If you’ve ever wanted one of those cool eye-in-the-sky cameras like they have at casinos under the tinted domes in the ceiling, Canon has recently introduced a new professional grade version with some really nice and unexpected features.

This is the VB-C300 Wide-Angle Pan/Tilt/Zoom (PTZ) network camera from Canon that also has some high quality video recording software available to allow you watch and record the video stream across a LAN or the internet. It is optionally powered by the actual LAN cable making installation a lot easier. Simply mount the camera and attach your LAN line and you are powering, controlling and watching video from one connection.

“The addition of the VB-C300 PTZ Camera and introduction of VK-64 / VK-16 Version 1.3 Network Video Recording Software further expands the versatility of Canon’s Network Video Solutions products and provides installers with more options to meet the needs of clients,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager of the Canon Consumer Imaging Group in a press release. “Canon Network Video Solutions PTZ and fixed cameras are famous for their superior zoom ratios. With the addition of the VB-C300 PTZ Camera, and the new version of the network video recording software, video security and monitoring professionals now have unprecedented video-capture and monitoring capabilities as well.”

This security camera features a 70 degree viewing angle which makes it ideal for small rooms or entry ways, and can pan a total of 340 degrees. The the panning angle and viewing angle combined come out to more than a full circle of available viewing.

In addition, not only can you watch video, but it has a two way speaker and microphone which works in full duplex to allow the person monitoring the camera to see and interact with the individual on the other end through a microphone and speakers on the monitoring PC. This security camera from Canon can even server up to 15 client viewers through the LAN line at the same time.

Canon’s VB-C300 PTZ Canon Security Camera does not come cheap, however. The camera alone runs just under $1000, and the high end version of the video recording software sells for as much as $2499. I think my $30 webcam is going to have hold me over in the video surveillance department for now.