Gear Guide to PTZ Cameras

Explore the latest PTZ cameras and features to consider when choosing the right fit for your ministry.

09.08.26

9:18 AM

PTZ cameras have become one of the most practical—and increasingly capable—tools available to church production teams.

The reasons aren't difficult to understand. Many churches want multiple camera angles for livestreaming, recording and IMAG, but don't necessarily have the space, budget or volunteer team required to put an operator behind every camera. A PTZ camera can be mounted in places where a traditional camera position would be difficult or intrusive, controlled remotely, and programmed to quickly recall frequently used shots.

But the PTZ conversation has changed considerably in recent years.

Image quality has improved. Larger sensors, better lenses and more sophisticated image processing have helped narrow the gap between PTZs and traditional production cameras. At the same time, IP-based video, improved remote controllers and tighter integration with production systems have made it easier for churches to deploy several cameras without dramatically increasing the complexity of the production.

Then there's automation. Auto-tracking and intelligent framing are increasingly capable of following a pastor or presenter without requiring someone to constantly operate the camera. For churches with small production teams—or ministries trying to accomplish more without adding another volunteer position—that can be a significant advantage.

Perhaps more importantly, PTZ cameras aren't simply replacements for operator-controlled cameras. Churches are increasingly using them alongside traditional cameras to capture angles that otherwise wouldn't be practical: above or behind the platform, close to musicians, along room edges or in other locations where placing a camera operator would be distracting or impossible.

Of course, there's no single PTZ that's right for every church. Sensor size, optical zoom, low-light performance, connectivity, control protocols, tracking capabilities and integration with an existing video system can all influence the decision.

The following Gear Guide highlights a range of PTZ cameras currently available for house-of-worship production and some of the features worth considering when choosing the right cameras for your ministry.

I N T H E S P O T L I G H T

TELYCAM | Model: Explore 300

telycam.com

Telycam’s new Explore 300 4K PTZ camera brings high-end, broadcast-class quality and capabilities to houses of worship at exceptionally cost-effective pricing. It features a 4/3” image sensor, 20x optical zoom and advanced hybrid (PDAF+CDAF) auto-focus to deliver sharp, detailed images with exceptional low-light performance and fast, accurate automatic focusing.

The Explore 300’s new brushless motor and three-axis synchronization eliminate robotic movement to ensure fluid, natural camera motion, while an optical low-pass filter (OLPF) minimizes moiré artifacts when shooting against LED backgrounds. Its flexible output connectivity includes 4K at 60 frames per second over HDMI or NDI HX3, with 4K at 30 fps available over USB-C and 1080p60 video over 3G-SDI. It can also stream directly in SRT, RTMP and more, and can record files on an SD card. Other key features include AI-powered auto-tracking and an intuitive, touch-friendly browser-based user interface.

TECHNOLOGY FOCUS: For houses of worship needing advanced broadcast connectivity, the sibling Explore 500 model offers the same flexible outputs as the Explore 300 plus NDI High Bandwidth, 12G-SDI (with genlock) and SFP+ (fiber) interfaces.

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Video Outputs: HDMI 2.0 (4K/60FPS), USB-C (4K/30FPS), 3G-SDI (1080p60)
Streaming IP Outputs: NDI HX3 (4K/60FPS), SRT, HTTP, HTTPS, RTSP, RTMP, RTMPS, RTP Multicast, WebRTC, MPEG-TS
Optical Zoom: 20X
Sensor Size: 4/3’’
Resolution: 4K Ultra HD (3840x2160), 9 megapixel
Low Light (Minimum Lux Rating): 0.5 lux (50 IRE max AGC, 1/30, F2.8)
Auto Tracking: AI-based auto-tracking and auto-framing
Pan/Tilt Speed: Pan 0.1°-80°/s, Tilt 0.1°-60°/s
Control Protocol: VISCA over IP (TCP,UDP),

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OF NOTE: The Explore 300 pairs perfectly with Telycam’s new Mix One 4K switcher and PTZ controller to deliver comprehensive and intuitive live production and streaming capabilities for PTZ-centric workflows.

BIRDDOG | Model: X4 Ultra

birddog.tv

Video Outputs: 3G-SDI, HDMI, USB-C UVC, Network
Streaming IP Outputs: NDI|HX2, NDI|HX3, RTSP, RTMP, SRT, 1Gbps adaptive Ethernet port; PoE IEEE 802.3at, WiFi 6
Optical Zoom: 20xSensor Size: Sony 1 / 1.8” CMOS
Resolution: 4K UHDLow Light (Minimum Lux Rating): .5 lux
Auto Tracking: Presenter Tracking, ZonePan/Tilt Speed: Pan: 1.7-80°/sec; Tilt: 1.7-60°/sec
Control Protocol: VISCA Baud Rate: 38400/9600/4800/2400, VISCA-IP, NDI, ONVIF

BZBGEAR | Model: BG-ADAMO-JR

bzbgear.com

Video Outputs: HDMI, USB 2.0 & 3.0, SDI, Ethernet if DANTE or NDI
Streaming IP Outputs: RTSP, RTMP, RTMPS or optional Dante AV-H or NDI|HX3
Optical Zoom: 12X, 20X or 30X
Sensor Size: 1/2.8 inch SONY CMOS sensor
Resolution: 1920x1080Low Light (Minimum Lux Rating): 0.5Lux (F1.8, AGC ON)
Auto Tracking: Yes, AI auto trackingPan/Tilt Speed: Pan: 1.4°/s ~ 100°/s; Tilt: 2.9°/s ~ 30°/s
Control Protocol: RTSP, RTMP, RTMPS, ONVIF, GB/T28181; support network VISCA control protocol

Canon | Model: CR-N400

usa.canon.com

Video Outputs: High Quality 4K 60P Video Output
Streaming IP Outputs: 12G-SDI, 3G-SDI, HDMI, and IP Video Out
Optical Zoom: 20x Optical Zoom Lens (40x FHD) with Optical Image Stabilization
Sensor Size: 1/2.3” CMOS Sensor with Hybrid Auto Focus
Resolution: 4K
Auto Tracking: Free Auto Tracking Lite application installed
Pan/Tilt Speed: Variable pan speed of 0.1° to 100.0° per second. Variable tilt speed of 0.1° to 100.0° per second.
Control Protocol: NDI|HX2, SRT, FreeD, RTP/RTSP, RTMP/RTMPS

Marshall Electronics | Model: CV612-TBI

marshall-usa.com

Video Outputs: 1 x BNC (3G-SDI), 1 x HDMI
Streaming IP Outputs: HDMI, SDI, IP, and USB-C
Optical Zoom: 12xSensor Size: 1/2.8-inch HD CMOS sensor
Auto Tracking: Accurate auto-track, follow and frame subjects using AI facial learning technology
Pan/Tilt Speed: Pan rotation 170 degrees, Tilt rotation -90-+90 degees. Tilt Control Speed 0.27°/s ~ 40.34°/s, Pan Control Speed 0.42°/s ~ 60.32°/s
Control Protocol: VISCA/Pelco-D/Pelco-P; Baud Rate: 115200/38400/9600/4800/2400

OBSBOT | Model: Tail 2

obsbot.com

Video Outputs: 1 x BNC (3G-SDI), 1 x HDMI
Streaming IP Outputs: HDMI, SDI, IP, and USB-C
Optical Zoom: 12xSensor Size: 1/2.8-inch HD CMOS sensor
Auto Tracking: Accurate auto-track, follow and frame subjects using AI facial learning technology
Pan/Tilt Speed: Pan rotation 170 degrees, Tilt rotation -90-+90 degees. Tilt Control Speed 0.27°/s ~ 40.34°/s, Pan Control Speed 0.42°/s ~ 60.32°/s
Control Protocol: VISCA/Pelco-D/Pelco-P; Baud Rate: 115200/38400/9600/4800/2400

PANASONIC VIDEO & AUDIO SYSTEMS | Model: AW-UE160 4K PTZ Camera

connect.na.panasonic.com

Video Outputs: HDMI 2.0 (4K 4:2:2 10-bit), 12G-SDI, Dual 3G-SDI, SFP+ (ST 2110/JPEG XS over IP with license)
Streaming IP Outputs: H.265, H.264, MJPEG, NDI High Bandwidth, NDI HX2, SRT, RTMP/RTMPS, RTP/RTSP, MPEG-TS over UDP, SMPTE ST 2110
Optical Zoom: 20x optical zoom
Sensor Size: 1-inch MOS sensor
Resolution: Up to 4K UHD (3840 × 2160) at 60p
Auto Tracking: YesPan/Tilt Speed: 0.08°/sec to 180°/sec
Control Protocol: Panasonic AW Protocol, RTMP/RTSP, NDI, RS-422, IP control, FreeD, TSL 5.0, SNMP, SMPTE ST 2110/NMOS

PTZOPTICS | Model: Rise 4K

ptzoptics.com

Video Outputs: 12G-SDI for 4K60, 3G-SDI, HDMI, USB 3.0, 12G-compatible SFP+ fiber.
Streaming IP Outputs: NDI HX, RTMP, RTSP and SRT
Optical Zoom: 20X
Sensor Size: 1-inch, 50-megapixel CMOS sensor
Resolution: 4K Ultra HD resolution (3840 × 2160) at up to 60 frames per second
Auto Tracking: Includes built-in AI auto-tracking using ReID and FaceID technology
Pan/Tilt Speed: 0.004° to 180° per second
Control Protocol: Supports VISCA, Pelco-D and Pelco-P control protocols through RS-232 and RS-422/RS-485 connections

SONY ELECTRONICS | Model: BRC-AM7

pro.sony

Video Outputs: BNC (12G-SDI, 3G-SDI), HDMI, Optical (SFP+)
Streaming IP Outputs: RTP/RTCP, RTSP, RTMP/RTMPS, SRT, NDI HX2
Optical Zoom: 20x, 24mm-480mm
Sensor Size: 1.0-type (13.2 mm x 8.8 mm) Exmor RS CMOS sensor
Resolution: 3840 x 2160Auto Tracking: Y, Person (up to 8), Ball Sports (Basketball)
Pan/Tilt Speed: Pan: 0.004 deg./sec to 180 deg./sec, Tilt: 0.004 deg./sec to 180 deg./sec
Control Protocol: HTTP/HTTPS, VISCA over IP, S700PTP, PTP-IP over SSH, TSL5.0

TELYCAM | Model: Vision+ 4KN 30X