Telecamere

Telecamere are devices that capture moving images on film or digital sensors. In Italian, telecamera means video camera. The term, derived from tele- ('far') and camera, is used broadly to refer to cameras used for filmmaking, broadcasting, surveillance, and consumer video capture. A telecamera typically records video onto magnetic tape, memory cards, or via digital streaming, and can deliver live images for monitoring or transmission.

Telecamere can be classified into several types, including consumer video cameras (camcorders), cinema cameras used in professional filmmaking, broadcast cameras for television studios, IP cameras used in surveillance networks, webcams connected to computers, action cameras for sports, and PTZ cameras that can pan, tilt, and zoom. They vary in sensor size (1/3", 1", Super 35, full frame), resolutions (HD, 4K, 8K), frame rates, and low-light performance. Modern telecamere often rely on CMOS sensors and electronic stabilization, with digital signal processing for color and noise reduction. They may support interchangeable lenses, external recorders, and various outputs (HDMI, SDI, USB, IP).

Historically, early telecamere were film or analog videocameras; with the rise of digital imaging in the late 20th century, video cameras transitioned to digital sensors, internal storage, and later network connectivity. Today, telecamere are used across media production, security, and personal communication. In surveillance, IP cameras can be accessed remotely and integrated with analytics such as motion detection or facial recognition; in broadcasting, high-end cinema cameras deliver large-image sensors and raw recording, enabling extensive color grading. In consumer contexts, smartphones and laptop webcams blur the line between dedicated telecamere and general computing devices.

Related topics include camcorder, camera, CCTV, webcam, IP camera, and videography.