Best Canon PTZ controllers: RC-IP1000 vs CANON RC-IP300 vs SKAARHOJ RC-SK5

Canon's PTZ controllers provide streamlined control of your remote cameras. Using a hardware controller or the free Remote Camera Control Application for Windows and Mac, a single operator can make accurate adjustments to the movement and settings of multiple PTZ (pan, tilt, zoom) cameras.

But which Canon PTZ controller is the best option for you? What do the hardware controllers enable you to do that the software solution doesn't?

• How to choose the best Canon PTZ controller for your needs
• Best PTZ controller for high-end broadcast: Canon RC-IP1000
• Best entry-level PTZ controller: Canon CANON RC-IP300
• Most versatile PTZ controller: SKAARHOJ RC-SK5

Canon's Remote Camera Control Application is a good choice for those getting started in PTZ video, explains Matthew Koshy, Product Specialist at Canon Europe. "This free software will give them full control of up to 20 Canon PTZ cameras and preview nine live feeds, all from their PC.

"This level of functionality can suit low-budget applications, such as corporates that are starting to make content, individual content creators or small departments in colleges."

Canon's hardware controllers, however, provide the precision, speed and control over a multi-cam setup that professionals need, with support for more cameras, a wide range of customisable controls, ergonomic design, and a joystick enabling fine and smooth camera movements. Here's how Canon's hardware PTZ controllers compare.

The Canon RC-IP1000 is a powerful, broadcast-level PTZ controller for high-end applications such as live events and TV studios. It uses Canon's XC Protocol, which means it pairs effortlessly with Canon professional PTZ cameras, such as the CR-N700 and CR-N500, as well as Cinema EOS cameras including the EOS C70, EOS C300 Mark III and EOS C500 Mark II, as well as the Canon XF605 pro camcorder. Since 2024, a new structure and XC Protocol API allow expanded capability of integrating with third-party solutions too.

The RC-IP1000 provides IP video and input monitoring, PC-less camera setup, and support for POE+ over LAN, enabling the controller to be powered without a 12-volt power input. It features five RS-422 Serial ports, an SDI input and GPIO inputs for tally control.

As the world's first PTZ controller to offer IP video and input monitoring, the RC-IP1000 makes for a more efficient remote camera workflow, Matthew explains. "Previously you would have had to connect an external monitor to see the feed. But the RC-IP1000 controller allows you to monitor all your feeds on its 7-inch LCD touchscreen. You have different views available too, so you can choose a full-screen display, or 2x2 and 3x3 views. The RC-IP1000's SDI and HDMI outputs also enable you to monitor the full feed live on an external screen, should you wish to do so."

Since a 2024 firmware update, users can also output the Multi View displayed on the LCD screen to an external display through the 12G-SDI/HDMI Out, allowing you to see all of your camera feeds in greater detail. The same firmware update enables you to view your presets through thumbnail images on external displays, allowing you to easily and confidently switch between them.

The touchscreen also offers enhanced functionality, such as letting you select the AF point using Touch AF. Thanks to a 2024 firmware update, users can select a tracking subject on the touchscreen, and a new Focus Guide is viewable on the LCD screen to show whether a subject is in focus or not – perfect for those who prefer to focus manually. (This feature is available with the Canon CR-N700 and CR-N500 PTZ cameras, as well as video cameras and camcorders with Dual Pixel AF, such as the EOS C300 Mark III, EOS C500 Mark II, EOS C70 and XF605 pro camcorder.)

In addition to autofocus control, the RC-IP1000 enables you to manage specific settings within the optional Auto Tracking app app that is available for all Canon indoor PTZ cameras (the Lite version is free; a paid-for version unlocks extra functionality). A 2024 firmware update introduced an improved tracking algorithm, allowing operators to confidently rely on their PTZ cameras to track the right subject without intervention.

The CANON RC-IP300 is a compact controller that includes many of the advanced features of Canon's pro broadcast level RC-IP1000 controller in a space-saving design ideal for small studios, classrooms and corporate environments. Like the top model, it enables a single operator to control multi-camera setups of up to 200 cameras over IP, in up to 20 groups, and store and recall up to 100 presets per camera for instant, repeatable results.

Using Canon’s XC Protocol provides fast IP control of multiple Canon products through one interface, connecting PTZ cameras, Cinema EOS and professional camcorder models for smooth, unified operation. IP‑only video inputs simplify networking, or you can also connect a switcher via the GPIO (D-sub 9-pin) port on the Canon RC-IP300 for synchronised tally display on cameras connected via the switcher.

In addition to a joystick for controlling pan/tilt and a zoom rocker, both with adjustable speed, the Canon RC-IP300 has 15 user-customisable buttons, making it easy to configure for different shooting scenarios or operator preferences. Its 3.5-inch touch panel can simultaneously display settings for up to nine connected cameras or a picture feed from up to four cameras, and supports Touch AF – simply touch the point you want to focus on. In addition, the AF frame of Face Detection AF can be displayed and the AF target can be specified by touch.

The Canon RC-IP300 also supports Canon's PTZ Auto Tracking app and Auto Loop app – switch on or off for each camera, plus set loop method and loop direction from the touch panel. In addition, the controller supports the crop function on Canon CR-N700, CR-N400 and CR-N350 PTZ cameras: the operator can select, move and resize cropping frames by touch.

Like the RC-IP1000, the CANON RC-IP300 provides effortless camera setup without the need for a PC, and even initial setup for multiple cameras at once, greatly reducing setup time. It can apply simultaneous settings for multiple connected cameras, and also offers a multi-preset function that combines preset numbers assigned to each camera. It delivers low response latency, even when switching camera groups with a large number of connected cameras, allowing for smooth operation.

The canon RC-IP300 combines the versatility and control power of the professional RC-IP1000 with a simpler interface to suit corporate, education and small studio users. It's a compelling step up from the Remote Camera Control app on a PC, and also a substantial upgrade from the previous entry-level controller model, the RC-IP100, which was significantly bulkier, had fewer controls, did not support live video preview on its LCD display , and could handle half the number of connected cameras.

For flexibility, the canon RC-IP300 can be powered using POE or the included 12-volt power adapter. With its ergonomic design, easy to read screen and intuitive controls, the canon RC-IP300 enables one person to manage multi-camera setups with complete confidence, making it an outstanding choice for corporate video, events and conferences, lectures and presentations, houses of worship, or small studios.

Canon has partnered with SKAARHOJ, the leading controller manufacturer, to deliver a versatile, high-quality mid-range PTZ controller ideal for corporate and event use, equipped with an array of desirable professional features found on higher priced control panels. It offers full compatibility with Canon's XC Protocol, enabling control of Canon PTZ, Cinema EOS and camcorder models over an IP network. The SKAARHOJ RC-SK5 controller includes a professional quality joystick, dedicated dials for Iris, Focus, R and B Gain, Master, and Pedestal, plus a zoom rocker for smooth wide-to-tele transitions and precise camera control.

The RC-SK5 has 20 choices of control sets that govern four tasks each, delivering up to 80 sets. This enables the operator to stay responsive and flexible by pre-programming angles and transitions. All presets are displayed on the panel for monitoring and control.

A particular benefit of the RC-SK5 is that it can be connected to other SKAARHOJ products, such as the side panel Frame Shot Pro, which offers even more intuitive control with colour images of preset positions. Plus, with an additional paid Pro Licence, the RC-SK5 gives you the freedom to extend, customise and connect to other products and devices from different manufacturers.

A paid Pro Licence extends the RC-SK5 with universal camera compatibility, making it possible to seamlessly mix in PTZ cameras from other top brands. This makes the RC-SK5 a good option if you already have and need to centrally manage a mixed environment of different brands. What's more, with a Pro Licence, you can connect a theoretically unlimited number of cameras, subject to network capacity and system resources. In practice, managing more than 50 cameras is easily achievable. With a Pro Licence, the RC-SK5 integrates into SKAARHOJ's ecosystem, enabling connections with other devices via the Raw Panel Protocol.

A paid Pro Licence also enhances usability by replacing preset numbers with customisable labels, displayed on the control panel. These make it easier for the operator to quickly identify and manage a greater number of camera presets. You also gain additional customisation options, the ability to route the selected camera feed to a dedicated screen, and the option of live tally feedback, syncing tally signals from different video switchers with the camera select buttons, as well as with tally lights (if any) on connected PTZ cameras.

All this means the SKAARHOJ RC-SK5 is a good mid-range choice particularly if you have an existing setup based on the SKAARHOJ ecosystem or require compatibility with a mixed network of third-party cameras (paid Pro Licence is required). For controlling a setup of Canon cameras using XC Protocol, it's worth considering alongside the CANON RC-IP300, depending on your preferences – the latter is more compact and offers a touch-panel-based design.

Ultimately, choosing between the Canon RC-IP1000, CANON RC-IP300, and SKAARHOJ RC-SK5 comes down to your budget and whether the type of production you're working on demands the sophisticated control and expandability of the RC-IP1000.

Regardless of which you choose, you can be assured that a Canon PTZ hardware controller will give you the capability to run a multi-cam setup with more precision and efficiency than a software solution alone.