HD-HDR with broadcast quality from a “lipstick”: this is the new Proton LS camera

The Proton LS ultra-compact camera Proton premieres worldwide in IBC 2026 (September 11 – 14, RAI – Amsterdam), where it will highlight its capabilities to offer an HD-HDR broadcast quality image with a tiny form factor: a cylindrical “lipstick” type chassis.

The Proton LS se build around a 1/3 inch global shutter sensor, which offers a 1080p capture with a high dynamic range of 12 bits and compatibility with HDR on gamma curves HLG, PQ y S-Log3. Unlike rolling shutter sensors, which can cause oscillations or distortions during high-speed motion or vibration, the shutter global is capable, Proton points out, of reading the entire “frame simultaneously”.

The solution Features weather-resistant casing with classification IP67 that measures only 19 mm in diameter and 58 mm in lengthitude, and which weighs approximately 50 grams including cable. These capabilities allow their deployment in difficult outdoor conditions, like POV cameras of referees or integrations in complex locations in vehicles.

With an operating range of 4V to 22V and total consumption of just 2.5W, the LS integrates discreetly into existing broadcast workflows. without requiring additional power infrastructure. Multiple options will be available protected targets, allowing users to tailor the field of view to their specific application.

Proton: total commitment to miniaturization

The Proton LS joins a growing range of Proton miniature television cameras, an ecosystem that includes the Proton Cam, the “smallest” professional quality camera on the market; the Proton 4K, with UHD capabilities; the Proton Zoom, which integrates a variable focal length lens; the Proton Rain, with a total hermetic seal; the Proton Flex y 4K Flex, which separate the lens head from the processing unit using a flexible cable, and the Proton Pro, which features a 2/3-inch global shutter sensor, integrated Genlock, audio input, auxiliary control, and a C-mount lens interface.

Marko Hopek, CEO of Proton, highlights the LS, defined as the "perfect addition" to the range: "The LS is the latest piece of a broader strategy. We are creating a family of miniature television cameras, each optimized for different applications, while remaining flexible and adaptable to a wide range of contexts, and all of them share the same DNA of exceptional image quality and foolproof reliability. Whether a production team needs the ultra-compact Proton Cam, the rain-resistant Rain “The flexible Flex, the all-in-one Pro, or now the lipstick-shaped LS, you can choose the right tool for the job. The only limitation is your creativity.”