Proton Camera Innovations GmbH (Booth 10.F21) announces the launch of the Proton IS, a miniature broadcast camera with full image stabilization to the company's growing ecosystem.
“Designed as a next-level body camera, the Proton IS delivers steady, professional-grade imagery from locations where traditional stabilization systems simply cannot go,” according to the announcement.
The Proton IS is built around a two-part architecture that separates the imaging head from the processing unit. The camera head measures 20x20x22.5mm and draws 0.5W, while the processor and power supply measures 23x23x70mm and draws 2.3W with passive cooling. The two elements are connected by up to 90cm of flexible cabling, allowing the sensitive, expensive processing components to be hidden away in a safe location while the tiny imaging head is deployed in the heart of the action.
“This separation is fundamental to the Proton IS' value proposition. The split body/lens system means the camera works particularly well in a body-mounted context, since it allows for the weight to be distributed more evenly, whilst the heat dissipation of the unit is fixed away from the subject’s forehead. This makes it ideal for referees or players, where the image stabilization smooths out the bobbing motion that comes from mounting a fixed camera on a moving subject, compensating for the natural rhythms of human gait to produce stable, immersive imagery,” the announcement continues.
Delivering 1080p60 footage in 10-bit quality, the camera incorporates Proton’s Vega broadcast-grade shading, delivering color accuracy and dynamic range for professional productions. An integrated stereo microphone captures embedded audio, while the power draw of 2.8W total - 4.7-24V operational range - allows for integration into power-constrained environments. The Proton IS fits into any SDI transmitter system, with full remote control available via RS485.
“The result is a camera that can create steady shots everywhere – from body-worn deployments to vehicle mounts, drone undercarriages to helmet rigs. It brings the audience to the playing field as never before, balancing stability with authenticity - smoothing enough to eliminate distracting judder, while preserving the speed and physicality that makes live sport so compelling,” according to the release.
The Proton IS joins a growing ecosystem of miniature broadcast cameras from Proton, all of which leverage the company's core competency in miniaturization but offer distinct feature sets for different deployment contexts. The Proton Cam remains one of the smallest broadcast-grade camera on the market. The Proton 4K delivers ultra-high-definition capture. The Proton Zoom integrates variable focal length. The Proton Flex separates lens head from processing unit for flexible mounting. The Proton Rain offers full weather sealing. The Proton Pro combines a larger global shutter sensor with integrated professional connectivity. And the newly launched Proton LS offers a cylindrical lipstick form factor optimized for wearable and low-profile vehicle mounting. Future development plans for the Proton IS will see the technology merged with that of Proton’s other new IBC release – the Proton Flexy – which uses serialization and SMA connectors to extend the length of the joining cable to a practically unlimited length, and make it easier to maintain and replace components.
Marko Hoepken is CEO and founder of Proton Camera Innovations. He says, “With the addition of the Proton IS, production teams now have access to full image stabilization in a form factor that conventional stabilization systems - gimbals, gyros, mechanical dampers - simply cannot achieve. The only limitation is their creativity”.
He continues, “But the IS is just one piece of a much larger picture. Across our entire range we are giving production teams the ability to match the exact camera to the exact deployment. Whether you need extreme miniaturization, weather resistance, flexible mounting, professional connectivity, or image stabilization, there is a Proton camera ready to go. And because they all share the same broadcast-grade DNA, you never have to compromise on image quality or reliability”.
More information about Proton and its products is available at http://proton-camera.com/ and https://doc.proton-camera.com/.
