusiasm. He is so authentic. Even i am not much a camera guy, i subscribed this channel!

[@EricRoseBahamas]

I enjoyed the Pro1. I remember shooting a wedding in The Bahamas with that as my main digital camera :) Thanks for the memories.

[@ChrisProuse]

“...and it gets noisy at 100” 😂 Savage review guys. This series always put things into perspective, and makes me laugh! If you ever want a working 2002 2MP Digital IXUS (the original S200 Elph) for review, just let me know.

[@Monomonmamon]

Chris Prouse "2MP" what a beast.

[@feralgrandad4429]

Ha, to funny. So I'm looking at a couple of these on eBay. Just for fun coz in 2004 I REALLY wanted one lol. So I thought I'd maybe get one to take on holiday in March just for the nostalgia. Watched this video, it's a sign coz my holiday is in Alberta! I think will be fun (still taking my Canon DSLR) to play with. Great video, pushed me to get one. Thanks :-)

[@karafuru7666]

The realization that a camera from 2004 still produces great images.

[@adrianv144]

what about videos for vlogs

[@brentschmogbert]

Under perfect conditions even an iPhone 4 will take a nice picture

[@ianrosie4431]

Looks like the good people of Calgary live inside a Vermeer colour palette for the winter. Thanks for doing the Unsung Camera series. I really enjoy them, and it helps fill in the blank space created when my interest in photography had waned, the film gear had been put in a box, and I had a succession of consumer point and shoot digitals.

[@alexbalansay]

'Hipster's Paradise' was a beautiful shot :)

[@steamhackman]

Delighted to see this series continue, definitely my favorite from the channel and one of the best overall!

[@jlwilliams]

Worth watching just for the faux-rally SAAB 96 at about 6:25. Plus a nice reminder of the crappy stuff we had to put up with early in the digital era.

[@AlexandraStarr1974]

Love this series, though my unsung hero of yesteryear would be the HP Photosmart 435, i bought it in 2002, it was my first digital camera after using Canon 35mm film cameras, a measly 3.1MP compact point and shoot, about the size of a bar of Snickers. It was basic, very basic, full auto. I downloaded adobe photoshop onto my huge desktop pc, and played with it for hours and hours, i had a feeling 35mm film would come to an end, so after a while i bought the canon 350D when it came onto market, a whopping 8mp, which back then was more than good enough, but looking back even the 350d was a dinosaur really, terrible noise, not that fast AF, but the HP will always have a special place in my heart, it was my introduction to digital and i never once looked back! Thanks for such a great video, i really do like this series a lot!

[@elderinmoi1571]

awesome video series. so much fun. thanks for putting so much effort into it. much appreciated.

[@zippo4059]

A camera that survived Mike Drew?! Unbelievable. Go for more unsung cameras of yesterday!

[@jonrutherford6852]

Enjoying very mcuh this series of appreciations of "older" technology, failed or smash-success designs, limitations and strengths... There's something noble about this kind of assessment, and I can only say, "Well done!" and ... thanks.

[@MarkWick]

I used my PowerShot Pro 1 just a couple of days ago. This review is spot on. I do love the feel of the camera. When I bought it, other professional photographers told me it is impossible to shoot sports with it. Two days after I got it I took it to Indianapolis Motor Speedway where I have covered the Indianapolis 500 for 26 years. It was late April and several 500 entrants were participating in an earl test. I was still learning how to use the camera. Abut 90 minutes after I got there, Alex Barron crashed into the outside wall exiting Turn 1. There was no spin, he just ran too wide and pounded the wall. I recorded a perfectly frames, perfectly focused shot of the flash of flame as his magnesium wheels exploded against the concrete wall. Just a few days ago I came across still images and videos I recorded with the camera at another April test sever or eight years ago. It is much more difficult to use for sports than the SLRs I was used to, but I was able to use it successfully at the track and at professional basketball games.

[@dr.alihanoosh5763]

Nice video as always. Love the nostalgic feeling that comes with these old cameras. Would love to see a video comparing current bridge cameras in the market though some might think they’re heading towards extinction but they still serve a purpose to my needs. Thanks.

[@xoio]

I remember my Pro1, loved it! .. & when it got it right.. is got it right.. tack sharp & vibrant.

[@joeaddison]

I absolutely love this series, I hope you keep making them!

[@a1exsand]

Says he only shoots at f/2.4 then proceeds to show picture at f/3.4 😂

[@wal]

Great "retro" review! I had an early Minolta Dimage 5 (3.1MP) and it would not focus properly. I returned it and got the Olympus C-2100UZ (only 2.1MP, but a fantastic 10x optical zoom). Keep these vids coming, might be cool to name one "my first digital camera" and compare your first camera vs. Jordan's. I had a Nikon Coolpix 800 (1999) and loved it outdoors...indoor photos were horrific though!

[@logtothebase2]

I had one, got some great images. It was very well sized and speced, It was easy to cary all the time, the 200mm zoom was fast enough to use at low ISO in good light.

[@hqiu6828]

I had it, later I upgraded and sold it, now I miss it. This Pro1 video puts me in such a reminiscent mood .

[@LiaoK]

I wish modern cameras had ISO 50.

[@AlexandraStarr1974]

I'm with you on this one, my fuji goes from ISO 200 onwards, would love ISO 50!

[@Theytoldmetodoit1]

I agree. Even my Samsung S8 has ISO 50

[@AlexandraStarr1974]

Even the classic ISO 64 would do!

[@funfunfun536]

At least Sony cameras do have an extended ISO range (whatever it means :) ) started from 50. May be canikon also have something similar.

[@LiaoK]

It's not real ISO 50 though. You lose a stop of highlight dynamic range.

[@BokorRider]

"Shooting Bunnies in the raw".......raw cold winter weather that is (not a quote from the video a thought ,alone, in my head)

[@mrlurchAU]

I still have my first DSLR, a Pentax K100d. Still love it.

[@gotopcpanik]

I used a Olympus Camedia C-8080 Wide Zoom an a C-40Zoom at this time. Great Cameras. And those cameras of that time support a IR Remote! Missing that. It was so simple and easy.

[@ckm-mkc]

Had one of those as well, used it with a flash and a snoot, worked awesome for parties.

[@achimschillings1349]

I hope you guys keep on to make videos about these "old" digital cameras - time flies - Nikon D70 & D200, Konica-Minolta Maxxum/Dynax 7D, Olympus E-1 and Canon Eos 10D are on my wish list...

[@Martin.Christopher]

These are some of my favorite vids on the internet.

[@vision-gc4hy]

Loved my Pro 1. I had no complaints. It was badass. I had the D70 at the same time.

[@caltetm1891]

This was my camera for some years which accompanied me around the world until it was stolen in a break in at home. The flip screen was great and help me to overcome my shyness in street photography. If I remember correctly it was quite expensive like a fullframe camera today , but I loved it so much.

[@hydrox24]

Fantastic stuff, I've been waiting for another episode in this series!

[@ReginaldEsque]

We need more Unsung Cameras episodes

[@nigelwang2447]

These are some of my favorite videos. I would love to see more film cameras like the F4 episode!

[@aaronthompson2682]

Always look forward to these episodes!

[@AndreSB43]

Good video! I got my first digital camera at the end of 2003, it was a Samsung Digimax V4 with 4 megapixels and a 3x Schneider-kreuznach lens. I got it recommended by a photographer who told me that 3.2 megapixels (as the Canon Ixus had at that time) was getting outdated and that 4 mp was the way to go. It took great photos and still work today. Since you mentioned the S2 IS I used to have the S3 IS which also was a great camera.

[@KSliauderis]

Thanks guys. my most loved camera of yesteryear is fujifilm S9100/9600 series. of course now, image quality isn't good, but back then it was great.. sure no image stabilization hurt but overall operation was extraordinary..

[@austinhydroax]

This was a really awesome flashback to yesteryear. You couldnt have done a better job with this review. Thank you!

[@trembichmovingmoments8778]

I love these videos :-) makes me want to buy random old cameras on eBay :-D

[@SDK2006b]

The Pro1 launched as I was getting into photography and my choice at the time was this or the Canon 10D. I went for the 10D and was happy with that choice given the quality difference.

[@ThePhotographyHobbyist]

Bunnies...that's a cute problem to have :-)

[@iamWing0w0]

Haven't watched the full video yet, but absolutely love the intro. It's mint!

[@nicholasberardo4699]

This series is fun, thanks, Jordan. Have you guys done one of those body twisting Nikons? I remember those. Oh, thanks, Chris 😂

[@RickMentore]

Fantastic! This video lets newbies like myself see how fortunate we are to have present cameras and also not to get caught up in the latest gear race. No need to apologize, I rather like the 8mp shots.

[@stevegriffin1535]

Dug mine out of the closet for some use last week. Took a while to get familiar with it again. On a bright day I don't notice any noise at iso 100 and On1 denoise and, even better, Topaz AI makes the 200 and 400 shots look sharp and noise free.

[@galleryss]

My buddy loves his old Pro-one but its day has sadly passed!

[@PSzlazak]

Proud owner of Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200 here! Have to check batteries, but it should be still working. Even if batteries are dead, it was same battery as Nikon EN-EL1, so it should be easy to find replacement. The only problem is that I'm located in Poland/Europe. Buy I would be proud to make it a star of one of episodes of Unsung Cameras of Yesteryear series :-)

[@AndreVautour]

Haha I got one of these for christmas when I was like 15 I loved it and used for for 4+ years. Still have it.

[@Bernzini]

That was my first digital camera! Nice colors but extremely slow AF!

[@OAlBraun]

This cam has amazing CCD colors))

[@tomaskonkol8894]

Thats was my dream camera back days and lite bit expensive side but i bought it year after and was in the love. Very nice memories.

[@leGrand-Nord]

For the longest time I used the Canon Powershot G1 , I bought in 2000, and although it had only 3 megapixels , it followed me up until I switched to my first DSLR My Canon EOS10D which was used (at the time ) but it doubled my megs to 6MP.

[@Scratchen2]

I'd love to see a shoot out between the Olympus C-8080 WZ and the Minolta Dimage A2, the two biggest competitors to the Pro-1!

[@AgnostosGnostos]

Great memories

[@xmeda]

Check old Casio QV-R40.. 2004 camera also, but operates so fast, zero shutter lag, focuses faster than many modern cameras today, that lens it had was so contrasty.... and with "bestshot" editable on PC you could use it even in manual mode unlike many small compacts from that era.

[@efitzsmith]

My fave cam!

[@echt114]

That period of time was one of the most interesting in digital camera history. It was actually exciting when new models were released because there was usually some real improvement. Large numbers of people seemed interested in better quality and they wanted better cameras and bigger monitors to view the pics on. Now that photo quality is much better, the moron segment of society is choosing to view everything on tiny screens. When the Pro 1 came out, there were about four other 8mp models released by other brands. One thing I remember is that on the dpreview forums people were refering to them as "8 megapixel noisemakers."

[@georgiosvoulgaris1551]

Very interesting video. I have an old DSLR Pentax k20d from 2008. It's weather resistance, made like a tank, it has in body stabilisation, no dust and some profesional goodies but no video. I also shoot with a Canon film camera and with a new panasonic gx80 (or gx85). sorry for my English.

[@docchocobo]

That was one thing about back in those days. You were hard pressed to find a camera that didn't eat batteries like candy. I always had high capacity AA NiMH salved the problems for the most part.

[@charoui]

That SAAB 96 looks sweeet

[@robertvarner9200]

My Nikon D70 still works (battery still takes a charge). It has seen a lot of abuse (sort of like me). I use it for bad weather photography. Alberta, Canada looks as dreary as northern New Jersey (near NYC) where I live (also damn cold). We have a cat problem here as opposed to your rabbit problem. Happy 2018...(still feels like 1968 to me).

[@artsyaidan]

Ayy I used that camera for about 3 years now. Just finally upgraded last week. Gotta say, in the right lighting it was really solid.

[@Pro1er]

The Minolta was the best overall of the three. The Canon had the best colors, (probably because of the L lens), and had a great feel in the hands, but you had no other choice than to shoot at ISO 50 because of the noise. The Sony could have been one of the best bridge cameras ever made if Sony hadn't rushed it to market. The lens produced horrendous purple fringing, and like all of the 8MP cameras of the day the noise even at ISO 200 was unacceptable. I almost never used my Pro1s but often used/use my F828s. I always loved the split-body cameras and the F5**, F7** and F828, (I own them all), were some of the best cameras ever to hand-hold. One camera you didn't talk about was the 8MP Olympus C-8080 which was actually the best of the lot, but it didn't have the zoom reach of the other cameras mentioned, (28 - 140 mm equiv.).

[@robbquinnimaging4321]

Still have my Sony 828. May take it out soon and play with! Thanks for making these guys!

[@kennethdickinson2591]

A camera from 2004 is definitely NOT what I was expecting when I saw the title “Cameras From Yesteryear.” I was expecting to see something 40+ years old, not something made as recently as my kid.

[@andrewbeasley]

Love the bunny problem. As for the lens and battery life - it still exists. I’ve found leaving my LUMIX and Sony compacts on all the time (with the evf on but screen off) gives me longer time and more shots as the lens is not retracting every time I’m done and then having to extend again to be used!

[@bachmannmanuel1562]

Good viedo, i like those "unsung Cameras of yesteryear" line.... like to see more of these.. (i also have a old Sony F707)

[@bird271828]

Very nice opening. I loved it.

[@Verdoux007]

How fitting that I decided to try out my "old" Canon S120 today and was surprised how good the image quality was compared to my smartphone.

[@williamstanford1934]

I still have my pro 1 and use it if I go for walks and sharing on social media 👍

[@albertdl5795]

Very cool. How about the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 for a future video? Might be an interesting comparison to their modern micro 4/3 counterparts

[@greyowl750]

I have one, they can use it orrr my old dusty Olympus E-1.

[@albertdl5795]

OMG this should totally happen! :D

[@ckm-mkc]

I had one, it was an incredible camera - the lens had lieca clarity.

[@Monkey_D_Cluffy]

should do it on the canonet ql17iii one of the best lil cheap rangefinders ever to be had!

[@Theytoldmetodoit1]

I still have my old Pro 1. Admittedly it has seen better days and the batteries do not hold a charge. But it still works...and my lens is actually cleaner than the one you used :)

[@lenkapenka6976]

The design aesthetic was nailed back in 1989 with the EOS-1 and by 2004 the EOS 1D series design was near perfection within the constraints of the technology (screen etc.), but for compact cameras I agree to an extent, guess the same went with mobile phones of that period, however 2021 compact cameras outside the high end are dead. never to return, and now mostly look the same!

[@MuhaSore]

My friend has a sony that has 1 megapixel and it runs on a disquette. It was used on the 90s. It's still running, but the battery does not run long enough to take a picture hahaha.If you guys are interested maybe we can make an unsung video. The problem is: The camera is in Brazil lol

[@biggoofybastard]

Living in Edmonton, I completely understand the yellow/brown issue. Too bad Calgary doesn't have something like a national park an hour away.

[@ettorechiereguini4193]

I remember last year when I was there, and the day I was going to make a visit to you guys at the TCS I saw a bunny and a squirrel fighting over something. I thought 'what a nice weird place I am'. After that it was bunnies all over the place. noice

[@macht4turbo]

So, you don't like sunshine and autumn colors? We can switch places and you can experience some grey on grey here in cologne, in December we did not have a single hour of sunshine :)

[@KentJohnson123]

Well I loved mine and what I loved was that it was so small and had OK image quality (for the time). Super sluggish focus speed was for me one of the biggest drawbacks. That said; I watching this today because I'm re-editing a shot from 2006; it was scaled up for exhibition and still look great; and with my new editing skills and MUCH better monitor, it is looking even better. Cost a fortune and met it's end when it fell out of my back pack onto the pavement. Lens refused to come out and was not worth the cost of repair.

[@traintrambus]

Delightful video, I regularly use my Nikon D80 which I enjoy using. As a still photographer I would love a camera without the video feature like the very expensive Nikon DF. A budget version of that would be very welcome. That's my six penny's worth. Thanks.

[@radiozelaza]

I'm still using Minolta DiMage A2 from 2004 with a polarizing filter screwed on for landscape and telephoto shots, in RAW of course

[@androo4519]

I loved my Pro1 and lugged it to Canada from the UK many years ago. The battery died during a helicopter flight over Niagara Falls... Those photos (the ones I managed to get) still hold up today though. The lens was great. But Chris is right about pretty much all the faults. One thing not mentioned here is the great super macro mode. Also not mentioned is that in RAW mode there was no proper preview image so you couldn't check for focus accuracy - RAW previews were just a blocky mess. Luckily jpegs were great. And there was nothing better at the time really.

[@dantecoco9528]

I love that shot at 6:51

[@noelo2k9]

Big fan of these videos. Could you please review in a future episode the Canon Powershot S3 IS. This was my 1st "fancy" portable digital camera back in 2006. It was a great little camera. I still use it at ISO 80 with a softlightbox and 2 light setup for eBay photos. It has a great zoom lens, fast and sharp. The only things missing were a hot shoe and RAW file support .

[@michelangeloc.4265]

Looks nice

[@Warioda]

Wait a minute! WHERE IS THE SNOW???

[@robertvarner9200]

Mario Pierre Yes! Where is the snow? We have snow in New Jersey!! Will someone make the cold go away!!!

[@MarkHolloway]

I live only 90 miles north of the Camera Store. I am wondering the same!! I have had enough of the snow

[@AndySnap]

Fun video, amazing you got anything through that lens, but I like the camera's well used look. I remember the Pro1 being quite a desirable digital compact back in the day, with quite advanced and useful spec for the time. Now it looks like that design grew up to become the Lumix G9...?! Other cameras worth a video review might be the Ricoh GRd, and/or GX100 (with that add on EVF of spectacularly lo-res), and a Nikon Coolpix 900...?

[@AnaloguePhoto]

Would be interesting to see a Yesteryear look at the Olympus C-5060 WZ, a cheaper version of the Olympus C-8080, which was a 8 Mpix competitor to the Canon Powerwhot Pro 1. I actually saw a youtube video about a guy who used two of the C-5060's for professional shooting, since the camera was so slow at cycling for another shot.

[@TheMikeharris7]

I got bit by the old camera bug recently lol. Just bought one of these, a Nikon 8800 and Nikon 8400. Unfortunately I get about 5 shots out of the battery that came with the camera lol. Fortunately replacement batteries are readily available and not too expensive so that is good. Have some arriving tomorrow. That was NOT the case with the Nikons - the batteries and chargers are quite rare and expensive. I have to admit the picture quality was impressive though. So far as I can tell though the Canon doesn't shoot RAW which is a bummer.

[@stephen-wahl]

Feral bunny 🐇 problem indeed... Hadnt been to Calgary in decades and went with the choral group and we stayed at St Mary's University campus and the number of bunnies there I was astonished. I wondered where were the coyotes? Nope just seems like bunnies, lots and lots of bunnies.

[@kleinschmitt93]

Someday you should review a Canon 5d Mk I.

[@chedleicester535]

I still use a dslr from the same year as my main camera...

[@MichaelTakchuk]

because it's not the gear that do the diffrance it's the photographer.. i've seen this episode with joel marklund that he used a toy camera and shot some skaters at the park and the photos were incredible.. i think it was on digitalrevtv channel it really shows you how much the photographer makes a difference not the camera

[@michaeldickson9876]

I had the Olympus C-8080 wide zoom which was in direct competition. I purchased it in late 2004 and J&R for 1000 and sold it 5 years later for $600.00

[@WhiskyCanuck]

If you haven't done so yet, a camera of yesteryear worth looking at is the Pentax Spotmatic - first SLR for a generation... though I guess that would be a "sung" camera of yesteryear.

[@gravymonsterr]

Review the D70! 👍

[@TheCameraStoreTV]

That was a very, very sung camera! It would be fun though. I think it was Chris' first DSLR. Jordan @ TCSTV

[@sebastiento9695]

aah i remember having a super awesome 2MP Samsung point and shoot back in 2002 :')