Panasonic Introduces 4K PTZ Cameras with 24x Zoom and NDI Support

To meet the recent demands of remote video operations for high-quality education, broadcast, virtual set, corporate, vlogging, livestreaming, and house of worship communication, Panasonic has released the new 4K NDI Pro 12G-SDI/HDMI PTZ camera. This versatile, full-featured PTZ (pan, tilt, zoom) camera comes in black or white models, and it provides 4K video capture, a 24x optical zoom, a 74.1° angle of view, HDMI, SDI, and NDI output, direct IP streaming, and the ability for remote control via serial devices. Its long list of features gives you variety and quality to fit a range of needs.

The camera’s 1/2.5" MOS sensor allows you to capture up to 4K60 video, and its integrated electronic image stabilization ensures a stable, jitter-free image. The lens provides a wide 74.1° angle of view, so it can fit comfortably in midsize to large conference rooms. Its 24x optical zoom maintains image quality in 4K, and if you are in 1080p capture mode, the digital iZoom function provides 36x zoom to capture those distant close-ups. Unlike many PTZ cameras in the field, this camera features 3.5mm audio input and can embed your audio in your video output, allowing you to use an external microphone.

There are multiple options for video output to fit into just about any PTZ video network architecture, including HDMI and 12G-SDI outputs that can connect to a computer, switch, monitor, or recording device. The camera also features an RJ45 Ethernet port to provide direct IP streaming output to the Internet using RTMP/RTMPS protocols, and it also can fit right into any NDI network by supporting NDI and NDI|HX streams with data rates up to 250 Mb/s. The RJ45 port provides even more functionality by allowing you to remotely configure and monitor camera operations via IP and by supporting PoE+ (Power-over-Ethernet) to power your camera without an additional power adapter (depending on your network switch functionality). Video output formats include uncompressed video via NDI, NDI|HX compression, MJPEG, H.265, and H.264, giving you a variety of options for your live and post-production choices.

The camera’s pan, tilt, and zoom operations are smooth and quiet, thanks to its powerful Direct Drive, and it can pan 350° and tilt 240° to reach all areas of your space. You can control the camera's PTZ operations remotely, utilizing an optional serial controller by plugging it into the camera’s RS-422 serial input, so you don't have to be near the camera to change its angles. Another exciting addition to the camera’s remote support is the support for FreeD commands for live camera tracking for AR (augmented reality) and VR (virtual reality) video productions. The FreeD protocol provides communication between the camera and your virtual set systems such as Brainstorm, XPERIENCE, and others via serial or IP.

If you want to step up your professional PTZ video network, check out Panasonic’s line of PTZ cameras at the B&H Website, and when you're in New York City, drop by the B&H Photo SuperStore.