Panasonic Refreshes PTZ Camera Lineup

Panasonic announces a refresh of its PTZ camera range with five new models to address market needs. The 4K integrated cameras AW-UE80W/K, AW-UE50W/K, AW-UE40W/K, AW-UE20W/K and the HD integrated camera AW-HE20W/K will be released sequentially from the first quarter of 2022. All the cameras have a new proprietary direct drive system based on Panasonic’s own technology for quiet and smooth vertical and horizontal directions.

As organisations have had to adapt to an accelerated digital environment, the quality of video transmission has become particularly critical to the education, corporate, live events and broadcast industries. With clear images and dynamic image production obtained with Panasonic’s pan, tilt and zoom movement, it is possible to improve the quality of online communication and improve the sense of presence even when not face-to-face.

The AW-UE40, AW-UE50 and AW-UE80 will have a 24x optical zoom and up to a 36x intelligent zoom, as well as a 74.1 degree viewing angle to support usage in both indoor and outdoor environments. The latest generation of optical image stabilisation (OIS) ensures excellent stability. All cameras will support PoE, enabling a single-cable solution whereby video and audio, control, and power can be provided to and from the camera via a single ethernet connection.

The latest IP-based video protocols will be supported, including NDI|HX version 2 and, in the case of the AW-UE80, full-bandwidth NDI. The SRT protocol will also be supported alongside RTMP and RTMPS. The AW-UE80 will also support the FreeD protocol to ensure integration with AR and VR systems alongside 4K/50p video capabilities.

The 4K-capable AW-UE20W/K and the HD integrated camera AW-HE20W/K are entry-level PTZ cameras produced specifically for the corporate and higher education markets. Both models will feature a wide-angle lens, the latest IP protocol certifications, and connectivity for SDI, HDMI, USB and IP.

Panasonic offers an entire ecosystem of solutions to enable the new PTZ cameras to be smoothly introduced into existing camera systems. This includes use with its remote camera controllers, PTZ Control Center centralised control software, and its automatic tracking software for presentations and lectures, enabled by face recognition and human body detection.

“Panasonic PTZ cameras have met the needs of customers shooting everything from national governments to esports. Most recently they have been used at venues of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, including the Japan National Stadium and the Tokyo Aquatics Centre,” said Guilhem Krier, Panasonic’s Head of New Business & Market Development for MEBD & DSC Business Units. “We’ve listened intently to the feedback from our customers. From this, we believe that the new models provide our customers with the flexibility to easily pick the PTZ camera best suited for their needs. The new PTZ cameras are a true plug-and play solution.”