If you’re a streamer, you know that having a good webcam is crucial for creating high-quality content. Over the past five years, I’ve tested dozens of webcams that have been marketed to streamers, from cheap $50 Logitech C920 competitors to $200 “premium” webcams and everything in between. However, today, we’re taking a look at a camera that pushes the premium price tag even higher.
Introducing the Facecam Pro, a $300 webcam from Elgato that promises to raise the bar of what a webcam is capable of. But with a price point this high, you may be wondering if it’s worth the investment, especially when entry-level mirrorless cameras are available for just a little more.
In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the Elgato FaceCam Pro and see if it’s worth the investment.
The Elgato Facecam Pro is a premium webcam that offers 4K60 resolution using a large 1/1.8-inch Sony Starvis sensor. It delivers exceptional image quality and is designed for streamers and content creators who demand the best.
- Excellent image quality (4K60)
- Lots of control through Camera Hub software
- Autofocus option
- No Built-in Microphone
Camera Performance
Image Quality
The Elgato FaceCam Pro’s standout feature is its ability to capture in 4K60, which is a resolution of 3840×2160 and 60 frames per second. This is a unique selling point for the FaceCam Pro, as other 4K webcams like the AVerMedia Live Streamer Cam 513 and the Insta360 Link only capture up to 30fps in 4K.
However, whether or not you need 4K in a webcam is really down to how you use it, especially since Twitch is limited to 1080p streams. That being said, the 4K capabilities of the FaceCam Pro can be useful for content creation needs, such as shooting higher-production YouTube videos or making use of the extra vertical resolution for TikTok videos, Reels, or Shorts.
One of the benefits of the 4K capabilities is that it allows you to digitally punch in on a 1080p stream without sacrificing quality. It’s worth noting that you can also stream to YouTube in 4K60, but there are rumors that YouTube might soon be locking 4K viewing behind their premium membership, so the usefulness of this feature may be limited in the future.
Low-Light Performance
The Elgato FaceCam Pro uses a larger 1/1.8-inch Sony Starvis sensor compared to its predecessor, which uses a 1/2.5-inch sensor. The larger sensor should result in greater dynamic range and better noise performance even in low light conditions.
To put this to the test, we took some side-by-side examples with the original Elgato Facecam in various lighting scenarios:
- Ideal lighting – Key and Fill lights light the subject.
- No lighting – Just the monitor lighting the subject.
- Worst case lighting – No lights on, window blinds open.
Under ideal lighting conditions, with a key and fill light, the Elgato Facecam Pro performs exceptionally well, producing much better skin tones and delivering sharpness and extra detail thanks to its 4K image capabilities.
Even in low light conditions, the Elgato Facecam Pro manages to outperform the original Facecam, doing a decent job of balancing exposure and skin tones. This is especially impressive considering the dark room scenario, where only the monitors provided light for the test.
In the challenging scenario where the window shutters were open and no lights were on, both the Elgato Facecam Pro and the original Facecam struggled to produce a good image, with overexposed light from outdoors and underexposed skin indoors. It’s clear that webcams aren’t ideal for this type of situation.
While the Facecam Pro does perform better in low-light scenarios, it’s important to note that it’s not a replacement for proper lighting equipment. To achieve the best image quality, it’s recommended that you use additional lighting to ensure the subject is lit properly.
If you’re looking to enhance the colors of your webcam with some easy-to-apply LUT filters, be sure to check out my guide on 30 FREE Webcam LUTs for Streamers.
Autofocus and Focus Range
One of the new features of the Elgato FaceCam Pro is autofocus, which was not included in the original FaceCam. Elgato made a big deal about not including autofocus in the original FaceCam, as it was believed to provide a better experience for streamers. However, due to popular demand, autofocus has been added to the FaceCam Pro.
With the FaceCam Pro, you can either enable autofocus or disable it and set the focus distance manually. While the autofocus feature is useable, it’s worth noting that it’s not as advanced as what you would get with a mirrorless camera or a phone camera.
We noticed some focus hunting from time to time, but if you need the autofocus function when holding things up to your stream or moving around your room, it can certainly be useful. Overall, the autofocus feature is a nice addition to the FaceCam Pro, but it’s not a game-changer.
Field of View
The Elgato FaceCam Pro has a 90-degree field of view (FOV), which is wider than the 82 degrees of its predecessor, the FaceCam. However, it’s worth noting that the FOV of the FaceCam Pro is not as wide as what you can get with some of AVerMedia’s webcams, for example.
That being said, the field of view is completely subjective, and it really depends on personal preference. Some people like a super wide look where they can show off loads of their background, while others prefer something more narrow. We think that 90 degrees is a smart choice by Elgato to appeal to the mass market.
Design and Build Quality
Size, Materials, and USB-C
The Elgato Facecam Pro is a large webcam, but this is necessary to house the larger sensor and cool the internal components. It’s more wide and deep than it is tall, so it doesn’t actually look too big once mounted above your monitor. The design is sleek and clean, with a black body made mostly of plastic and some metal. The rear of the body is vented to help cool the components, which is important for long streaming sessions.
The build quality of the Facecam Pro feels solid, with no flexing in the plastic under pressure. It’s clear that Elgato has put a lot of thought into the design and construction of this webcam. The materials used feel high-quality and durable, which is important for a device that will be used frequently.
On the body of the Facecam Pro, there’s a USB-C connection to connect to your PC or Mac. It’s important to note that this requires USB 3.0 or higher and a Type C connection. There’s also a little blue LED on the front which indicates when the camera is in use.
No Built-in Microphone
It’s important to note that similar to its predecessor, the Elgato Facecam Pro does not include a built-in microphone. This means that you’ll need to use a separate microphone. While this may seem like a drawback, it’s important to remember that webcams are primarily designed for video capture, and the microphones included with most webcams are often of poor quality.
If you’re looking for a high-quality microphone to use alongside your Elgato Facecam Pro, we have a variety of microphone reviews available on our website. Alternatively, if you already have a microphone and want to get the best possible sound out of it, we have a guide available that shows you how to use the advanced mic settings and filters included in OBS.
Mounting Options
The Elgato Facecam Pro offers a variety of mounting options to suit your streaming setup. It can be easily mounted on top of your monitor using the included clip, which is a convenient option for many users. This clip includes an adjustable hinge that helps you achieve the perfect angle for your webcam framing.
Alternatively, the clip can be removed and the Facecam Pro can be placed on a tripod or Multi Mount via the industry-standard 1/4-inch thread.
Software and Compatibility
Elgato Camera Hub
The Elgato FaceCam Pro can make great use of Elgato Camera Hub, which is still one of the best webcam software available. In fact, it’s embarrassing how bad some of the competitor apps still are.
With Elgato Camera Hub, you can control various settings, including the field of view, contrast, saturation, auto/manual focus, shutter speed, ISO, and white balance of the camera.
Once you’re happy with your settings, you can save them physically to the device. This means that even if you restart your computer or move to a different one entirely, those settings will still be there as the default for that camera.
Compatibility with Windows and MacOS
The Elgato Facecam Pro is a versatile webcam that works seamlessly with both Windows and MacOS operating systems, making it a great option for a wide range of devices. However, if you plan to use it with a laptop, it’s important to note that the webcam may be too large to mount onto a thin screen.
Elgato Facecam Pro vs Mirrorless Camera
When considering webcams at this price point, it’s important to compare them to entry-level mirrorless camera setups. One such camera is the Sony a5100 with its stock lens, which is often recommended as a budget mirrorless camera for streaming.
The Sony a5100 is one of the cheapest cameras that use interchangeable lenses, can be powered indefinitely, and has a clean HDMI output. Although the stock lens is not the best, the image produced is far superior to any webcam image I’ve seen. The overall image is a much better representation of what my room actually looks like, with better skin tones, brightness, and color accuracy.
Despite the advantages of the Sony a5100, there are additional costs to consider. To use it as a webcam, you’ll need a capture card, a dummy battery power source, a tripod or stand to mount it on, and an HDMI cable. These additional costs can easily add up to $100-200.
While the Sony a5100 may produce better image quality than the FaceCam Pro, it’s important to consider the additional costs and equipment needed to use it as a webcam. If you’re looking for a plug-and-play webcam that delivers high-quality video without any additional equipment, the FaceCam Pro is an excellent option to consider.
Summary
So, is the Elgato Facecam Pro worth the investment of $300? As with most things, it depends on your individual use case and financial situation.
If you’re just starting out or the thought of spending $300 on a webcam makes you uneasy, there are better value options available starting from $50 and up, or you can even use your phone’s camera.
If you’re considering a $300 webcam but think you might eventually want to upgrade to an interchangeable lensed mirrorless camera, it may be worth saving up for the latter. With a mirrorless camera, you’ll have a more versatile camera that can be used for any kind of content creation, both indoors and outdoors. Plus, you’ll be able to upgrade things like lenses in time as you grow.
Ultimately, if you’re looking for a plug-and-play webcam that delivers exceptional image quality and works seamlessly across both PC and Mac, the Facecam Pro is definitely an option worth considering. It’s a versatile camera that can be used for both streaming and content creation.
The Elgato Facecam Pro is a premium webcam that offers 4K60 resolution using a large 1/1.8-inch Sony Starvis sensor. It delivers exceptional image quality and is designed for streamers and content creators who demand the best.
- Excellent image quality (4K60)
- Lots of control through Camera Hub software
- Autofocus option
- No Built-in Microphone
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Elgato Facecam Pro have autofocus?
The Elgato Facecam Pro has an autofocus option, which is a feature that separates it from the original Facecam. This can be a useful option for streamers who need to move around or hold something up to show their stream. It can also be disabled and the focus distance can be set manually.
What size sensor is the Elgato Facecam Pro?
The Elgato FaceCam Pro uses a larger 1/1.8-inch Sony Starvis sensor. This is larger than the original Facecam which uses a 1/2.5-inch sensor. The larger sensor should result in greater dynamic range and better noise performance even in low light conditions.
Video Review
As with all of our reviews, below we have included a video version if you want to see the device in action.
