Canon's next-generation PTZ cameras

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.

Exceptionally, all the Canon PTZ cameras support 4K UHD resolution as standard, with 4K optics to ensure high imaging quality. With more Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) supporting 4K UHD streaming, as well as 4K becoming standard in broadcast workflows, Canon's solutions deliver the image quality and immersive experience today's viewers expect.

Drawing on Canon's expertise in pro video and cinema cameras, the PTZ cameras incorporate proven focusing systems for flexibility and speed of focusing: Hybrid AF in the CR-X300 and CR-N300, and Canon's industry-renowned Dual Pixel CMOS AF in the CR-N500 and CR-X500. The latter features Face Detection and Tracking AF, which helps ensure subjects are always in focus, plus Touch AF for increased control.

As a robust outdoor PTZ camera that delivers 4K UHD resolution and IP streaming, the CR-X300 breaks new ground for the PTZ market. Its 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor and 20x optical zoom deliver exceptional image quality, and its support for a range of control protocols mean that it's easy to integrate the CR-X300 into an existing remote camera setup.

Like the CR-X300, the CR-N500 and CR-N300 support RTMP/RTMPS (Real-Time Messaging Protocol and Real-Time Messaging Protocol Secure). This protocol enables content to be shared directly to platforms such as YouTube and Facebook, making it incredibly easy for anyone to live stream to one of these platforms.

Both PTZ cameras also support NDI|HX², RTP/RTSP and the new Canon XC Protocol. NDI|HX² is the industry standard for broadcast applications, as it enables the camera not only to deliver the content but also to be controlled via this same protocol.

Canon's Webcam Driver software release for the CR-N300, CR-N500 and CR-X300 brings additional features to this trio of PTZ cameras. With the software installed on a Windows PC, it's possible to put the CR-N500, CR-N300 or CR-X300 to work as a remote camera for video conferencing or livestreaming. The driver enables the Canon PTZ cameras to be automatically detected on a network, with up to five cameras able to be registered with different names, video formats and output resolutions.

"It makes for a seamless set-up and allows your meetings and streams to get up and running quickly," says Matthew. "Using a combination of a LAN cable and Webcam Driver, it's possible to output in up to 4K 30p, so you can achieve exceptionally high-end image quality, subject to the video conferencing application that's being used."

The ability to use LAN with Webcam Driver opens up new opportunities for higher education, places of worship and corporate settings. Unlike a USB cable, a LAN cable can be used to pass the signal over very long runs – up to 100 metres with a single cable, and technically an unlimited distance if multiple cables are joined together with LAN switch boxes.

"For example, you might want to install a PTZ camera in a university lecture theatre," Matthew suggests, "but you may be dealing with a 300-seat auditorium that could be 20-40 metres in length. A LAN connection allows PTZ cameras to be positioned anywhere in the venue. All you have to do is make sure that the cameras are connected via LAN cables to the same network as the computer that's being used for the lecture."

Events, education, worship and even everyday office attendance were hugely impacted during the Covid-19 pandemic, and content creators have had to adapt to remote workflows accordingly.

PTZ cameras can be at the forefront of these changes in society. They are ideal for use in higher education, where face-to-face lectures and seminars continue to be supplemented or even replaced with remote teaching.

They can also continue to be the bridge between live events and remote participants, offering people a way to experience them even from their own homes and hugely increasing the potential audience for such events.

Canon brings to the PTZ market its renowned quality and 80-plus-year heritage in optical design, not to mention its record of innovative video technologies and groundbreaking products that have lowered the barriers to entry into filmmaking, video production, broadcast and streaming. "We're translating all our knowledge and expertise in imaging into our PTZ products," Matthew says.

The Canon CR-N500 and CR-X500 are aimed at more advanced professional users who demand the best imaging quality. They are ideal for live production and broadcast as well as other applications such as live events, from weddings to concerts.

Both cameras have a 1-inch sensor, the size used in many of Canon’s professional camcorders, which captures 4K UHD video via a 15x zoom lens. Both also feature Canon’s highly effective Dual Pixel CMOS AF system to ensure your subject is always in focus, and the CR-N500 will output FHD 60p (4:2:2 10-bit) video via SDI, 4K UHD 30p (4:2:2 10-bit) video via HDMI, or 4K UHD 30p (4:2:0 8-bit) video via IP, as well as XLR audio.

The CR-X500 is designed specifically for outdoor use by broadcast professionals who require high quality imaging in external environments. Rated IP55 dustproof and waterproof, it's designed to perform in harsh environments. It is also salt resistant and vibration resistant, making it ideal for live sports, live events and broadcast applications such as reality TV as well as security and monitoring.

The CR-X500 comes equipped with 12G-SDI capable of outputting 4K UHD at 4:2:2 10-bit, which is a popular connection method in the broadcast industry to ensure a reliable high-quality video signal.

The CR-N500 is ideal for live streaming and production use indoors, with support for RTMPS, the protocol used by YouTube, and RTP, RTSP and NDI|HX² streaming protocols. As the demand for live streaming continues to increase, this is an important and useful feature, making the CR-N500 an incredibly versatile camera.

The CR-N500 and CR-X500 also bring another key feature to the PTZ market – high precision pan, tilt and zoom movements. The CR-N500 can pan at speeds as gradual as 0.1 degree per second or as fast as 100 degrees per second, satisfying almost any production requirement. They also have built-in image stabilisation, effectively countering vibration caused by environmental factors, from a strong wind to a shaky location.

The CR-X300 is a Canon 4K PTZ camera that offers a pioneering blend of features, combining the IP capabilities of the CR-N500 and CR-N300 indoor PTZ cameras with the rugged outdoor capabilities of the CR-X500. "This means that you can stream your production online in fantastic quality, regardless of the conditions," says Canon Europe product marketing specialist Jack Adair.

"This unique combination makes the CR-X300 the perfect fit for a variety of applications across the broadcast and AV industries, including sports venues, news coverage, reality TV and live outdoor events, to name just a few."

The CR-X300's 1/2.3-inch 4K CMOS sensor, 20x optical zoom lens and Hybrid AF system ensure crisp 4K imagery and pin-sharp focus, even in low-light situations. It's able to output 4K UHD (4:2:2 10-bit) video over SDI and HDMI, or 4K UHD 30p (4:2:0 8-bit) via IP. The CR-X300 is also able to make use of its 4K sensor to deliver Full HD video with enhanced clarity, thanks to oversampled HD processing.

With its compact, lightweight and robust build, the CR-X300 is an ideal camera for outdoor installation in tough environments. It's rated IP65 dust and water-resistant and features a built-in wiper and ND filters to ensure a high-quality image regardless of the conditions.

Support for a wide range of streaming and control protocols means that the CR-X300 can slot straight into a variety of workflows. As well as being able to be integrated into multi-camera setups that may contain a number of different PTZ cameras, professional camcorders or Cinema EOS cameras, the CR-X300 can also be used as a professional standalone camera. Using the RTMP protocol, footage can be streamed directly to a content delivery network of your choice, such as YouTube or Facebook.

The CR-N300, designed for a broader range of users, is perfectly suited for use in higher education, corporate events, weddings and places of worship, and for independent content creators of all kinds. This more compact camera has a 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor but a slightly longer 20x optical zoom and is also capable of sharp 4K image quality. It also supports the same protocols as the larger CR-N500, as well as featuring the same precise adjustments and video formats, with the addition of Full HD via USB for easy connection to a laptop.

All these PTZ cameras are only part of the PTZ system from Canon, which also includes the Canon RC-IP100 Remote Camera Controller, a useful piece of hardware with an omnidirectional joystick for precise camera control, a zoom lever and the ability to control multiple cameras over a network should you need to.

The Remote Camera Control Application is also available free of charge for users who would prefer to control their cameras via a Windows PC. This displays a live feed from up to 20 separate cameras, with the ability to switch between them and control each one as required, including pan-tilt-zoom, preset movement, tracing, and focus control.

Two additional protocols – FreeD and Secure Reliable Transport (SRT) – can be added to the CR-N300 and CR-N500 via a firmware update available in August 2022.

FreeD enables the two PTZ cameras to be integrated more easily into virtual studios. "It will allow the camera's positional data, including the pan, tilt, zoom and focus to be fed into a virtual platform such as Unreal Engine," explains Matthew. "You don't need any additional tracking devices or systems, so it makes VR and AR production simple and cost-effective."

SRT is a broadcast-standard protocol that enables high-quality streaming in unstable or unpredictable network conditions. "When you're working in professional television, the last thing you want is a buffering stream," says Matthew. "But the SRT protocol enables you to have clean, crisp low-latency streaming with the CR-N300 and CR-N500 even when you're dealing with poor bandwidth."

The rapid increase in demand for streaming and remote viewing looks set to make PTZ cameras much more important, not just as remote-controlled capture devices but as part of a larger imaging ecosystem. Bringing Canon's strong background in optics and video capture into the design of PTZ systems, the CR-N500, CR-N300, CR-X300, CR-X500, Canon RC-IP100 Remote Camera Controller and Remote Camera Control Application provide powerful solutions for almost every need, with superb quality imaging, exceptionally fine adjustment and built-in support for key streaming protocols.


¹A third-party licence may be required.

²NDI is a trademark or registered trademark of NewTek, Inc. in the United States and other countries.