Canon U.S.A. Inc. announced the upcoming “Add-On Applications System” for PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) remote cameras that will provide access to add new paid video production features, beginning with auto tracking and auto loop applications for the company’s flagship CR-N700 4K PTZ camera. The auto tracking application will enable the CR-N700 to automatically pan, tilt and zoom to track moving subjects, and the auto loop application will allow users to program and automate repeated camera movements. The Add-on Applications System will be available to be added to the CR-N700 via a future firmware update. Going forward, Canon plans to expand the lineup of applications offered by its Add-On Applications System, as well as the lineup of compatible remote camera models.

These initial paid add-on applications enable the applications to run from within the camera itself. With the addition of the Add-On Applications System, customers can directly add the new capabilities to the PTZ camera, providing a better value for end users.

The auto tracking paid add-on application enables automatic tracking according to a subject’s movements. As the subject moves, the camera will pan, tilt, and zoom to maintain the subject’s composition in the frame. This added function helps to reduce the camera operator’s workload, letting them focus on other tasks such as camera switching and streaming, and allows for multi-camera shoots with fewer people on set.

The responsive auto tracking allows for full body, upper body and head and torso tracking at both slow and normal walking speeds, and full body and upper body tracking at fast walking speed. In addition, the auto tracking application provides users with a wide range of adjustment functions such as composition, tracking sensitivity, priority display area, fixed viewing angle area, tracking target auto select, pan/tilt halting area, initial position, auto select exclusion and pan/tilt operation control.

The new auto tracking add-on application is ideal for end users in markets such as house of worship and corporate event streaming, educational workshops and lectures, and broadcast and corporate interviews.

The firmware update to add the “Add-On Applications System” is scheduled to be available in March 2023. The paid auto tracking and auto loop add-on applications are scheduled to be available in April 2023 for $1200 and $800, respectively.

For more information, visit usa.canon.com.