Webcams

A good webcam makes online meetings, lessons, and streams much more professional than the built-in camera on a laptop. Here you will find cameras for home and office, models with high frame rates for streaming, and conference cameras that cover an entire room.

How to choose

• Resolution. 720p is sufficient for regular video calls. 1080p is the standard today and provides a clear picture. 2K and 4K are useful for streaming, recording, and when you want to crop the frame without losing quality.
• Frame rate. 30 frames per second are enough for meetings. 60 frames make movements smooth and are preferred for streaming and gaming.
• Auto focus and lighting. Auto focus keeps your face clear when you move. Good automatic light correction helps in rooms with poor or uneven lighting.
• The microphone. Most webcams have a built-in microphone, and models with two microphones capture the voice more clearly and suppress noise.
• Field of view. A narrow angle shows only your face and shoulder, while a wide angle includes the desk or several people around it.
• Purpose. Conference cameras have a wide angle, large coverage, and separate microphones for entire meeting rooms.

What to watch out for

• The privacy cap covers the lens when you are not using the camera.
• The clip should hold securely on your monitor or have a thread for a tripod.
• Light in front, such as a lamp behind the monitor, improves the picture more than a more expensive camera.
• A wide angle is convenient for more people, but when one person is present, it shows the room behind you as well.
• Some cameras allow Windows login with facial recognition – convenient and fast if you use it.
• The length of the cable is important if the computer is under the desk and the camera is on the monitor.

Compatibility

Webcams work immediately with Windows, macOS, and Linux, as well as with meeting, video, and streaming programs. The manufacturer's software allows additional adjustments to the picture, focus, and effects. They connect via USB-A or USB-C – for 4K and 60 frames, it is better to use a USB 3.0 port. Cameras with HDMI output connect to capture cards and are suitable for more professional streaming. For better sound during streaming, add a separate microphone, and for recording from a console – a separate capture device.