Canon CR-N500 Professional 4K NDI PTZ Camera with 15x Zoom (Satin Black)

Canon’s CR-N500 PTZ camera produces outstanding image quality and is equipped with powerful features and functions to be utilised in many industries including House of Worship, Education, Broadcast, Corporate, Events and more.

The CR-N500 produces incredible 4K and HD image quality with the combination of a 1” CMOS sensor and DIGIC DV 6 image processor. These core components provide the image-processing power and speed that enables 4K UHD video acquisition, image stabilisation and precise Dual Pixel CMOS AF. On-air pan and tilt movement is possible thanks to the smooth and responsive pan and tilt mechanism equipped with the CR-N500.

The CR-N500 camera supports Canon’s new XC Protocol as well as Real-Time Messaging Streaming Protocol, NDI|HX Live Video Production Protocol, Standard (VISCA) Protocol and more. The CR-N500 can be controlled remotely by IP, Serial, IR or wirelessly via Wi-Fi.

High quality 4K 30P and FHD 60P video output

1.0 Type CMOS Sensor

The CR-N500 features a Canon 1.0-inch 4K UHD CMOS image sensor capable of 4K UHD video capture at 30p and up to 60fps in Full HD, making the CR-N500 PTZ camera great for the remote and unobtrusive capture of professional productions.

The CR-N500’s 1.0-inch sensor allows for larger photosites compared to smaller-sized sensors found in other PTZ cameras, resulting in stunning images with less noise in low-light situations. The larger sensor also exhibits a shallow depth of field at large apertures, producing a beautiful bokeh and blurred backgrounds in images, while Canon’s DAF tracks and keeps subjects in sharp focus. The CR-N500’s DIGIC DV 6 imaging engine drives the high sensitivity and low noise performance of the camera yielding amazing imagery in a variety of shooting conditions.

Minimum subject illumination at 1.5 lux*.

*When camera set to: (3840 × 2160 : shutter speed 1/30 sec., Frame Rate 29.97P, Gain 33.0 dB).

DIGIC DV 6 Image Processor

The CR-N500 PTZ camera incorporates Canon's DIGIC DV 6 Image Processor, which is essential in providing high image quality, advanced performance and convenient operability. This advanced core technology component provides the image-processing power and speed that enables features such as 4K UHD video acquisition and precise Dual Pixel CMOS AF.

Dual Pixel CMOS AF

Dual Pixel CMOS AF is Canon’s breakthrough AF technology that uses a CMOS sensor with a structure that combines imaging and phase-difference AF functions. The Dual Pixel COMOS AF determines the focusing position by the phase difference, which drives the focusing lens smoothly and enables quick focusing. The AF tracking capability is effective even during zooming, panning or tilting. On the other hand, with the conventional contrast AF method, used by other cameras, the focusing position is determined by the contrast (difference of brightness). Therefore, the focusing lens may move slightly back and forth around the focusing position, which could cause delay when focusing.

Dual Pixel Focus Guide

Utilising information from Dual Pixel CMOS AF, Dual Pixel Focus Guide helps achieve precise focus by displaying focus assist information on the screen. It employs a truly innovative user interface that helps enable the user to see if they are focused in front of or behind the subject through visual observation and allows quick and accurate manual focus to be achieved. This helps simplify the focusing process when shooting in 4K UHD, which requires strict focus accuracy.

Face Detection & Tracking

The CR-N500 has multiple focus modes that aid the operator when confirming focus. When set to on, the Face Detection & Tracking can track the face of a subject when they are within a frame. Furthermore, there are two Face Detection options (Face Priority & Face Only). Face-Priority will track a face within the scene, when a face is no longer within the scene, the camera will continue to focus within the predefined focus area. In the same way, the Face Only function will track the detected face within the scene, if the face is no longer within the scene, the camera will maintain its focus position without tracking for new objects. If more than one face is detected within a scene, the operator can toggle between detected faces. Both modes are useful when following a subject allowing the operator to focus on composition while the camera handles focus.

Canon 4K UHD Lens

The CR-N500 features a 15x optical zoom lens and exhibits a wide viewing angle of 73 degrees (horizontal). At the wide end, the 25.5 mm* lens is capable of capturing extensive scenes in tight shooting spaces such as indoor events for cinematic wide shots. The camera utilises aspheric lens elements to achieve 4K image quality while minimising various aberrations over the entire zoom range.

Easily change the look of the image capture by utilising a neutral-density filter. The CR-N500 is equipped with a built-in ND filter mechanism that allows the user to select from three densities: 1/4, 1/16 and 1/64. With the built-in ND filter, users can achieve rich video expression by controlling aperture values.

Furthermore, the lens structure of the CR-N500 enables real-time responsiveness in a three-dimensional space, supporting optical image stabilisation, which helps keep the image capture stable by minimising vibration.

*35 mm camera equivalent

Over Sampling HD Processing

The full HD recording (oversampling HD processing) takes full advantage of the image information acquired by Canon’s 4K sensor to generate beautiful high-definition full HD video. This helps content creators produce stunningly detailed FHD videos when utilising the CR-N500.

Smooth and responsive pan and tilt control

Variable Pan and Tilt speed of .1° - 100°/second

The CR-N500 is equipped with the PT (Pan, Tilt) drive mechanism that can change the speed from fast to slow in incremental steps. This allows the operator to set the speeds to desired preference to allow for smooth PT movement. The CR-N500 exhibits a variable Pan and Tilt speed of .1° - 100°/second.

Virtually seamless integration into Canon Imaging workflow

Canon Log 3 Supported 

Canon Log 3 is a gamma regarded for its latitude and flexibility with post-processing. It realises a dynamic range (800%/13-STOP equivalent) while retaining the characteristics of the dark area and the proximity of 18% grey.

Log shooting is particularly effective for constantly shifting shooting sites such as unscripted productions and documentaries or sites with rapidly changing lighting conditions.

Canon Log 3 is a gamma considering a simple grading by tightening the dark area to arrange the gradation, which retains the ease of use of Canon Log making the noiseless visible.

Shooting in log allows the CR-N500 to more easily match the colour and look of other cameras, especially those also shooting in log. This helps provide a more consistent look across the entire production.

Wide DR Gamma Supported

The CR-N500 supports Wide DR Gamma for natural and realistic-looking images that faithfully represent the scene at hand. Wide DR Gamma achieves a dynamic range of 800% to produce almost seamless tone gradations, resulting in smooth detail and virtually no blown-out highlights.

Equipped with Six Image Quality Modes 

The CR-N500 is equipped with acclaimed image quality modes for high-end video production. There are six preset image modes to choose from, each preset contains specific gamma, colour space and colour matrix parameters. Apart from the preset image quality mode, adjusting and combining the gamma, colour space and colour matrix make it possible to adjust to the intended image look.

Equipped with a Variety of Image Quality Adjustment Functions

The CR-N500 features the Image Quality Adjustment function (Custom Picture) which is acclaimed for high-end video production. The Image Quality Adjustment function equipped with the CR-N500 is similar to Canon’s XF705 and Cinema EOS System, which allows users to adjust the picture settings to adapt to the shooting conditions or add effects according to the intention of the direction. This function makes it possible for content creators to match the image capture of other cameras in production - resulting in a match of image output.

Easy integration into IP streaming 

IP System

In addition to SDI and HDMI connections, the CR-N500 is equipped with an RJ-45 interface purposed for IP communication, which supports high-resolution videos for distribution. The CR-N500 supports multiple protocols that can be utilised for video, audio and control. The genuine RC-IP100 controller utilises the XC protocol to control the CR-N500. The CR-N500 can also be combined with third-party equipment for control purposes.* This IP system can help contribute to efficient and labour-saving camera operations for the field of video production, broadcasting and more.

*Connection with all devices is not guaranteed. Canon makes no representations and warranties about third party products. 

IP Multi-Stream Support

The CR-N500 can simultaneously distribute video to multiple protocols via IP. Simultaneous distribution is also known as multi-stream, and the CR-N500 can distribute a total of three video streams simultaneously. Furthermore, if the HDMI/SDI video output is 30 fps or less, the CR-N500 can distribute two video streams, 4K H.264 and 360P H.264, at the same time. Such IP multi-streams contribute to parallel workflows where the same video is used simultaneously in remote environments.

RTMP Streaming Protocol Supported 

The CR-N500 is capable of streaming video and audio using RTMP (Real-Time Messaging Protocol). Even high quality/large capacity video/audio files such as broadcast programs are played at the same time as a distribution without waiting for the completion of the download. For example, by using a live streaming service, the viewer's direct access to the distribution URL set on the camera will stream the "current video" captured by the camera. With the RTMP streaming distribution, multiple viewers can watch the program at the same time even in a remote environment.

Live Video Production Support Protocol: NDI®|HX

The CR-N500 supports the NDI® (Network Device Interface) protocol that is well-established in the field of video production and broadcasting as the supporting RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol). The NDI® protocol has been developed and led by NewTek, Inc. as a protocol that supports the workflow of live video production over an IP network. 

By constructing a system that uses NDI® protocol-compatible devices and tools, it is possible to use video and audio resources on the network, including live video from cameras. As a result, a "live video production" workflow is created.

Standard (VISCA) Protocol Supported

The CR-N500 supports the Standard (VISCA) Protocol to remotely control the camera via IP. When connecting a Standard (VISCA) Protocol compatible controller to the camera over IP or serial (RS-422) the camera can be operated remotely and shooting settings can be adjusted through the controller.

The Standard (VISCA) Protocol is widely used in video production, broadcasting and many other markets. The CR-N500 supports the standard (VISCA) protocol that is regarded as an industry standard and is suitable for operation within existing workflows.

Canon XC Protocol

The XC Protocol is a newly developed IP that controls Canon video production equipment. By supporting, the XC Protocol the CR-N500 can be remotely controlled supporting a wide range of applications, which includes sports, music, live events, lecture recording, corporate video production, and more. The XC Protocol is provided free of charge and can be found at https://developercommunity.usa.canon.com.

Various interfaces support multiple environments 

HDMI, 3G-SDI and IP

The CR-N500 is equipped with three output interfaces. The IP output and HDMI output are suitable when capturing UHD 4K at 30P or full HD resolutions at 59.94P. The SDI output is capable of full HD resolution and is suitable for usage when requiring high image quality video at 59.94P.

Genlock

The CR-N500 is equipped with Genlock to allow for sync with other systems in multi-camera environments.

2 Channel XLR Audio

The CR-N500 offers a variety of ways to record high-quality audio through two XLR terminals, an internal stereo mini-jack mic terminal.

Standard Serial RS-422

The CR-N500 is equipped with a serial terminal RS-422 which can be utilised to connect the third party supported controllers that support the standard (VISCA) protocol communication.

One person operation

Control multiple cameras 

The CR-N500 can be controlled by IP, infrared and Wi-Fi. Canon’s hardware controller, the RC-IP100 is capable of controlling up to 100 cameras and 100 presets – this allows the operator to control multiple cameras in a larger production. The CR-N500 is a perfect fit for many applications in broadcast, education, House of Worship, events & staging and more.

Other features

All-New Design

The CR-N500 impresses with its distinctive style. A solid exterior colour and shape that looks like it was cut out from a cone, and the size that gives a sense of strength, yet stable and compact. This PTZ camera maintains design harmony with other Canon professional imaging products such as the established Canon 4K camera systems and lenses. The CR-N500 is available in two different colours, Satin Black and Titanium White.

Equipped with Tally Lamps

The CR-N500 is equipped with tally lamps that indicate the status of the camera. The tally lamps are located on the front and rear of the lens section and illuminate red when the camera is shooting. Providing clear visual indications for staff and performers to know which camera is shooting live.

Wireless Remote Controls Supported

In addition to the IP interface, the CR-N500 can also connect by Wi-Fi. This allows the operator to access the camera’s Settings Page from a wireless tablet device that is equipped with a supported HTTP browser. When using multiple cameras at the same time the user can set and operate the other cameras in the same way by inserting the assigned IP address of the camera in the web browser of the tablet or other device. In addition, the CR-N500 is equipped with an infrared remote controller, which is also used to control the camera wirelessly.

Easy-to-use Settings Page and Discovery Tool

The CR-N500 supports the camera discovery tool, which is a Windows application. The Camera Search Tool is utilised to set the IP addresses of multiple cameras, which helps installers and integrators set up the CR-N500 within an existing network infrastructure. Furthermore, the CR-N500 supports the web application “Settings Page“. The Settings Page allows the user to configure the settings of camera operation, which is accessible by the web browser. Video quality adjustments such as exposure and white balance that are usually performed by the camera operator on-site can now be adjusted and set while watching the video from their desk through the Settings Page. Both Camera Search Tool and Settings Page enhances the ease of use by remote control.

Remote Camera Control Application

The Remote Camera Control Application can be utilised to control the CR-N500. The Remote Camera Control Application is a Windows application for centralised control of multiple cameras. It is possible to operate up to nine cameras and display videos at the same time - achieving a "multi-camera operation". At a video production or broadcasting site, an operator can select a camera from the videos displayed on the “Connected Camera List”, within the application and operate it from the “Camera Control Area" in the control panel of the software. The software is included and can be installed immediately without having to prepare a hardware controller in advance making it easy to use for the operator while creating an effective one-person operation.