Camera Corps is now providing sports broadcasters a new imaging option in the form of a new HD MiniZoom miniature broadcast-quality 720p/1080i 50/59.94 Hz HD camera with integral remotely controllable zoom lens.

Measuring just 96 x 49 x 45 mm, the camera incorporates a 1/3-inch 2 megapixel CMOS sensor with 10 x zoom lens (5.1 to 51 mm) in a weatherproofed aluminium housing. Total weight is just 285 g. The HD MiniZoom has very low power consumption (3.8 W power at 6 to 12 V DC) and can be used in full auto mode with the lens at wide angle. Output is YPrPb on a single six-pin Lemo connector.

An auxiliary interface provides all the necessary data decoding to allow full manual control of iris, zoom, focus and tally-light from a small local control panel or full remote joystick and CCU panels. The interface accepts data as well as power (9 to 36 V DC, 6 W) via XLR3 and XLR4 connectors and delivers three HD-SDI outputs. Cable length from camera to interface can be up to 30 m (or longer to special order).

The HD MiniZoom can be coupled to camera mounts such as the Polecam and has a standard 37 mm screw fitting which can take various wide-angle adapters. It delivers >50 dB signal-to-noise ratio (12 lux minimum illuminated at F1.5). The two-piece aluminium housing is protected to IP65 standard, allowing safe operation in heavy rain or high levels of windblown dust.

"Miniature HD cameras have been available for several years," comments Camera Corps Technical Director Jim Daniels. "This is the first time remote-controllable zoom optics have been integrated into a compact lightweight HD camera head. It offers Polecam operators in particular the same creative freedom in HD that they take for granted in SD. It has proved an extremely effective tool in our own work for programme producers, removing many of the limitations that have hitherto beset HD cameras."