Follows IBC Best-in-Show Award Win for Image Stabilisation Technology
Press Release
Garbsen, Germany — 16 October 2026
Proton Camera Innovations GmbH will use NAB Show New York 2026 (Level 3, Booth 560) to announce the full market launch of their PROTON IS, a miniature broadcast camera which incorporates full image stabilisation and an innovative lens/body split structure to provide unrivalled image clarity in immersive contexts. The concept of the PROTON IS was demonstrated at IBC2026 – where it received the Best of Show award – and the camera will be ready for customer delivery in Q1 2027.
The PROTON IS brings professional-grade image stabilisation to a form factor where conventional stabilisation systems – gimbals, gyros, and mechanical dampers – are simply unable to function. It uses a two-part architecture which separates the imaging head (measuring just 20x20x22.5mm and drawing 0.5W) from the processing unit and power supply (which measure 23x23x70mm and draw 2.3W with passive cooling). Together, these are connected via a flexible cable (up to 90cm) which allows the sensitive processing components to remain safely hidden away while the tiny imaging head captures footage in the heart of the action.
True to the philosophy behind all Proton’s cameras, delivering the highest broadcast-grade image quality remains the primary objective. With 1080p60 footage in 10-bit quality, the PROTON IS incorporates Proton’s VEGA broadcast-grade shading for the colour accuracy and dynamic range required in professional production. An integrated stereo microphone captures embedded audio, while the low total power draw of 2.8W across a 4.7-24V range enables integration into power-constrained environments. The camera fits any SDI transmitter system, with full remote control available via RS485.
When considering Proton’s entry for the annual IBC Best in Show award, judges focused particularly on the way that design innovation was deployed to meet specific challenges and real-world applications, particularly in the field of live sports production. There are almost limitless applications for the PROTON IS: any environment where fast-paced movement creates distracting levels of camera shake. Deployments have included motorbike and car racing, and – due to the miniature size of the camera – applications where weight and size make a significant difference to performance, including cycle races, drones or even mounted directly to skis in downhill slalom races.
One particular area where the PROTON IS really comes into its own is in body-mounted applications, where the stabilisation system compensates for the jarring and distracting bobbing motion of the human gait, whilst retaining the immersive perspective of a POV shot – be that the excitement and action of the player’s view, or the emotive interactions of a referee. The split architecture also allows for even weight distribution and moves heat-producing components away from the subject’s forehead.
Speaking of the award and delivery announcement, Marko Hoepken, CEO and founder of Proton Camera Innovations, said: “Proton’s pace of innovation is rapid, and we use trade shows as a natural rhythm, with the aim to move swiftly from concept presentation to market-readiness. This allows us to capitalise on the remarkable interest that follows each new concept release – and the latest IBC award for the PROTON IS is gratifying evidence of that”.
He continued: “But we don’t innovate merely for the sake of it. Our aim is always to expand our range in ways that continue to push the boundaries of what can be done creatively – placing cameras in the heart of the action, developing viewpoints which audiences have never seen before and which immerse them in the excitement and emotion of the event. That’s exactly what we’re delivering with our image stabilisation technology in the PROTON IS. The only limit is the user’s imagination”.
More information about PROTON and its products is available at http://proton-camera.com/ and https://doc.proton-camera.com/.
