Obsbot, the company behind numerous webcam products, has successfully funded its newest camera, the Tail Air, after raising more than $1 million on Kickstarter.
The Obsbot Tail Air is an AI-powered 4K PTZ camera designed for streamers. Its resolution specs are pretty standard; the camera records 4K UHD video at up to 30 frames per second and 1080p video at 60 fps. However, where the camera promises to shine is through its AI technology. The camera offers automatic tracking of human, animal, and object subjects, which, when combined with its PTZ (pan, tilt, and zoom) design, the camera can automatically track a person (or animal) and keep them in a specific position within the frame.
The camera offers video output and interface connections via micro HDMI, USB-C, and Ethernet ports, promises 2.5 hours of shooting time using its battery, works with a remote controller that can also control the camera’s motion, and the Tail Air is smaller than a (tall) soda can.
Alongside live streaming, like Twitch or YouTube, Obsbot targets content creation, interviews, and in-the-field recording with the Tail Air. The camera can be part of a multi-camera setup and includes gesture controls. When the subject is in the frame, specific gestures lock/unlock the focus target, adjust the static zoom level, start and stop recording, and trigger dynamic zoom movements.
Inside the Tail Air PTZ camera is a Type 1/1.8 CMOS image sensor with a two-micron pixel size. The camera’s eight-piece 23mm (equivalent) lens has an f/1.8 maximum aperture. It is a prime lens, so zooming is handled digitally through cropping on the relatively small image sensor.
Autofocus is driven by a time-of-flight system. Basically, the Tail Air uses infrared beams to measure the distance to the subject and then adjust its focus accordingly. The company promises strong tracking performance in a wide range of scenarios, including low-light, although only real-world testing can determine the quality of the AF system.
Speaking of testing, numerous YouTube channels have published reviews of the Obsbot Tail Air, including Mark McGee Photos and TechSource. Keep in mind that both of these creators appear to have some business relationship with Obsbot, so take the reviews with a grain of salt. However, the videos do a good job of showing what the camera promises and its interesting AI-powered features.
The Obsbot Tail Air has proven very popular with Kickstarter users and has begun shipping to backers. The general public can now purchase the AI PTZ camera for $499.
Image credits: Obsbot