Canon has announced upcoming firmware updates for its Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) lineups that will deliver advanced functionality and improved performance. The PTZ updates, covering indoor and outdoor models such as the CR-N700, CR-N500, CR-N300, CR-N100, and CR-X300, introduce additional features and improvements, including enhancements to the auto tracking paid add-on that now includes advanced multi-person tracking, improved live streaming performance, support for the Multi-Camera Control application, and more.
Live streaming with Canon PTZ cameras just got even easier with improved SRT and RTMP support. For both SRT and RTMP, the cameras now feature auto-reconnect to ensure minimal downtime in the event of a signal loss. SRT improvements also include the ability to automatically start transmission on camera power-up. For the CR-N100 and CR-N300 cameras, this firmware provides improved support for teleconferencing systems with PTZ control over IP when the camera is in USB Camera Mode.
Other updates to the cameras include new Area Zoom functionality to easily move to an area of interest by drawing a box on the user interface. For applications that require using different frame rates on the same production, the CR-N700 firmware adds the ability to seamlessly emulate the appearance of 60, 30, or 24 frames per second from the user interface or a controller. Future firmware updates themselves will also become easier to install, as this firmware adds the ability to check, download, and install new firmware from the camera’s web interface.
The built-in auto-tracking application is also getting improvements. Tracking performance in both the free and the paid version of auto tracking has been improved to better track fast-moving objects. The paid version of the auto-tracking will include multi-subject tracking. This enables the ability to track multiple subjects at the same time. The update also includes face orientation composition assistance, which can automatically change the composition of the shot based on which direction the subject is facing.
The RC-IP1000 controller will also receive a firmware update. In addition to creating compatibility with the new camera firmware features and Auto Tracking updates, preset registration and display have been improved. This firmware will also add compatibility with the EOS C80 cinema camera. Support for standard protocol over the serial ports has been added, as well as a host of other improvements to the controller.
Canon’s Multi-Camera Control IOS Application is also receiving an update. The latest update will include support for all four of the indoor PTZ cameras and the CR-X300 outdoor camera.
Availability
The firmware updates for Canon’s PTZ cameras are currently scheduled to be available by the end of July 2025.
