{"id":87406,"date":"2022-08-12T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-08-12T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/?p=87406"},"modified":"2022-08-15T09:38:14","modified_gmt":"2022-08-15T13:38:14","slug":"ptz-cameras","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/ptz-cameras\/","title":{"rendered":"PTZ Cameras: Everything You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Traditional video and stills cameras are usually what comes to mind for most people when talking about cameras, but did you know that there\u2019s a special type of camera available called PTZ cameras<\/strong>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a PTZ Camera?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A PTZ camera, or a Pan-Tilt-Zoom camera, is a camera housed within a motorized enclosure that gives it the ability to P<\/strong>an left to right, T<\/strong>ilt up and down, and Z<\/strong>oom in and out. This allows PTZ cameras to cover a wide field of view. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

PTZ cameras can be remotely controlled by camera operators or automated software, and multiple PTZ cameras can be controlled from a single switcher. This gives a lone camera operator the ability to singlehandedly manage a multi-camera production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When To Use a PTZ Camera<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although the first PTZ cameras<\/strong><\/a> were designed for CCTV and surveillance use, the PTZ camera market has expanded significantly in recent years. Today, PTZ cameras are applicable across many industries in a variety of different applications. Examples include event coverage (sporting events, live concerts, etc.), houses of worship<\/a>, e-learning, live streaming (eSports, conferences, etc.), and even television\/film productions. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Image via Canon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Pros of Using a PTZ Camera<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

PTZ cameras offer a wealth of benefits, including the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reduced Manpower<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Multiple PTZ cameras can be remotely controlled from a single switcher, allowing a single camera operator to easily manage and control all of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unparalleled Access<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Due to their compact footprint, PTZ cameras are ideal for locations that are hard to reach and\/or dangerous for human camera operators to physically operate a traditional camera.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Large Field of View<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

PTZ cameras can cover a large area, with some models being able to pan\/tilt from 0\u00b0 to a full 360\u00b0 pan and 180\u00b0 tilt. Some PTZ cameras can also pan and tilt digitally, allowing editors to adjust videos after recording at a slight cost to fidelity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Impressive Reach<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many PTZ cameras come equipped with lenses with optical zoom ratios of 10x, 20x, 30x, or more. This allows them to view and capture subjects from afar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subject Tracking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some of the more advanced PTZ cameras can even automatically adjust their field of view to track moving objects without the need for an active camera operator.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Image via Canon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

What Features To Look For in a PTZ Camera Depending on Your Use Case<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most PTZ cameras on the market offer plenty of connectivity options. You\u2019ll want to make sure that the camera you\u2019re choosing will suit your particular use case. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will the camera be deployed indoors or outdoors? For the latter, ensure that the PTZ camera you\u2019re using has a sufficient IP weather-resistance rating. You\u2019ll also want to choose a PTZ camera whose field of view can adequately cover the area being monitored. As for outputs, look for SDI (Serial Digital Interface), HDMI, IP (ethernet), USB, and NDI (Network Device Interface) support. Some of the latest PTZ cameras on the market can even be connected, controlled, and powered from just a single ethernet cable. This makes them much easier to deploy and manage compared to older, multi-cable options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best PTZ Cameras<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here are some of the best PTZ cameras currently available on the market that you can pick up from Adorama:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Canon CR-N300 21.1MP 4K Ultra HD 20x PTZ Camera<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n
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The Canon CR-N300 is an entry level PTZ camera<\/a> that produces superb image quality thanks to its powerful 1\/2.3\u201d 4K CMOS sensor and DIG!C DV 6 image processor. The CR-N300\u2019s lens has a 20x optical zoom ratio, giving it a 35mm equivalent focal range of approximately 29.3mm to 601mm and an angle of view of up to 65.6\u00b0. With a variable pan speed of .2\u00b0 to 300\u00b0\/second and variable tilt speed of .2\u00b0 to 170\u00b0\/second, keeping up with the action is child\u2019s play for the Canon CR-N300.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key Features<\/h4>\n\n\n\n