Webcams have become the need of the hour in this pandemic era. As a result, more people are working from home and interact with their loved ones online.
But which webcam to go for as there are so many available? We have developed this guide on the best webcams for your convenience to simplify your search, so keep reading.
We will discuss various features you need to consider when buying the best webcams. You should consider buying a webcam with good video and audio quality, versatility, security, privacy, and user-friendliness.
When making a decision, you need to focus on your needs and what you want to achieve with your webcam.
Why do you need a webcam?
Webcams have become more critical than ever in today's pandemic-struck world, where everyone is restricted to their homes. With nowhere to go, it's essential to stay in touch with your friends and work.
The new era of remote work has begun. You need to have the best quality webcam to stay connected with your colleagues and workplace. The same is the case with having those chats with your family and friends.
Finally, you need a good quality webcam to work with. No matter what you need your webcam for, it should be good quality and handle audio and video according to your preferences.
What to look for in a webcam?
Webcams come in all shapes and sizes. And as we have mentioned above, there are so many features that you need to look at when buying the best webcam.
This is important if you are looking to get the most out of your hard-earned money. So here are some features to consider before you seal the deal.
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Resolution
No matter what your purpose of using a webcam is, you have to go for high resolution. It will determine how grainy your images are going to look on the screen.
Make sure to go for at least 720p, but 1080p is the best and is becoming more affordable. So, a 1080p is a better option here.
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Frame rate
With a higher frame rate, your videos are going to be a lot smoother in motion. There won't be many stutters either. This rate is measured in frames per second or "fps."
You have to go for a minimum of 15 frames per second when it comes to streaming videos. 30 frames per second is a better choice that offers affordability and quality, while 60 fps is a high-end choice.
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Lens and exposure
There are different types of lenses, and they all influence the overall performance of a camera. Cheaper lenses are made of plastic, so you should go for glass lenses.
A better choice is a glass lens. These lenses also determine how much light is going to reach the camera sensor. This will directly affect how you will look, even if there is not much light around you.
Exposure is measured in f/(number). You need to go for a lower number because it means that your aperture will be wider. It also means more light will go through the sensor.
Also, keep in mind that you don't need a wider angle if you are going for those closer shots. The field of view of these webcams usually ranges from 65 degrees to 90 degrees.
Therefore, you should go for a middle ground that can range from 75 to 80 degrees.
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Autofocus
Webcams that don't have autofocus are cheaper. And they are going to work pretty well if you sit still right in front of your camera. But as soon as you go out of the range, you will start looking blurry.
The webcams with autofocus are expensive because the lens will automatically adjust to you while sitting close or at a distance.
However, if you do tend to move around during the use of your webcam, then this is a handy feature that you should consider.
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Microphones
Here's a tip to begin with, don't rely on the mic that comes with your webcam. In most cases, it will be a pretty low-quality option and won't provide you with the best sound.
However, you can go for a gaming headset or USB microphone if you're looking for some severe voice recording.
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Recording
If you buy a webcam to record your stuff, you should choose a quality device that can manage 720p or even 1080p. On the other hand, don't go for a webcam with a poor resolution, or your images will be very underwhelming.
The good thing is that 1080p resolution is becoming more affordable, but it still comes with a higher price tag than a 720p device.
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Still image
If you are looking for still images and want them to be somewhat respectable, then at least go for a 2-megapixel camera.
But most of the high-end and modern webcam models come with 15 megapixels imager and can also manage extraordinary results.
Moreover, you will notice that such robust sensors can also manage quality video recording too.
More exciting features to consider
There are some other unique features that you can consider, too, if you are looking to get more out of our webcam. They might not be entirely necessary, but having them is going to add more value.
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Motion sensor
Some of the recent webcam models feature motion sensors in them. Therefore, you can turn your webcam into a security camera. This is going to be a helpful feature if you are sitting in a workspace in particular.
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Special effects
Looking to unleash your creative side, then go for some special effects. Most of the webcams that are available on the market today come with inbuilt special effects.
Some of these special effects are downloadable too. You need to go for the model that is compatible with doing this.
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Design
The design of your webcam is going to impact its versatility directly. Now there are different types of designs available, and you can pick ones based on your preferences.
There are free-standing webcams available. You can also go for clip-on designs with either single hinge, flexible mount, clothespin, and 2 or 3 hinges.
Some designs also come with a tripod mount that you can keep separate from your computer.
Moreover, there are designs with vertical tilt and horizontal rotation available too. They allow different camera angles, and you don't have to detach the camera from its display.
Furthermore, choose a more portable design if you are looking for a device that you can use on the go. It should have a durable construction to handle impacts too.
Webcam system requirements
You must understand that not every webcam is going to work with every operating system. Therefore, you must consider only yet compatible options according to your system.
If you are a Linux or Mac user, you need to be more careful because not every webcam model will be compatible with your OS versions. However, most manufacturers make webcams that are compatible with WinOS. So, be more proactive in your decision-making.
Keep in mind that older operating systems will not be that good with high-definition videos and streaming. Just look at your computer's specs, and then go for the right webcam based on that.