PTZ Cameras

PTZ cameras, which is short for “pan-tilt-zoom cameras,” are a subset of robotic cameras. These cameras can typically be mounted on a tripod or permanently and semi-permanently mounted on a wall, ceiling, grid or other structure. PTZ cameras, as their name suggests, can only pan, tilter and zoom — they can’t truck or dolly (fancy words for move location on the floor or surface they are mounted on) without human intervention, which can limit the angles and shots they can capture. Some studios may use a combination of PTZ cameras and fully movable ones. A PTZ camera may be better suited to get cross or other shots where it would difficult to conspicuously place a full camera in and, thanks to the lower profile, a PTZ camera can either be “hidden,” “disguised” or, if it shows up behind other shots, not be as obvious given is smaller size. In addition, some PTZ cameras are combined with “rail” systems that allow the PTZ camera to move on predefined paths around the studio for greater shot options.