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If you can get past the supercompact design and reimagined controls, the Canon PowerShot N is a fine point-and-shoot companion for your smartphone.

The Canon PowerShot N packs a neat Creative Shot mode, but it doesn't let you select your favorite filters and its design makes it a frustrating camera with which to shoot.

Build quality is excellent, although image quality leaves a little to be desired in some areas, with a fall off in focus towards the corners of the frame and some noise in the output at higher sensitivities.

The Canon PowerShot N above all appeals as an unusual and original concept ... as well as for its design and its super-small size. But these advantages are also restrictions, and Canon has had to make certain concessions. Still, the N is a fun little camera, and that's already something.

Canon had a good opportunity to create something fun, but misses the mark by a long shot.

Excellent image quality, but the innovative design only brings marginal benefits

All in all, it's designed for fun -- the Creative Shot mode lets you add in a bit of color, while the built-in WiFi and direct connect button enable instant sharing on social media sites, via your smartphone.

We spent a short time with the new Canon Powershot N and found that though it's a little awkward to use because of the square body, it's pretty fun at the same time. As a full time camera, the cute gimmicky form factor is limiting but as a little secondary camera? Definitely a good time.

... with the variable angle screen, pocketable form factor, and unique control ring mechanism, it’s a winner based on my early initial tests, especially for those looking for something with better IQ than their smartphone, but with a lot of the same features and similar portability, too.

The PowerShot N reminds us again that cameras don't necessarily have to follow these conventional lines, and alternative designs can work really well. It may look like it shouldn't work, but it genuinely does.

Canon's PowerShot N isn't your typical point-and-shoot camera. It features a squarish design and very few physical controls—it's a camera that is aimed squarely at photographers who want to take good photos, without having to know the intricacies of photographic technique.

Canon's been bold with the PowerShot N. But perhaps a little bit too bold. Camera ergonomics are there for a reason and, as much as we like companies that explode the norm, the N feels rather odd in the palm.

We know enough about the PowerShot N to tell that it’s not a terrible camera. It’s more like a decent realization of a dumb idea.

If you’re looking for a reason to carry both your smartphone and a standalone camera, the PowerShot N makes a great party shooter and drops neatly into a pocket or purse.

It's an interesting idea, and perhaps something that will genuinely appeal to the left-handers out there, but we found the camera to be quite uncomfortable to use, and we didn't really warm to the strange design even after a lengthy play.

Despite the simplicity of the touchscreen interface and the high build quality, some may find its size and shape makes it a little awkward to hold. This could be a deciding factor for some, but we think there will be others that love it.

As far as we could tell on the snapper’s less than ideal display, some of the Canon PowerShot N captured shots were lacking in strong colour management with the compact unable to correctly balance what were in truth fairly challenging lighting conditions.