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The majority of the laptops come with a built-in webcam but let’s be honest, they are nowhere close to being the best. This is why we saw exponential growth in demand for external webcams during the pandemic. Remote work has become a common practice and so are virtual meetings with video calling. We rely on video calls for connecting with our family and friends as well. This is the reason it makes sense to invest in a good webcam so that you can look your best. It becomes even more important if you want to stream your gameplay or share any kind of content through a webcam.
The good thing is you do not necessarily have to get the most expensive webcam out there unless you have a specific need for that. There are good options across all budget segments. In this article, we will talk about the best webcams for streaming and video calling in 2023.
Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra
The Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra boasts “the largest sensor ever in a webcam”. It has a 1/1.2-inch Sony sensor with an f/1.7 aperture claimed to capture 3.9x more light than other webcams. It should help you with high-quality video feed even in low or dim light conditions. It is capable of converting raw 4K 30fps or 1080p 60 fps footage into uncompressed 4K 24fps, 1440p 30fps, or 1080p 60fps video directly to your stream.
Another specialty of the webcam is its depth of field. It is of great quality and much better than the depth effect you get through software solutions. There is a built-in shutter that covers the lens to ensure complete privacy when your webcam is not in use. It also has a separate physical cover that you can put over the webcam. It has USB 3.0 port and supports both L shape joint and tripod mount options. The bundled braided cable length is 1.5 meters. Razer has priced the Kiyo Pro Ultra at $299.99.
Logitech C920S HD Pro
The Logitech C920S HD Pro is one of the oldest webcams out there. It is almost a decade-old product but still provides great value for money. The webcam supports 1080p resolution at 30fps which is good enough for daily usage. It has a 3-megapixel sensor with a 78-degree field of view and autofocus.
There are in-built dual microphones, a monitor stand, and a USB-A cable (1.5 meters). It has an optional removable privacy shutter. It is certainly not the most feature-rich webcam out there but for a price tag of $60, you cannot go wrong with this one.
Elegato Facecam Pro
Elegato is a well-known name in the game streaming community as its products are used by some of the biggest streamers. The Facecam Pro is a feature-rich webcam aimed at users interested in live streaming their gameplay. It is the only webcam to support 4K 60fps output as other options can do 4K streaming only at 30fps.
It has a 1/1.8” Sony Starvis CMOS sensor with f/2.0 aperture and manual controls. However, there is no bundled physical cover for some reason. The Facecam Pro is priced at $299 which makes it an expensive option. Its non-Pro version i.e. Elegato Facecam costs $149 but has 1080p 60fps maximum resolution output.
Logitech StreamCam
StreamCam is Logitech’s webcam solution for your live streaming and content creation needs. It offers up to 1080p 60fps video output. There is a built-in omnidirectional microphone with a small noise filter for crisp sound recording. It supports auto focus and exposure, AI-enabled face tracking, and built-in electronic image stabilization.
A white LED indicator wil let you know when the webcam is recording. The webcam comes bundled with a tripod mount in addition to the standard monitor mount. The Logitech StreamCam is officially priced at $170 but you can get it for as low as $130 via Amazon.
Insta360 Link
Insta360 Link is a webcam that you should totally consider if your work includes a lot of moving around while the webcam is in use. It has AI-powered features that help you in more than one way. It can lock the frame on you so that even when you move, you are always inside the frame as it pans and tilts accordingly. If you are inactive for 10 seconds, the camera automatically tilts down for privacy measures.
There are various camera modes including portrait mode and desktop mode that you can switch between via gestures. It offers video resolution options between 4K at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps. Other video features include HDR support, auto-exposure, auto-focus, and auto-white balance. There is a USB Type-C port, monitor mount, and tripod mount for an easy connection. If interested, the Insta360 Link will cost you $299.
Logitech Brio 4K
As the name suggests, the Logitech Brio 4K webcam is the company’s offering with 4K video output support. It supports the highest resolution at 30fps but users can also choose from 1080p/720p at 30fps or 60fps. It has HDR technology support and is capable of producing good-quality video even in low-light conditions. The field of view is supported up to 90-degree and it has a clip and privacy shield. The Logitech Brio 4K is currently available for $169.
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