Panasonic to merge pro and consumer imaging divisions

Panasonic is to transfer its professional AV business and Panasonic Visual from its Panasonic Connect division to its Panasonic Entertainment & Communication division

The integration – which is scheduled to take place on 1 April – has been prompted by an increasing overlap between the growing markets for consumer and professional video production, and live video streaming.

In a statement, Panasonic said the increasing size of sensors in mirrorless digital cameras and tighter budgets in broadcast and cinema production were contributing to the rapid blurring of the lines between consumer and professional video production.

There has been a rise in demand from solo creators, particularly for mirrorless digital cameras. In the field of live broadcast and video streaming, there is increasing demand for diverse video shooting and streaming equipment that offers improved video and audio quality and advances in visual expression.

The company also expects there to be further integration between the consumer and professional markets in future.