Thanks to their pan, tilt and zoom capabilities and the fact that they can be controlled remotely, PTZ cameras are perfect for a wide range of applications. In an era when video production is rapidly changing, Canon has released four 4K PTZ cameras to date – the Canon CR-N500, CR-N300, CR-X500 and CR-X300 – and is continuing to grow the range with more system tools.
"The PTZ cameras we have introduced are flexible solutions expanding Canon's video product range, meeting the changing demands of remote production and video streaming," says Canon Europe product manager Matthew Koshy. "They can be used in simple standalone set-ups or in a large-scale production environment as agnostic cameras that can integrate into all types of existing and new systems."
The PTZ cameras build on Canon's heritage of imaging and optical excellence. They feature advanced sensor, processor, optical and precision control technologies evolved over the decades Canon has been developing professional camcorders, lenses and acclaimed cinema systems.
They also include powerful practical features such as advanced autofocus technology and flexible control protocols and interfaces, enabling camera operators not only to adjust a PTZ camera's orientation and zoom remotely, but also fine-tune picture quality and other camera settings. This means there is an incredibly broad range of potential applications for Canon's PTZ cameras – everything from broadcast, live production and live events to higher education and corporate use.
This solution is invaluable especially in today's world because you don't need as many people to be present to create content. Indeed, a single operator can control multiple Canon PTZ cameras remotely from a single desk, making it possible to record an event or broadcast a multi-viewpoint livestream without having to be physically present.
Canon is further expanding the versatility of the CR-N500, CR-N300 and CR-X300 with the release of Webcam Driver. This free-of-charge¹ software makes it possible to use all three of these PTZ cameras as webcams via LAN, enabling high-quality 4K 30p livestreaming over infinitely long cable runs. You can download Webcam Driver from June 2022.