PRONEWS Award 2023 Vol.00

The PRONEWS AWARD – A Lookback on 2023

PRONEWS will award many different technologies in recognition of their work in 2023. 2023 itself was an impressive year. Large-scale exhibitions such as NAB 2023 and IBC 2023 showed growth. InterBEE 2023, which symbolizes the video industry in Japan, ended on a high note. In the past, many new products were released in conjunction with exhibitions, but in recent years they have begun to announce new products on their own.

As shown in the category awards, this year’s trends are diverse, such as “PTZ cameras,” “medium format video,” “generative AI,” and “IP transmission,” but the keywords for the video industry in 2023 are the same as this year’s trends.

What feels especially big this year is the full-scale implementation of AI. The spread of AI, including Chat GPT, which spread in early 2023, is having a major impact on our video industry.

Autofocus, which is equipped with AI-based subject recognition AF, is extremely accurate in order to avoid human error, and even photographers from all walks of life recognize its AF.

AI functionality is starting to be implemented in Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and Media Composer. There will be major benefits in improving work efficiency and saving labor. Considering the speed of this evolution, it may seem extreme, but in the future, there will be no need for even photography. I imagine that.

Now, let’s look back at 2023 in a little more detail.

The Video Industry in 2023

Lets first take a look at the new cameras. For high-end cameras, BURANO was announced as Sony’s cinema camera (actual sales will be in spring 2024, so it’s sad that it wasn’t selected in 2023). The cinema camera BURANO is the first PL mount camera to be equipped with a built-in optical image stabilization mechanism and an electronic variable ND filter at the same time.

Furthermore, RED KOMODO-X implements a global shutter, improves low-light performance and doubles the frame rate, achieving 6K80P and 4K120P. There is no shortage of topics regarding the evolution of cameras.

Probably the most interesting entry in the high-end camera line comes from Fujifilm. Fujifilm has stepped into the world of medium format video with the GFX100 II, which uses a newly developed high-speed sensor and X-Processor 5 that achieves signal readout speeds up to twice that of current models. In 2023, the movements in the high-end video industry will be remarkable.

Vlog Cameras Trending

On the other hand, there is a movement toward higher functionality that even entry models can handle in the world of video production. The popularity of Vlog cameras was remarkable. The Sony ZV-E1, a vlog cam equipped with a full-size sensor, has the same sensor as the α7S III and FX3, but is equipped with “real-time tracking” using AI and S-Cinetone, achieving inexpensive and highly functional specifications.

There is also talk of owning multiple small, lightweight entry-level models equipped with high-performance AF, such as the Canon EOS R8, rather than using one high-end camera.

The increasing functionality of smartphones such as the iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max, which supports log shooting and external SSD recording, cannot be underestimated. In that sense, this year as well, the selection process is full of worries.

The same goes for the lenses you need for your camera. Although the lineup of cinema lenses has tended to be calm in recent years, the momentum of Chinese manufacturers is astounding.

Looking at domestic manufacturers, it is also impressive that Sony, Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm, SIGMA, and Tamron have announced high-quality, new-generation lenses for mirrorless mounts. Looking back at the trends mentioned above, I would like to see what I would like to see in this year’s PRONEWS AWARD.

Trends in the Video Industry

The PRONEWS AWARD is an award that selects the technology, product, service, etc. that has had the most impact on the industry from among the products that will greatly enliven the video industry in 2023, from a PRONEWS unique perspective. The editorial department reviews, selects, and awards winners from the perspectives of technology, marketability, and future potential. What kind of year will 2023 be for the video industry? Let’s look back and summarize in the PRONEWS style as “PRONEWS AWARD 2023.” Basically, it targets products released in 2023.

There are a total of six nomination categories this year: Camera Category, Lens Category, Accessories Category, Lighting Category, Distribution Category, and Video Editing Category.

The top products in each of these six categories will be listed, and the Gold and Silver awards will be announced one after another. And once again, I would like to look back at all the video fields from all categories and select the PRONEWS AWARD grand prize at the end of December based on my own opinion and bias. Please note that PRONEWS will select the winners at its own discretion.

At the end of the year, I would like everyone to take a break and think back to 2023, when many things happened in 2023, and make predictions for each category. We will announce the awards individually. The table below will be updated with the appropriate hyperlinks.