Best webcams of 2023
Contents:
• A good quality webcam is a necessary accessory for adults and young users. You can't do without it while talking with friends and relatives, or chatting with colleagues at work or school, or conferences with your boss. It is an indispensable tool for video conferencing, blogging and streaming.
• In the ranking of the best webcams of 2023, I have collected models that will be useful to a wide variety of audiences – from remote employees to dreaming of a blogging career.
10. Creative Live! Cam Sync 1080
- Resolution (video): 1920×1080
- Maximum Frame Rate: 30Hz
• The classic "brick" model, which is mounted on the monitor. The mount itself is non-removable, but with a hole for a screw, if you want to securely fix it on a tripod. The camera is rotary, it can be rotated both up and down and left and right.
• You should not expect an outstanding picture quality – this is a regular good quality webcam that will show your face to the boss at a remote meeting in detail – but nothing more. And the lighting must be good, otherwise the facial features will come out blurry. There is no autofocus either, so you have to think carefully about its location.
Pros and cons good and clear sound wide viewing angle no auto focus requires adjustment through a third-party application9. Canyon CNS-CWC5
- Resolution (video): 1920×1080
- Maximum Frame Rate: 30Hz
- Number of microphones: 1
- Focus: automatic
• Amazingly, many more expensive cameras don't have autofocus, but the reasonably priced Canyon CNS-CWC5 does! As well as the noise canceling function of the microphone, as well as the 360° turn and a large viewing angle that can comfortably accommodate two people.
• But the light sensitivity is mediocre – you need a light source, but not above the camera itself – it will light up. But: for the camera to work well, the latest drivers from the manufacturer's website plus a little tweaking are required.
Pros and consexcellent combination of price / functionalitywide viewing angleautofocusaverage sound qualitylow light sensitivity8. ASUS C3, 90YH0340-B2UA00
- Resolution (video): 1920×1080
- Maximum Frame Rate: 30Hz
- Number of microphones: 2
- Focus: automatic
• Looking for a webcam with a good microphone? Asus has it. In addition to good sound, the camera has many other advantages: good light sensitivity without excessive noise, FHD resolution, wide dynamic range.
• For an excellent picture of almost studio quality, you will have to think about backlighting – thoughtful lighting plus a sensitive matrix and lens will achieve photographic clarity. A nice touch: the camera will work right out of the box, the default settings are so well thought out.
• The C3 90YH0340-B2UA00 has one feature – a very wide viewing angle. That is, it will be visible not only to you, but also to most of the room.
Pros and cons high-quality sound easy to install and use no auto focus very wide viewing angle7. Logitech VC Brio Ultra HD Pro
- Resolution (video) 4096 × 2160
- Maximum Frame Rate: 90Hz
- Connection: USB 3.0
- Number of microphones: 2
- Focus auto focus
• A good PC webcam that shoots in 4K Ultra HD at 30 fps, HD 1080p at 30 or 60 fps, or 1280x720 at 90 fps. But this is not the only advantage of BRIO – it is also qualitatively made with the expectation of professionals and workers who need a reliable connection and an excellent picture for seminars and video conferences.
• The image quality is outstanding, as good as business laptops. I will also add auto focus, a fivefold digital zoom, Real Light 3 adaptation technology, etc. here.
• So that such a camera does not cost like an airplane, the manufacturer decided to save money – and a camera mount (it is specific) and a protective shutter (flimsy) went under the knife.
Pros and cons4K resolution tripod included inconvenient mount6. A4Tech PK-935HL
- Resolution (video) 1920 × 1080
- Maximum Frame Rate: 30Hz
- Connection: USB 2.0
- Focus manual focus
• It's not often that there are inexpensive products on the market that give more than expected for their price. A4Tech PK-935HL is one such camera. Its resolution is FHD, the picture is good, sharp, clear – a cut above its price counterparts.
• The viewing angle is 75 degrees – quite enough for video conferencing and video chats. According to the manufacturer, the camera lens is protected from optical distortion. Universal mount PK-935HL is suitable for conventional PCs with LCD or CRT monitors and laptops.
• By default, the settings are quite suitable, plugged in and started working. The camera can be rotated 360 degrees horizontally and 40 degrees vertically.
• Of the useful features, I note the possibility of manual autofocus.
Pros and consexcellent price / quality ratio of the picture works out of the box according to reviews, the sound is “like from a barrel”, it is better to use with a third-party microphone not the smallest – 8 cm wide5. Logitech Stream Cam
- Resolution (video): 1920×1080
- Matrix: 2 MP
- Maximum Frame Rate: 60Hz
- Number of microphones: 2
- Focus: automatic
• A small white (or black, as you prefer) camera will help you not only communicate with colleagues or friends, hold an online video conference, but also broadcast the gameplay live. Even the unpost-processed footage shot by StreamCam is very good – excellent color balance and autofocus.
• I will add that for a high-quality picture, the device does not even need to be configured – just put it next to the computer, turned it on, and that's it. True, the image of this model is slightly darker than the third place in the rating, Razer Kiyo Pro, and not so clear, but the price is also lower. And low lighting is pulled out by both cameras.
• For streamers, the Logitech StreamCam has a lot to offer – autofocus, smart white balance, face tracking, frame rates up to 60 per second, and optional 9:16 cropping. It can be mounted on a tripod, and the camera has a fast USB-C port.
Pros and Cons Lots of tools for streamers Auto focus Face tracking Weak proprietary microphone4 Elgato Facecam
- Resolution (video): 1920×1080
- Connection: USB 3.0
- OS Compatibility: Windows, MacOS
• That we are all about budget webcams and all sorts of economy versions. It's time to move to a higher class, top webcams. I present to your attention a chic, studio quality Elgato Facecam.
• The purchase, of course, is niche – the camera is aimed at professional streamers, for whom the creation of video content gives a piece of bread and butter. Equipped with Elgato Facecam glass lens, photo quality, FHD resolution at 60 fps, one of the best image capture and processing technology in the field, field of view up to 82° and other professional streamer joys.
• There is a minus in the abundance of settings and advancement – just like that, out of the box, the camera will not work. It must be adjusted, otherwise there will be color distortions. Well, the device does not come with a microphone – it is assumed that a studio camera needs a special microphone, also a studio one.
Pros and consGlass studio lens Multiple customization optionsExcellent FHD video at 60fps No mic3. Razer Kiyo Pro
- Resolution (video): 1920×1080
- Maximum Frame Rate: 60Hz
- Number of microphones: 1
- Focus: automatic
• Kiyo Pro entered the Raiser family of webcams quite recently, but has already attracted attention. This is a truly versatile mid-range camera. The price is not budget, but look at the picture without pixelation, at the data transfer rate, at the abundance of settings, at the detachable cable, mount and protective shutter included! With this functionality, the Razer Kiyo Pro is suitable for everything from work meetings to live streaming anywhere on Twitch.
• The image quality for a webcam in this price range is outstanding. The dynamic range is wide, autofocus works like a Swiss watch, noise handling can withstand even streaming data in the twilight. In the settings, you can set three options for the field of view for streams, and also choose between FHD and 60 fps for recording gameplay or HDR mode when meeting in Zoom.
Pros and consSmooth FHD video at 60 fpsHDR set excellent picture at dusk difficult to turn firmware problems, there are defective copiesprice2. Logitech HD Webcam C310
- Resolution (video): 1280×720
- Maximum Frame Rate: 30Hz
- Connection: USB 2.0
- Number of microphones: 1
• And this is an option for those who want to save money, for example, office employees who would like to contact their colleagues via Zoom or Skype with relatives from a distance. And that the quality of the image of their physiognomy on the screen was acceptable – but nothing more.
• And although the Logitech HD Webcam C310 shoots a picture only in 720p format, which, you see, is not much in 2022, it does have a bonus – automatic light correction technology (RightLight). Therefore, you will always be seen in the right light!
• And the microphone at the camera is noise-canceling, so nothing will interfere with the transmission of working information – even cars passing outside the window during rush hour. Yes, this camera is not suitable for streamers, but for simple knowledge workers who want to save money, it is priceless.
Pros and consprice auto light correction only 720p resolutionmicrophone mono1.Logitech C920
- Resolution (video): 1920×1080
- Matrix: 3 MP
- Maximum Frame Rate: 30Hz
- Number of microphones: 2
- Focus: automatic
• The old horse does not spoil the furrow: the Logitech C920 has been leading the various ratings of webcams for computers for ten years now, and it does not get worse with time. It is adored by customers: content creators, all kinds of influencers, streamers and even office professionals.
• Why is she so popular?
- Firstly, it is easy to set up, or rather, almost no settings are required. All the work – I took it out of the box and connected it to a PC. All.
- Second, the quality of the materials. Logitech is a company with a long history in the PC accessories market, and most of its products are made to last.
- Thirdly, look at this price – in the list of good inexpensive webcams, the Logitech C920 simply has no competitors.
• Although she was already ten years old. Fourthly, its image quality is at its best: a clear and detailed picture in FHD resolution, image correction depending on lighting and color. Although the veteran is already on the heels of a new favorite – the modern Razer Kiyo Pro, the third place in the ranking. But the Logitech C920 differs from it in price – and for the better.
Pros and consexcellent shooting in low lightFHD resolution, although FHD, but not at 60 fps, only vertical adjustmentWhat is the best webcam for a computer
Goal setting
• The first step is to decide why you need a webcam at all. If your choice is communication with colleagues remotely or buying a camera for educational purposes, then you can buy any of the best budget webcams: do not spend rubles on excesses, the main thing is that facial features are distinguishable, and the voice is transmitted without distortion, and that's enough. But if you make video presentations and seminars, or even dream of becoming a streamer, then you need a completely different camera – semi-professional quality.
Matrix type
• Perhaps the most important feature. As a rule, there are two types of models in stores: with CCD and CMOS matrices.
• CCD is better in picture quality, but also more expensive. You rarely see them in domestic cameras, they are reserved for video surveillance.
• CMOS are inexpensive, more common in consumer devices, but they also have more noise.
Resolution
• As a general rule, the higher the better. Please also note that some unscrupulous manufacturers indicate a resolution higher than the matrix is \uXNUMXb\uXNUMXbcapable of giving out – i.e. they pass off post-processed frames as "true" resolution.
• I'll leave the question of ethics behind the scenes, the main thing you need to know here is that FHD resolution (1280 x 960) starts from a 1,2 MP matrix. It is quite enough for domestic needs. UHD (3840 x 2160) is already a high class with a matrix of 8 MP, and models with it cost accordingly.
Focusing
• Fixed autofocus – imagine that the camera can only "look" at one point. So that's where your face should be. As for the quality of the picture, then how lucky.
• There are models with initially good settings, you need to read user reviews and expert articles. As a rule, such cameras are sensitive to lighting and require help in the form of a well-thought-out arrangement of light sources – otherwise the color reproduction will be lame and noise will appear. Sometimes "improved" cameras with fixed autofocus have a backlight – it allows you to compensate for the weakness of aperture.
Manual setting
• This option is rare for home cameras. With light sensitivity they have better, but you have to tinker with the adjustment. Again, during a stream or conference, you need to sit in one place, as the focus will not be able to adjust to your movement.
Auto focus
• They are usually equipped with devices of the middle and higher price range. As a rule, the aperture ratio of such webcams is higher; they will be able to transmit an adequate image even in twilight. Very advanced models have face tracking.
Viewing angle
• For domestic use – for example, conferences or talking with relatives – 45 ° is enough (at least no one will notice the socks scattered on the sofa). 70° is already a home office. 90° – teleconference. Some cameras offer the ability to change viewing angles depending on the situation.
Data transfer
• Everything is simple here: wire or no wire. Wired is better for home, wireless – for outdoor videoconferencing. Cameras of the second type can be connected via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
• The data rate for wired models depends on the port. USB 2.0 is enough for domestic needs, but Full HD at a frame rate of 30 per second, it is unlikely to pull. If you want more resolution, you will have to take care of USB 3.0 and, of course, good internet.
Microphone
• Alas, sound transmission from webcams is still lame – they are still far from a stationary separate microphone. However, for regular work meetings, the built-in microphone will do. And if you want more, you will have to think about either high-end cameras or buying a separate microphone.
