Regarding the detailed control of the PTZ camera, you will want a controller that gives you joystick control of the camera’s movements and separate zoom/focus control.
It’s also a benefit to have snapshot record-ability on your controller (the ability to record a preset and have variable speed of the preset).
Touchscreens are nice, but they are not the right tool for PTZ operation. You must have tactile control of the unit.
It’s also a benefit to have snapshot record-ability on your controller (the ability to record a preset and have variable speed of the preset). This gives you the ability to setup a pan, tilt or zoom from one preset to another and have it done at a certain predefined speed. For example, this will give you the ability to have a snapshot of the drums, and also a snapshot of the snare. You can easily run the snare snapshot and have your camera make the move to the snare on its own. Such use of a PTZ camera could go a long way toward reducing labor needs during a worship service, for instance.
What brands you should be considering?
The brand that I put at the top of the list is Sony. The RMIP500/1 controller unit is easy and ergonomic and gives you amazing PTZ control of multiple remote cameras. It’s compact and features a high-quality joystick that allows for seamless pan, tilt and zoom adjustments of any of the Sony BRC PTZ cameras. Your zoom function can also be controlled via the joystick or a supplementary seesaw lever. In addition, this unit has dedicated knobs. The control buttons simplify direct access to frequently-needed camera functions. The unit works via a standard IP network, identifying new cameras on the network and assigning a camera number for easy integration and control of newly added units to the network.
Along with the controller, a good match would be to pair it with Sony's new BRC-X1000/1 and the BRC-H800/1 cameras.
Among each camera's extensive features, are a full 1.0 type sensor. Unlike its competitors, that have a 1/2 or 1/2.3 sensors. Why is the sensor size important? Well, I think Simon Crisp from the website, New Atlas, said it best: "The size of sensor that a camera has ultimately determines how much light it uses to create an image. In very simple terms, image sensors (the digital equivalent of the film your father might have used in his camera) consist of millions of light-sensitive spots called photosites, which are used to record information about what is seen through the lens. Therefore, it stands to reason that a bigger sensor can gain more information than a smaller, one and produce better images."
What that means is that these cameras allow in the most light of any PTZ camera, have ultra-high sensitivity, amazing zoom capability (48x in HD mode), life-like color reproduction and excellent resolution.
Sony is leading the way here with the BRC series and their PTZ cameras allow you a lot more flexibility and quality. Many people who use these units are not purchasing as many cameras that would have to be manned, because they can get so many more shots at a higher quality.
Essentially, each Sony PTZ unit can set farther back and use its zoom to bail out the camera operator. This saves your budget a lot of money. For more about the 1.0 sensor and access a rebate through Sony, visit this link.