Buyers’ guide: The rise of the robo-cam
Posted on Dec 16, 2025 by Pro Moviemaker
Small in size but big in capability, PTZ systems now combine remote operation with high-end optics and pro-level recording features
Words Adam Duckworth
PTZ cameras have quietly moved from niche tools into the mainstream of professional production. Once dismissed as glorified security cams, they’ve now become an indispensable part of the kit list for broadcasters, live event teams and content creators. That’s because they let you put a camera where no operator can easily go or stand for hours.
Productions that dominate today’s feeds are streaming gigs, reality TV and live sport. Add corporate launches and houses of worship, and they all share the need for high-quality coverage from multiple angles, often with limited space and budget for crew.
PTZ cameras tick that box. They’re small enough to rig discreetly above a stage, on a balcony or behind a goal, yet powerful enough to deliver broadcast-grade images controlled from a console across the room or even across the world.
And this isn’t just functional video any more. The latest PTZ systems are being built with cinematic image quality in mind. Large-sensor designs, advanced codecs and pro-grade lenses mean you can capture depth, colour and detail. Log gamma opens the door to serious grading, while fast frame rates enable dramatic slow-motion replays, giving more creative options than ever before.
Accessories complete the package. Controllers, tally systems, software integrations and network switchers make PTZs plug-and-play in existing workflows. Pair them with high-speed IP streaming and you’ve got robust, remote-controlled units that can sit anywhere on-set, ready to deliver smooth pans, tilts and zooms without a human hand in sight.
Atomos A-Eye 4K-20X
£1974/$2299
In the Atomos range is the 4K-20X, a 4K model with a 1/2.8-inch UHD CMOS sensor and 20x optical zoom. The 4K-12X has a 1/2.5-inch UHD CMOS sensor and 12x optical zoom. And for HD only, the HD-20X has a 1/2.8-inch CMOS sensor.
Real-time AI-powered tracking and advanced PTZ motion (±170° pan and -30° to +90° tilt range) mean A-Eye cameras can follow their subject with ease.
All models have NDI HX3 support, H.265, H.264, MJPEG compression and output options – HDMI, USB, 3G-SDI and IP streaming via RTSP, RTMP and Onvif. Power over Ethernet (PoE+) support means one cable delivers power, video and control.
Atomos A-Eye Control
£798/$999
The A-Eye Control is a remote control hub that allows multicamera operation, preset switching and remote production over IP.
The controller has a five-inch LCD screen to view settings and status information, offers joystick and button control for A-Eye PTZ cameras over IP via Onvif and supports RS-232.
The unit can control your focus, iris, pan, tilt and zoom, adjust pan/tilt and zoom speeds, and set presets and fast-function buttons. It can be powered via a DC power adapter or via PoE on a supported network.
Birddog X5 Ultra
£2760/$2995
The Birddog X5 Ultra uses Sony’s latest image sensor, paired with advanced AI-assisted autofocus and subject detection to keep shots sharp in busy environments. The X5 Ultra supports NDI HX3, SRT, USB webcam and traditional broadcast connections, so it’s good for live sports, corporate events and hybrid workflows.
Its new motor drive system allows ultra-smooth and precise pan, tilt and zoom movements, while the large daylight-visible tally system ensures clear on-set communication. It also includes dual e-ink displays for easy identification and maintenance, built-in NDI decoding and compatibility with Birddog’s suite of apps and cloud services. With intuitive controls and extensive protocol support, the X5 Ultra is ideal for demanding, high-end productions.
Birddog XL Ultra
£6839/$6995
The brand-new Birddog XL Ultra blends the flexibility of robotic control with the image quality of large-sensor cinema systems. At its heart is a 4/3in CMOS sensor, supported by a 20x optical zoom. A secondary 1/1.8in panoramic sensor built into the base offers simultaneous wide-angle coverage, effectively giving operators two cameras in one.
Designed for high-end broadcast, studios and virtual production, the XL Ultra offers dual 4K/60p outputs with simultaneous NDI streaming. Advanced AI tracking makes sure subjects are framed naturally. Built-in ND filters, genlock and timecode support and an optical low-pass filter (OLPF) solidifies its professional pedigree.
Birddog KBD Controller
£1318/$1295
Birddog’s next-generation KBD Controller has a rugged, ergonomic build and a large screen displaying up to four cameras.
A streamlined menu offers access to essentials like camera pairing, while its built-in tally display integrates with mixers like TriCaster or vMix, showing the live camera right on the keyboard. With tactile feedback for camera switching, it’s intuitive and easy for extended use.
It adapts to set-ups with NDI, Visca, Onvif, RS-232 and RS-422 connectivity. Advancements include easier access, configuration and joystick calibration.
The large screen lets you monitor up to four cameras at the same time or focus on one in full screen mode.
In one new useful feature, you can set up one camera and instantly copy those settings to another Birddog X cam.
Canon CR-N700
£8749/$8749
Canon’s CR-N700 has just won the Pro Moviemaker Gear of the Year award for best PTZ because it’s a camera designed for broadcast and live events, bringing high-end features to a compact body. It records UHD 4K/60p in 4:2:2 10-bit HDR, offering an easy HDR workflow. At its core is a one-inch CMOS sensor with 8.29 megapixels, paired with the powerful Digic DV7 processor, while built-in ND filters provide extra flexibility in changing light conditions.
A major highlight is the renowned Dual Pixel CMOS AF with EOS iTR AF X, ensuring reliable focus even with moving subjects. The 15x optical zoom can be extended to 20x digitally, or up to 30x in HD using Advanced Zoom.
Connectivity is future-ready, with 12G-SDI alongside support for SRT, NDI HX and FreeD protocols.
Canon RC-IP1000 PTZ
£4674/$5549
Canon’s RC-IP1000 is the brand’s chief PTZ controller, compatible with all of Canon’s high-end PTZ models and built for professional broadcast environments. Supporting both IP and serial communication, it enables remote access and control of up to 200 cameras. A seven-inch LCD touchscreen provides input monitoring and live viewing, with the ability to display up to nine camera feeds simultaneously.
Connectivity includes HDMI out, 12G-SDI in/out, Serial RJ45, LAN/PoE+, two USB ports and dual GPIO D-Sub. The ergonomic joystick provides fine-tuned pan, tilt and zoom, with a customisable button on top. Operators also get 42 buttons and 14 dials for quick access to key functions such as iris, gamma, white-balance and focus.
Lumens VC-TR60A
£1896/$1999
The Lumens VC-TR60A uses dual lenses and voice-tracking technology to automatically follow the speaker around the room. An array of directional sound sensors detects active voices, guiding the robotic zoom head to frame the current speaker and smoothly adjust as others join the conversation. The camera supports a reference audio input via USB or line-in, ensuring reliable voice tracking.
It can combine the outputs of its two lenses into a picture-in-picture feed, delivering a wide-angle view and a close-up simultaneously over HDMI and USB. Also, it outputs two video streams, one panoramic and one from the robotic head into IP-based production software, giving producers flexible options for events or broadcast environments.
Marshall CV612
£1020/$900
The Marshall CV612 automatically identifies, tracks and follows with AI so it learns who the subject is and doesn’t lose them. With 12x optical and a 15x digital zoom, the CV612 offers a 4.1-49.2mm (6.6-70.3°) field of view. It is built around a two-megapixel, 1/2.8in HD CMOS sensor, with resolutions from 1920×1080, 1280×720 all the way down to 640×480.
Set-up and manual control are via Ethernet, RS232 and USB-C interfaces. The control interface includes RS232, Visca, Pelco, Visca-over-IP and Onvif protocols as well as LAN control.
Panasonic AW-UE150AW/AK
£8394/$9995
The Panasonic AW-UE150AW/AK 4K PTZ camera supports the NDI High Bandwidth protocol, enabling easy IP-based, low-latency 4K video transmission. This is alongside support for SRT and NDI HX2.
It’s also compatible with 12G-SDI, 2x 3G-SDI, HDMI and fibre output formats, making it ideal for both remote production and livestreaming environments. Fitted with a high-sensitivity 1.0-type 4K MOS sensor, the UE150AW/AK has a wide-angle lens, 20x optical zoom and built-in auto-tracking functionality.
An optical low-pass filter (OLPF) reduces luminance and colour moiré when filming monitors or LED walls, while HDR/HLG compatibility delivers a full range of colours.
It has upgraded synchronisation of pan, tilt and zoom presets and an Optical Image Stabiliser that reduces image shake during pan and tilt operations.
Rode Rodecaster Video
£858/$1199
Rode has boosted its Rodecaster Video with a free update that makes it even better for PTZ productions. Built-in NDI support allows the switcher to receive up to four NDI inputs and one output via Ethernet, unlocking IP-based workflows.
It also brings camera control via NDI cameras. Combined with advanced keying tools, overlays, auto-switching tied to audio channels and streamlined UI improvements, the Rodecaster Video is a capable hub for traditional and networked PTZ workflows.
Sony BRC-AM7
£10,794/$13,000
Sony’s BRC-AM7 offers 4K/60p with advanced AI-powered auto framing. At its core is a 1.0-type stacked Exmor RS CMOS sensor with a Bionz XR processor, oversampling 5K to produce detailed, low-noise 4K video with HDR support.
The built-in 20x optical zoom extends to 30x in 4K or 40x in Full HD via Clear Image Zoom. A variable electronic ND filter offers adjustment from 1/4 to 1/128 for exposure control. A pan-tilt system enables smooth, near-silent movement at speeds from 0.004 to 180° per second.
Gamma options are: ITU709/709tone, S-Cinetone and S-Log3. Connectivity covers 12G-SDI, HDMI, 3G-SDI, dual XLR inputs and 3.5mm audio, with genlock compatibility for broadcast workflows.
Sony FR7
£8520/$11,998
Sony’s FR7 is the first PTZ camera to merge full-frame cinematic imaging and high-end E-mount lenses with remote-control flexibility. By pairing a 10.3-megapixel back-side illuminated 35mm Exmor R CMOS sensor with interchangeable Sony lenses, it offers a true cinema-style look with shallow depth-of-field.
The FR7 provides 15+ stops of dynamic range and ISO up to 409,600. It records internally in XAVC or externally via SDI as 16-bit Raw and supports CFexpress Type A and SDXC cards. Frame rates reach 4K/120p for slow motion, while colour science includes S-Cinetone and S-Log3. Connectivity options are: HDMI Type A, 12G-SDI and XLR audio and a recent firmware update added auto framing technology to the FR7 too.
Telycam Explore XE
£5899/$5995
Telycam’s Explore XE has a one-inch Sony CMOS sensor and phase detection autofocus for sharp, low-noise footage. The camera supports NDI HX3, plus H.264 and H.265 compression for high-quality, low-latency streaming, and has a 20x optical zoom.
Other features include integrated tally lights, onboard microSD card recording, genlock, plus mini XLR and 3.5mm line-in professional audio inputs.
For virtual production, FreeD support enables precise PTZF data output to platforms such as Vizrt, Zero Density and Unreal Engine. Telycam also unveiled a free Elgato Stream Deck plug-in, giving creators direct control of pan, tilt, zoom, focus and presets.
This article was first published in the November/December 2025 issue of Pro Moviemaker
