In today’s world, there are many ways to connect and share content through social media and streaming platforms. Whether you’re a podcaster, gamer, DJ or anyone else looking to stream video content to your audience, chances are you’re looking for a webcam that can easily capture and deliver your content.
Logitech StreamCam Plus has a streamlined design that mounts easily to a variety of devices, and its high-resolution output will deliver crisp and dynamic video footage, while its microphone captures clear audio. This article includes other options for webcams for streaming depending on your needs, as well as their key features and benefits.
What to know before you buy a webcam for streaming
Resolution
Resolution refers to the number of pixels that can be displayed on a screen. The more pixels, the clearer and more vivid the image. High-definition resolution has become the video standard in recent years, and the most common sizes are 1280 x 720 pixels, or 720p, or 1920 x 1080 pixels, or 1080p, also called Full HD.
While you might want a webcam with a higher resolution, consider that you’ll likely need a computer with a faster processor because it will take more processing power to render and stream the footage. This could be challenging, especially if your internet connection limits your data. You may want to go for a lower resolution if streaming and transfer speed are your primary concerns.
Frame rate
The frame rate is the number of frames per second recorded. The standard frame rates for film and television are 24 or 30 frames per second. In general, the higher the frames per second, the smoother the footage will be. Most webcams can record at 60 frames per second, which means the footage will be very smooth. This is particularly good for streaming video games.
Field of view
The field of view refers to the width of the area a camera can capture with its lens. A 60-degree FOV can capture one person in front of a computer. A camera’s FOV typically ranges from 54-360 degrees. Your ideal FOV depends on the size and width of your space and how many people are in the shot. If you’re streaming a podcast or an event with a crowd, you may want a wider FOV.
Webcam for streaming features
Lens focal length
The lens of the webcam might be a fixed length with a software system to zoom in and out, or it might be a variable length where it can change lengths to zoom. This length is known as focal length and is measured in millimeters. A focal length shorter than the size of the camera’s sensor chip is known as a wide-angle lens, so it’s typically in the range of 24-35 millimeters. A wide-angle lens can capture a wider area of the frame.
Lens aperture
The aperture is the size of the opening in the lens through which light passes to create the image. This is measured in units called f-stops. The smaller the f-stop, the more open the aperture is and the more light will get through, which is helpful in low-light settings. Sometimes videographers and photographers call a lens with an aperture larger than f 2.8 a “fast lens.”
Microphone
You’ll need to capture the audio for your footage as well, and this is where the webcam microphone comes into play. Most webcams have built-in microphones but also have a setting where you can select your computer’s microphone or an external microphone. Some webcams even have a two-microphone setup, which works nicely for capturing concert footage, a podcast where there’s a lot of dialogue or a videoconference or large meeting.
Sensor chip
The webcam sensor chip, or image sensor, is a silicon chip inside the camera which captures the video at a certain resolution. There are a couple of different types of sensors, and they differ in how they capture footage.
A CMOS sensor captures each pixel in the frame one by one, while a CCD sensor captures the entire frame in one shot. The resulting footage doesn’t look that different, but CMOS sensors tend to use more power than CCD sensors, and sometimes the image per frame might look slightly different, depending on which type of sensor your webcam has.
Webcam for streaming cost
Webcams for streaming start at about $70, with higher-end webcams costing up to about $500, depending on your needs.
Webcam for streaming FAQ
Will a webcam give me better image quality than my laptop camera?
A. In general, depending on lighting conditions, a webcam will give you a better-looking image than the integrated camera on your laptop. Webcams record video at a higher resolution.
How do I mount the webcam?
A. Some webcams come with a clip that allows you to mount it onto a monitor or laptop. Most of them can be used with tripods and might even come with a small tabletop tripod.
Which webcam for streaming should I get?
Best of the best webcam for streaming
Logitech StreamCam Plus: available at Amazon
Our take: This webcam delivers quality video at Full HD resolution and still images up to 2.1 megapixels. Its autofocus and face tracking features make it excellent for filming everything from podcasts to live performances.
What we like: Shoots vertical Full HD 9:16 video, perfect for Instagram and Facebook. 78-degree field of view. Two microphones for pro-quality audio.
What we dislike: Doesn’t support 4K, making the price slightly high. Users report that the microphones tend to pick up unwanted noise.
Best bang for your buck webcam for streaming
Razer Kiyo: available at Amazon
Our take: With a built-in ring light, this webcam is capable of 60 frames per second and is perfect for gamers or content creators with additional lighting needs.
What we like: The ring light is dimmable. Compatible with several Razer peripherals for a complete gaming package. Attaches easily to a tripod.
What we dislike: Slightly pricey, and the Pro model even more so. Some users report issues with the ring light and USB connectivity. More involved to set up with a Mac.
Honorable mention webcam for streaming
Logitech C922x Pro Stream: available at Amazon
Our take: This model corrects for low light and has autofocus for crisp image quality, and with a wide field of view and two-microphone array, it’s great for capturing streaming video for podcasts or Twitch livestreams.
What we like: 60 frames per second and 720p video recording. Works easily with MacOS or Windows, including older systems. Glass HD lens.
What we dislike: Some users report that the 60 frames per second setting lags slightly. Doesn’t include a privacy cover.
Adrian Wengenroth is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money
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