Webcams are built with a variety of resolutions and frame rates, so it can be confusing to know what level of quality you need streaming. This article provides some guidance on the best webcam for streaming, depending on your situation.
The best webcam for streaming should have the following qualities:
- Low compression (high bit depth) > best for chroma keying, best picture quality.
- Lowest compression (highest bit depth): 8 – 10 bpp; your viewers will see the best result on their end
- A faster frame rate allows your viewers to see more detail (e.g., facial expressions) and reduces motion blur.
- The best resolution for chroma keying; best quality of the picture
- Automatic exposure best for streaming; best picture quality
- Automatic white balance best for streaming; best color rendition
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Here is a list of the various best webcam for streaming:
1) Razer Kiyo
Razer Kiyo webcam has good picture quality and supports up to 1440p resolution and is one of the best webcams for streaming. It has automatic exposure and white balance/ color rendition, but it does not have the lowest compression. Razer Kiyo webcam is compatible with PC only (*not recommended for PS4 Pro consoles because of low framerate). It has auto color rendition, low compression (10 bpp), and the highest framerate of all cams tested.
2) Logitech c920
This webcam is very popular with Twitch streamers. It’s also compatible with Macs, PCs, Linux, PS4 Pro consoles, Xbox One X consoles*, Nintendo Switch* (*requires USB-A to USB-C cable). It is one of the best webcams for streaming because it has good picture quality, auto white balance/ color rendition, low compression (10 bpp), and the highest framerate of all cams tested.
3) Logitech c922x
Logitech c922x webcam is the same as c922 except that it has a built-in background removal feature. The background removal feature can simplify your workflow because you don’t need a chroma key to remove the background. But, be aware that this feature requires a 1080p30 or 720p60 quality setting (lower framerate), which reduces detail compared to higher framerate (e.g.60 fps vs. 30 fps).
4) Logitech c615
This is one of the best webcams for streaming because it has good picture quality, low compression (10 bpp), and the second-highest framerate of all cams tested. This webcam is also compatible with Macs, PCs, Linux, PS4 Pro consoles*, Xbox One X consoles*, and Nintendo Switch* (*requires USB-A to USB-C cable).
5) Logitech 4k Pro
Logitech 4k Pro webcam is one of the best webcams for streaming because it has better picture quality than the c920. But, it does not have automatic exposure and white balance/ color rendition, which means you need to adjust these settings manually for different scenes. Logitech 4k pro webcam is compatible with Macs, PCs, Linux*, PS4 Pro consoles, Xbox One X consoles (*requires USB-A to USB-C cable).
6) Logitech Brio
Logitech Brio webcam is one of the best webcams for streaming because it has better picture quality than c920. It also has automatic white balance/ color rendition, low compression (10 bpp), and a very high frame rate of 60fps. It supports up to 4K resolution. But, be aware that it does not support automatic exposure.
7) Microsoft LifeCam
It is an HD3000 webcam that has good picture quality, but it does not have automatic exposure and color rendition. However, it has low compression and supports up to 1080p resolution. Microsoft LifeCam HD3000 webcam is compatible with Macs, PCs, Linux*, PS4 Pro consoles (*not recommended for Xbox One X consoles because of low framerate).
8) Logitech c922
Logitech c922 is the same as c922x except that it does not have a built-in background removal feature. You can disable the background removal feature in Logitech c922 and c922x webcams by pressing “CTRL + M” on your keyboard when you access camera settings in OBS.
9) Razer Stargazer
Razer Stargazer webcam is one of the best webcams for video calls because it supports up to 1080p resolution and has very good picture quality. It also has automatic exposure and white balance/ color rendition, low compression (10 bpp), and a very high frame rate of 60 fps. Razer Stargazer webcam is compatible with PCs only.
Conclusion
If you are looking to stream on Twitch, YouTube, or any other streaming service, then a webcam like the Razer Kiyo is ideal for high definition streaming at 30 fps. This would be considered the gold standard of webcams for recording videos because it has 1080p picture quality, autofocus and is designed specifically for gaming. If you can afford one, then don’t hesitate to get the Razer Kiyo
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