The live video sector is stronger than ever in the last couple of years. Events where hundreds or even thousands of people can gather to watch you play games, do challenges, or just chat. If you want to stand out from the rest of the creators, one of your best options is to make your viewers see you in the highest quality possible. So, if you don't want to complicate your life too much, today we bring you a compilation of the best webcam for streaming orCourse record you some other video for social networks or YouTube.
Important details before buying a webcam
Before showing you the most interesting models of this type of device, you need to know a series of relevant aspects about them.
And it is that not all web cameras are going to adapt to your needs or the type of content you want to do. For example, you wouldn't be making the best choice if you chose a model that shoots in super high resolution if you're looking for that “fluid” feeling in the image that some streamers have. Or, for example, you will need a model that has autofocus if you are going to be moving around the scene a lot.
In short, the most important aspects that you should take into account before buying a webcam are the following:
- Image quality: Whether you want to use this device to stream on Twitch or record videos on YouTube, we recommend that the minimum quality is 1080p. Then, there are some models that manage to reach 4K resolution, which translates into higher image quality. In the case of direct broadcasts, it is difficult to achieve this broadcast quality (you need a very good PC and a large bandwidth) but, even if you broadcast in Full HD, the image quality will be higher if you have a 4K camera.
- fps rate: this parameter will give us the number of images per second that are being displayed through the webcam. This value is also known as fps or Frames Per Second. Watching/streaming at 25 or 30fps is normal, but for a while now many creators have gone for higher rates reaching 60fps. This will make your content look much more "fluid" but it will overload the live if you do not have a good team to transmit.
- exposure and focus: two parameters that directly affect image quality. Exposure is the amount of light that the camera will capture. When we talk about focus, we are referring to the part of the image that will look sharper than the content displayed by the webcam. That these two parameters are adjusted correctly automatically will save you from more than one trouble.
- Sound: It is true that whether you want to go live or record a video, the sound captured by webcam microphones is not the best. We recommend that you opt for a microphone (preferably dynamic) for your content but, if you can't buy it at first, quality audio captured by the webcam microphones will help you a lot. Also, try to place it as close to your mouth as possible, so your voice will be heard more clearly than if it is far away from you.
Best webcam for streaming and YouTube
Having said all of the above, and now that you know a little more about all the key aspects to choose the best option, it is time to choose your new webcam.
We wanted to make the search task a little easier for you among so many options that exist in the market. We have compiled some of the best webcams you can buy on Amazon today.
Microsoft LifeCam Studio
The first model that we want to recommend is, in turn, the cheapest of all with a price of about $70. It's about the webcam Microsoft LifeCam Studio, which is capable of capturing images with 1080p quality, incorporates its own microphone and its lens is wide angle. It also has a simple screen anchoring system, or a tripod thread. This model has face tracking so you're always focused.
BUY THE MICROSOFT LIFECAM STUDIO HEREAVerMedia PW310P
Another model similar to the previous one is this AVerMedia PW310P. The maximum quality that it is capable of capturing is FullHD at 30 fps, it has a microphone and autofocus. It also comes with the CamEngine software, to adjust the parameters of exposure, contrast, sharpness and many more related to image quality. As an addition, it has a small security plate to block the lens when we don't want to be live. The price, therefore, is also similar to the previous one, reaching $79,89.
BUY THE AVERMEDIA PW310P HERELogitech C925e
The manufacturer Logitech is one of the most popular in the webcam sector and will repeat with another model in this collection. Specifically, this is the Logitech C925e a camera that takes images in 1080p at 30 fps, has a system of 2 omnidirectional stereo microphones to improve audio and, of course, automatically corrects both exposure and focus. The price of this model is $83,24.
BUY THE LOGITECH C925E HERELogitech StreamCam
As we told you, this is one of the manufacturers that has the most high-quality webcam models in its catalogue. Another of the models most used by content creators is this Logitech StreamCam, which is capable of recording in FullHD at 60fps. It has automatic focus and exposure, it is super easy to mount and regulate inclination and angle, and it has a dual stereo microphone system. As a curiosity, the connection of this to our computer will be made through a USB-C port. Its price is $119.
BUY THE LOGITECH STREAMCAM HERERazer KiyoPro
One of the models that gives the highest quality before making the leap to a higher resolution is the Razer KiyoPro. It is a FullHD webcam that records at 60 fps but, as an addition, it is capable of capturing HDR video, thus enhancing the colors and dynamic range of the image (yes, this function lowers the frame rate to 30). This wide-angle lens adapts the exposure and focus automatically, it has a simple anchoring system and we only have to connect it to start using it. This model costs $188,90.
SHOP THE RAZER KIYO PRO HERELogitech Brio Stream Webcam
Now yes, with this Logitech Brio Stream Webcam we will make the quality leap to 4K at 30 fps. Of course, this translates into an increase in the price reaching the $176. Of course, it is also capable of capturing images in FullHD at 60 fps. Logitech RightLight 3 with HDR will leave us with a quality in our content with a greater dynamic range and will enhance the colors. We can also customize the viewing angle that we want between 65°-78°-90°.
BUY THE LOGITECH BRIO STREAM WEBCAM HEREAverMedia Live Streamer CAM 513
Finally, within this selection, we have again the manufacturer AverMedia with one of their best models of web cameras. It's about the Live streamer CAM 513, capable of capturing images up to 4K at 30 fps or 1080p at 60 fps. It has a large 94º field of view, automatic exposure and focus adjustments, as well as a series of filters and proprietary effects from the manufacturer. The price of this model goes up to $235.
BUY THE AVERMEDIA LIVE STREAMER CAM 513 HEREHowever, if after having seen all these webcams none has convinced you, you can always opt for use your own camera as a webcam. To do this, you will most likely need to add an additional video capture to connect to your computer. Some models that may be interesting for you are the production tables ATEM by Blackmagic Or, if you don't want to spend so much money, a much cheaper option like the one we show you in this video on our YouTube channel.
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