Panasonic at NAB 2026: IP Production, KAIROS, LUMIX S1II and a New NEP Partnership
Panasonic Video and Audio Systems North America is using NAB Show 2026 (booth #C3509, April 19–22) to consolidate its case for IP and IT infrastructure as the foundational layer of modern broadcast and live production. The exhibit spans cameras, control systems, automation software, and a newly announced integration partnership with NEP Group, with KAIROS — Panasonic’s IT/IP-based live production platform — at the center of the floor layout.
KAIROS and the IP Production Argument
KAIROS continues to serve as Panasonic’s primary argument against traditional hardware switcher architectures. The platform’s IT/IP foundation allows it to handle virtually any resolution mix and to drive LED displays of varying shapes and pixel pitches without the format constraints that define dedicated hardware switchers. The NAB booth is built around a stage environment surrounded by LED displays specifically designed to demonstrate KAIROS in a high-end visual production context — capture, staging, and streaming all running through the platform simultaneously.
The strategic logic behind KAIROS is increasingly relevant as broadcasters accelerate the shift toward distributed and hybrid production. When the production plant is software-defined and IP-routed, remote and on-premises workflows converge on the same infrastructure rather than requiring parallel, incompatible systems.
Camera Updates
AK-UBX100 4K Multi-Purpose Camera
The AK-UBX100 is positioned as an infrastructure simplifier. Supporting ST 2110, NDI, and SRT simultaneously, it eliminates the need for traditional camera base stations and is designed to integrate into IP environments without dedicated hardware intermediaries. Paired with the AK-UCX100 4K Studio Camera and AW-UE160 4K PTZ Camera, it enables color matching and unified control across a mixed camera fleet within a single workflow — reducing the operational overhead of managing cameras from different product lines.
Autofocus for Studio Cameras
Panasonic is bringing autofocus to the 4K studio camera line via firmware. The AK-UCX100 is already receiving the update, with fast, stable focus acquisition across a wide lens range. The AK-UBX100 follows in Q2 2026. Autofocus in studio camera contexts has historically been a differentiator for PTZ applications; extending it to larger studio bodies via firmware rather than a hardware refresh is a meaningful protection of existing customer investment.
AW-RP200GJ Remote Camera Controller
The AW-RP200GJ is Panasonic’s first remote camera controller with macro functionality, capable of storing and recalling camera operations across up to 200 PTZ cameras. A dual joystick configuration and redesigned interface target multi-camera sports production environments where precision and speed of response are critical. Enhanced IP connectivity and centralized system management round out the specification.
Image Adjust Pro Plug-in
The Image Adjust Pro plug-in for Panasonic’s Media Production Suite moves camera color and image management from hardware-based control to software-driven remote operation. Up to 20 studio and PTZ cameras can be managed per license from a PC or tablet, which makes centralized image consistency across large multi-camera setups operationally viable without dedicated hardware at each camera position.
LUMIX on the Production Floor
The LUMIX S Series has a presence at the booth, with the S1II and S1RII both on display. The S1RII leads with a 44.3MP full-frame sensor aimed at high-resolution still and video capture with natural rendering. The S1II targets hybrid shooters with a 24.1MP sensor, 5.1K/4K video recording, blackout-free burst shooting, AI autofocus, and in-body image stabilization — a camera aimed at the crossover between photojournalism speed and video production demands.
The LUMIX GH7 rounds out the camera lineup with a 25.2MP Micro Four Thirds sensor, internal ProRes RAW recording, 32-bit float audio capture, and real-time subject recognition autofocus. The 32-bit float audio in particular is notable for documentary and field production contexts where controlled recording environments are unavailable.
A dedicated studio zone addresses live streaming and podcast production, built around the Media Production Suite and PTZ cameras with an emphasis on AI-driven automation and workflow efficiency.
Automation and AV Processing
The Auto Framing plug-in enables the AW-UE80 4K PTZ to track subjects in real time with consistent framing, reducing manual operator intervention in fast-moving production environments. The WR-AV800 AV Processor integrates audio and video processing across hybrid workflows, supporting up to four ceiling microphones and eight PTZ cameras simultaneously.
The AW-UE5 is a new 4K PTZ entry for corporate AV environments, leading with ultra-wide-angle optics and NDI HX support for flexible IP-based deployment without dedicated infrastructure.
NEP Group Partnership
The most strategically significant announcement at the booth is a new partnership with NEP Group, one of the largest broadcast services companies globally. The integration connects NEP Platform with Panasonic’s KAIROS, creating a unified control and data plane through which operators can allocate resources, manage production switching, and orchestrate signal routing from a single interface. For broadcasters already operating within the NEP ecosystem, certified KAIROS integration significantly reduces the friction of adopting Panasonic’s live production platform.
Panasonic Video and Audio Systems North America will be at NAB Show 2026, Las Vegas, April 19–22, booth #C3509.