PTZ Camera Review Vol. 1

Attention point 1. Automatic tracking function

The biggest point of interest in the remote camera industry in 2023 is the democratization of automatic tracking functions. When I visited the Kansai Broadcasting Equipment Exhibition held in Osaka in July of this year, I saw a significant increase in the number of PTZ camera models from various companies equipped with automatic tracking functions.

When I tried each company’s remote cameras, I found that each company had its own unique features. I felt that Canon’s approach was slow and gradual, while Sony’s was agile from the start. In addition, I felt that there were good and bad aspects to the automatic tracking functions of each company, from the new photographer level to the veteran photographer level. Still, the automatic tracking function is a very popular feature that is beginning to reach the level of practical use.

There are also likely to be changes in how to obtain the auto-tracking function, with Panasonic selling licenses for its “auto-tracking software key” and Canon selling licenses for its “auto-tracking application,” while Sony’s “SRG-A40,” which was released in June 2023, ” SRG-A12″ has been equipped with a “PTZ auto-framing function” as standard. Both AVITOK and AVer have released models equipped with automatic tracking functionality. We are hopeful that it will become commonplace to have it installed in the main body in the near future.

Attention point 2. Higher image quality of PTZ Cameras

Another point to note is the high image quality of the remote camera. Until a few years ago, the image sensors of remote cameras were generally 1/2.5 inch or 1/2.8 inch sensors, the same as those used in general smartphones, and they were prone to noise when shooting in dark places, and because of the difference in image quality, they were often used with video cameras. It was difficult to mix. However, Canon and Panasonic have recently announced remote cameras equipped with 1-inch sensors, and it is no longer a problem to use them in combination with a video camera. Up until now, photographers and cameras have been installed in the audience seats at real events, but I feel that in the future it is becoming a viable option to replace them with high-resolution models of remote cameras.

Furthermore, Sony released the FR7, an interchangeable lens remote camera equipped with a full-frame sensor. The image quality of the FR7 is outstanding for a PTZ camera, and the impression that “remote cameras have inferior image quality” seems to be becoming a thing of the past.

Attention point 3. Compatible with new protocols and IP network standards such as “SRT” and “ST 2110”

Another trend is support for new protocols and IP network standards. Recently, the number of new remote camera products that are compatible with “SRT” has increased. Regarding “ST 2110,” Panasonic’s “AW-UE160W/K” has become the first in the remote camera industry to be compatible with activation. Although NDI is currently being used as a standard in the industry, it cannot be said that it meets the needs of emphasizing the highest image quality for compressed transmission. In this regard, ST 2110 standardizes compressed and uncompressed transmission. This is attracting attention from production companies seeking the highest possible quality of production. Blackmagic Design also released the “Blackmagic 2110 IP Converter,” and we expect that the number of remote cameras compatible with ST 2110 will increase in the future.