The Logitech Brio 500 is essentially an upgraded version of the beloved C920s HD Pro. It shoots the same quality of video, but it has a wider FOV, an upgraded zoom, improved auto-light correction and a USB-C connecting cable. But unless you’re spending hours on video calls each day or streaming multiple times each week, you can settle on a budget webcam and safely skip most of those high-end options. Spending $150 or more means you might get advanced features like 4K resolution, vertical and horizontal recording options, stereo mics, customizable video settings and more. If the webcam has the same resolution as the internal one on your laptop, you should look out for other specs like auto light correction, a wider field of view or an extra-long connecting cable that can provide a step-up in quality or ease of use. Most external webcams that are just good enough to be a step up from your computer’s built-in camera cost between $60 and $150. The former can help you stand out in a dark room, while the latter makes it so hackers can’t view you through your webcam without your knowledge. We recommend clipping your webcam to your monitor and ensuring that it’s at or slightly above eye level.Ī few webcams go above and beyond by adding hardware extras like built-in lights and lens covers, too. But unless you really like having people stare up your nose, the latter isn’t ideal. Some have the ability to swivel or screw onto a tripod stand and others can simply sit on your desk beside your computer. Most are round or rectangular devices that clip onto a monitor or your laptop screen. There aren’t a ton of fascinating breakthroughs when it comes to external webcam design. While audiophiles and streamers will want to invest in a standalone microphone, most others can get by using a webcam’s built-in mic. Some even use noise-reduction technology to keep your voice loud and clear. Check to see if the model you’re considering has mono or stereo mics, as the latter is better. ![]() Most webcams have built-in microphones that, depending on your setup, might end up being closer to you than your computer’s own mics. If you don’t have bright lights, or often take calls in places where you can’t control the lighting, this feature will be valuable. This will adjust the camera’s settings to make up for a dimly lit room. You’ll also see other “auto” features listed in webcam specs, most notably auto light correction. This used to be a feature only available on the most premium webcams, but now you can find it on sub-$200 devices. Similarly to Apple’s Center Stage feature, the camera automatically adjusts to keep you in the center of the frame even as you move around. In the same vein is auto framing, a feature that some high-end webcams now offer. Devices with fixed focus are less convenient, but they tend to be more affordable. ![]() Some standalone webcam models let you manually adjust focus, too, if you have specific needs. You should be able to move around, step back and forth, and remain in focus the whole time. Webcams with autofocus will keep the image quality sharp without much work on your part. Valentina Palladino / Engadget Autofocus and other “auto” features On the flip side, more expensive webcams may let you adjust the field of view to be even wider than average. They won’t show as much of your background, but that also means you won’t be able to squeeze as many friends or family members into frame when you’re having Zoom birthday parties. On cheaper webcams you’ll usually see narrower fields of view (around 60 degrees), and those aren’t necessarily bad. Most webcams I tested had a default field of view of around 78 degrees, which captured me and enough of my background to prove that I really need to organize my home office. Ultimately, with 4K webcam shots having such limited use, most people can get by with a solid 1080p camera.įield of view (FOV) controls how much can fit in the frame when you’re recording. When it comes to streaming, Twitch maxes out at 1080p video, but YouTube added 4K live streaming back in 2016. Not to mention most video conferencing services like Zoom, Google Meet and Skype don’t even support 4K video. Some webcams can shoot in 4K, but that’s overkill for most people. ![]() However, if your primary concern is better picture quality during video calls, 1080p is the way to go. If you’re considering a cheap 720p webcam, make sure to get one that supports at least 30fps (most will) or, even better, 60fps. FHD webcams will give you better video quality ideally, you’re looking for something that can handle 1080p at 60fps or 30fps. While some newer computers have 1080p webcams, most built-in cameras have a resolution of 720p, so you’ll want to look for an external webcam that’s better than that. ![]() What to look for in a webcam Resolution and field of view
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