There are places where technology reaches its limits – and others where it shows what it is truly capable of. Mount Säntis undoubtedly belongs to the latter.
At an altitude of 2,502 metres, where wind, ice, UV radiation and extreme temperature fluctuations are part of everyday life in the Alpstein region of Eastern Switzerland, a panorama is created that fascinates people all over the world today – transmitted by a ROUNDSHOT livecam.
More than 1,000 livecams are now installed worldwide. Many of them have been in continuous operation 24/7 for years. The livecams are not only used by weather services or mountain railways such as the Säntis Schwebebahn.
They offer travellers, nature enthusiasts, adventurers and interested viewers an unobstructed view – no matter where in the world they are located.
The case study on the ROUNDSHOT livecam on Mount Säntis vividly demonstrates what becomes possible when four worlds come together:
Swiss precision, decades of alpine expertise, state-of-the-art Japanese FUJIFILM camera technology – and, above all, people who clearly love what they do.
A Passionate Swiss Family Business
Behind the ROUNDSHOT livecams used worldwide – in which FUJIFILM cameras are deployed – stands the Swiss family-owned company Seitz Phototechnik AG, which has been developing highly precise camera systems and 360° panorama technologies for decades.
What many people do not know: every single ROUNDSHOT livecam is completely handcrafted in Lustdorf (Canton of Thurgau), in the original family home, and is among the leading camera solutions in the fields of tourism, weather visualisation and B2B live imaging systems.
The three owners Peter Seitz, Werner Seitz and Urs Krebs, together with the entire ROUNDSHOT team, work with great dedication on the maintenance and continuous development of their products.
Peter Seitz: The Man Behind the Housing
Peter machines the robust aluminium housings that are later installed on mountain peaks, in harbours or along coastlines. These high-performance housings form the foundation of the weather-resistant ROUNDSHOT livecams.
“Our cameras have to withstand extreme temperatures, intense UV radiation and massive wind loads,” he explains. The choice of materials and precision in manufacturing determine whether a camera operates reliably for one year or for an entire decade – a key requirement for any weather camera.
Werner Seitz: Perfection Down to the Smallest Component
Once a housing is completed, Werner takes over: he installs the camera technology, calibrates and tests each individual system. Every ROUNDSHOT livecam is fully assembled by him, precisely adjusted and tested for 24 hours under real-world conditions to ensure flawless 360° panoramic images.
Urs Krebs – The All-Rounder
Urs is responsible for software, remote maintenance and connecting the cameras to the world. The challenge: a ROUNDSHOT livecam must function reliably – whether it is installed in Switzerland, North America or New Zealand.
“The FUJIFILM SDK is a key component,” he says. “It allows us to fully control the camera and operate it with long-term stability.”
This is a clear advantage, especially for automated panorama recordings and integration into meteorological systems.
What Sets ROUNDSHOT Apart from Conventional Webcams
ROUNDSHOT deliberately operates in a segment that goes far beyond the capabilities of a conventional webcam. While standard webcams are typically designed for static surveillance or simple live image tasks, ROUNDSHOT targets customers who expect significantly more: high-resolution panoramas, long-term reliability and a system that operates around the clock in all weather conditions. With innovative camera technology, robust construction and well-thought-out software integration, ROUNDSHOT sets new standards in professional outdoor imaging.
Many ROUNDSHOT customers come from tourism, mountain railways, weather services or international destinations. They are not looking for a simple camera. They require a system that performs under extreme conditions, delivers consistently high image quality and can be seamlessly integrated into existing hardware and software environments. This demand led directly to the need to use high-quality cameras and lenses that can guarantee this performance over the long term.
Why FUJIFILM?
The collaboration between ROUNDSHOT and FUJIFILM began in 2019. Initially, several brands were evaluated – with a focus on image quality, durability, compatibility and low-light performance. In the end, the decision was clear: FUJIFILM.
Compact Design Thanks to the X-Trans Sensor
The FUJIFILM X-Trans CMOS sensor delivers very high image quality while allowing for a compact lens design. For ROUNDSHOT, this meant smaller, more stable and longer-lasting camera systems for continuous outdoor use.
The FUJIFILM X-T5 is used together with the XF10–24mm F4 R OIS WR for the ROUNDSHOT Livecam.
Lenses That Maintain Focus While Zooming
A distinctive feature of FUJIFILM lenses:
the lens remains perfectly stable while zooming – a prerequisite for a perfectly stitched panoramic image.
Mount Säntis as a panoramic live image, accessible in the free ROUNDSHOT app “Livecam global”.
Low-Light Performance That Convincingly Delivers
For ROUNDSHOT, night-time image quality was a key criterion. The FUJIFILM X-T series – especially the FUJIFILM X-T5 – delivers colour-stable, clear and low-noise images even in very low light conditions.
Uncomplicated, Personal Support
A decisive factor in the collaboration between ROUNDSHOT and FUJIFILM from the very beginning was open and direct communication. FUJIFILM made the required SDK readily available and supported the integration with technical assistance on software and firmware topics. Particularly valuable was the direct exchange between the teams in Switzerland and Japan, which made it possible to implement individual ROUNDSHOT requirements quickly and precisely. Since the 1960s, FUJIFILM has been represented in the Swiss market by the CHROMOS Group AG – this long-standing proximity further facilitates cooperation.
This led to the development of customised firmware versions optimally tailored to the continuous operation of the ROUNDSHOT livecams. The collaboration was further strengthened through joint testing at FUJIFILM’s European service centres in Bedford and Kleve. For ROUNDSHOT, this close cooperation was the key to developing a long-term, reliable B2B solution.
From the FUJIFILM X-T3 to the X-T5: A Growing Partnership
The technical collaboration between ROUNDSHOT and FUJIFILM evolved step by step. After initial tests and evaluations in 2019, the FUJIFILM X-T3 became the first camera system to be officially deployed in the livecams in 2020. In 2022, the next milestone followed: the introduction of the FUJIFILM X-T5, which today serves as the standard camera in the ROUNDSHOT Livecam.
A Special Location: Mount Säntis
The installation on Mount Säntis is an impressive example of how demanding yet valuable the deployment of a ROUNDSHOT livecam can be. For more than 150 years, the mountain station has served as a weather station – today complemented by high-resolution real-time images from the ROUNDSHOT livecam, which are also transmitted to MeteoSwiss.
For the Säntis Cableway, the camera is a central tool for providing guests with up-to-date weather conditions, visibility information and operational updates. And for countless hikers, tourists, mountain enthusiasts, photographers and weather observers, the day often begins with a glance at this live image – a window into the impressive alpine world, used worldwide.
More Than Technology: A Collaboration with Heart
The connection between ROUNDSHOT and FUJIFILM goes far beyond shared technology. It is based on trust, openness and a willingness to listen to one another. Both companies share the conviction that reliable image quality and durable systems can only emerge when hardware and software work together perfectly – and when the people behind them are driven by passion.
Looking ahead, further developments are already in sight: new camera generations, more precise lenses, software optimisations, global installations and specialised firmware adaptations for demanding locations. The collaboration is therefore not complete, but continues to evolve.
Behind the Scenes
Our thanks go to all individuals who made this project possible with their expertise and support. Special thanks go to Peter Seitz, Werner Seitz and Urs Krebs of ROUNDSHOT, as well as Michael Wehrli, Head of Technology and Infrastructure at Säntis Cableway AG. We also thank the video production team of NEIGHBORHOOD PRODUCTION GmbH for the professional execution of the film production using the FUJIFILM X-H2S.
The creation of this case study made it possible to precisely document the technology and interaction between ROUNDSHOT and FUJIFILM while also gaining valuable insights into the working processes behind the scenes – both at ROUNDSHOT in Lustdorf and at Säntis Cableway AG on Mount Säntis.
The partnership between ROUNDSHOT and FUJIFILM demonstrates what becomes possible when technical expertise, reliability and a collaborative mindset come together. What began as an initial evaluation has developed into a long-standing partnership that is now visible at locations such as Mount Säntis and many other sites around the world – connecting mountains, cities and countries to offer people new perspectives worldwide.
All images were captured by FUJIFILM Switzerland (CHROMOS Group AG) using the FUJIFILM X-T5 in combination with the XF16–55mm F2.8 R LM WR II.
