In recent years there has been a real boom in gameplay viewing on the major streaming platforms and consequently in the offer of webcams and video cameras. Turning on your webcam, starting a game and sharing your experiences with other people to entertain them has become a common process in the gaming world, to the point that there are titles that have optimized or introduced features suitable for streaming.
Whether you are new to video game streaming or you are looking to evolve your set-up, in this article we have prepared a guide to buying the best webcams and video cameras for streaming, essential for being able to wear your face on your live video content. Going from the cheapest webcams to the most professional and demanding machines, we have made a selection of the best offers available on the major online retailers to offer you an always updated list of the most useful products for your needs. Before starting with our guide to the best webcams and video cameras, you can also consult a buying guide for the best lights, the best microphones and the best streaming accessories.
The best webcams and video cameras for streaming
Logitech C922, budget webcam Razer Kiyo, webcam with built-in ring light Logitech StreamCam, best value for money webcam Elgato Facecam, best webcam for content creators Sony Alpha 6000L, budget camera Panasonic Lumix DC-G100VEG-K DSLM, best value camcorder Sony ZV1, perfect camcorder for vlogging Fujifilm X-T3, best camcorder ever
Logitech C922, the economic webcam
Among the best webcams suitable for streaming, the cheapest available but offering excellent performance is the Logitech C922 , a device that at a price around €90 it still manages to provide its users with all the elements necessary to be able to go live on the major streaming platforms with good quality. The webcam features automatic brightness correction and high-quality autofocus to ensure brilliant image transmission. The supported resolutions are Full HD 1080p at 30 FPS or 720p at 60 FPS, also ideal as a facecam to put on your gameplay. The unit has a small tabletop tripod, which is great for looking for low angle or secondary shots. The C922 also has two built-in omnidirectional stereo microphones. A three-month license for XSplit software is also available inside the package, which is useful for gaming-related recordings and streaming. If you are starting your streaming adventure now, this cam is the one that can get you started in the best way!
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Razer Kiyo, the webcam with ring built-in light
Considerable as an alternative to the Logitech C922, the Razer Kiyo offers the same 1080p at 30 FPS / 720p at 30 FPS performance with the addition of a ring light with adjustable brightness. Autofocus capabilities and microphones are also built into this Razer webcam, although the latter are not very sensitive if the webcam is held at a considerable distance. Included in the purchase are a jack and HDMI 2.0 cable, and the lens is wide-angle for a wider field of view than its Logitech counterpart. The small frame also makes it easy to carry in your pocket, and you can place it on a tabletop tripod although this is sold separately.
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Logitech StreamCam , the best value-for-money webcam
With the Logitech SteamCam we begin to level up for the best webcams and video cameras for streaming, while remaining in the same price range: 1080p at 60 FPS, auto focus, two microphones fronts, stabilizer and universal tripod support included. The SteamCam is even more versatile and useful when used with Logitech Capture software, which can optimize exposure, framing, stabilization and many other useful details for streaming. The device is also rotatable to make vertical videos in 16:9.
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Elgato Facecam, the best webcam for content creators
One brand that certainly goes hand in hand with streaming is Elgato , famous for the numerous products on the market dedicated precisely to life as a creator of live content. The Elgato Facecam is equipped with a 24mm optical system called Elgato Prime Lens , composed of an aspherical surface, low dispersion glass, anti-reflection coating and infrared filter. All this, combined with the Sony STARVIS CMOS sensor, allows this little gem to deliver professionally made content despite its small size. The Full HD 1080p resolution with fluidity at 60FPS travels at ideal speeds for streaming thanks to the USB 3.0 interface with USB-C connector, thus offering the lowest possible latency in data transfer.
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Sony Alpha 6000L, the cheap camcorder
If you want even higher quality and you also plan to record video in addition to streaming, it's time to switch from webcams to useful camcorders for streaming if you have video capture cards. The first proposal we present to you is the Sony Alpha 6000L , a digital mirrorless camera with interchangeable lens based on your streaming needs. The device installs a 24.3 megapixel Exmor APS-C CMOR sensor, a high-resolution OLED Tru-Finder viewfinder, very fast autofocus, integrated flash and 180-degree tiltable 3-inch LCD display designed just to have a preview in case of self-shooting and self-shots. An intriguing feature of the machine is the customizable user interface.
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Panasonic Lumix DC-G100VEG-K DSLM, the best quality-price camcorder
Photos generic The Panasonic Lumix DC-G100VEG-K DSLM is an extremely versatile professional video camera designed for vlogging. The body of the product is compact, handy and light to adapt to the most diverse situations of space and mobility, and is capable of filming in 4K at 60fps. This Lumix then installs Nokia's innovative OZO audio technology which, with the help of 3 integrated microphones, produces a very clean sound whether it is a shot outside a panorama or an interview in a closed environment. The integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections also allow instant sharing of recorded content with the whole world via smartphones and other compatible devices, while the Selfie mode is useful for easily capturing videos on your own, thanks also to the free-angle rear monitor. Also included in the price are the Lumix 12-32 mm lens, perfect for vlogs and the SHGR1 Hand Grip/Tripod with built-in controls for recording, stop, shutter and sleep mode. The best compromise between streaming camera and camera exists and it is this Lumix!
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Sony ZV1, the perfect camera for Vlogs< /h3> At the next level of the best video cameras for streaming we find the Sony Vlog Camera ZV1 , a digital camera with a directional LCD screen ideal for recording live video and vlogs in 4K . Sony has designed this camera specifically for social activities, so much so that it also has a Soft Skin effect to optimize the shooting of faces. The ZV1 package incorporates a 3-capsule directional microphone with windshield, but the unit also features very useful optional accessories such as a bridge-mount microphone or a wireless microphone, or a bluetooth grip for live broadcasts on the go. It would be preferable to use such a device with a capture card, i.e. a video acquisition card, but in the case of the Sony ZV1 it also has connectivity to the PC via USB, optimized for high quality live streaming.
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Fujifilm X-T3, the best camcorder ever
General photos The Fujifilm X-T3 is a light, compact and powerful mirrorless camera lady, which can be used safely even for your streaming needs. The machine is capable of recording in 4K at 2160p with a 26.1 megapixel optical sensor and also has an adjustable touch screen display. The X-T3 allows continuous tracking of moving objects thanks to the X-Processor 4 sensor, has a microphone jack, HDMI and USB ports and you can even connect your smartphone by downloading the Camera Remote app. This app allows you to use your smartphone as a remote control to better adjust the different shooting settings. The most striking thing, especially if you want to make a unique and innovative streaming is the Fujifilm film simulation mode with 16 different effects that have made the history of the film of the well-known brand. Also included in the price is the Fujifilm XF 18-55 lens, which is among the best lenses on the market and with a convenient adapter it can also be mounted on other cameras. Finally, thanks to the ETERNA Film simulation, you will be able to capture every color in the best possible way for truly crazy live broadcasts. It costs a lot but it is the camera most used by photographers or by those who do this job professionally, needless to say that bringing such professionalism to the streaming level is the dream of all those who are on Twitch. Perhaps it's a bit excessive to start with, but if you're on a budget, why not?
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How to choose video cameras and webcams for streaming
Since when in 2020 we have all intensified our online activity, owning a means such as a webcam or video camera is no longer a prerogative reserved for a select few who know the world of live filming, especially when it comes to video games. Nowadays, setting up the transmission of your game sessions in the best possible way is an activity that everyone can do, provided you choose the right equipment and know the bare minimum to enter this world.
What Whether you're streaming on YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, or whatever platform you use to stream your content, the equipment you use can make all the difference in how well you get there. To understand which equipment is best for you, we have prepared a few factors below to take into consideration when you want to buy video cameras and webcams for streaming.
Webcam or video camera?
Let's start immediately from the essentials: what budget do you have and how far are you willing to go? Although there are webcams with great features that can be considered completely professional in the world of streaming, inevitably these are products that can be purchased with less economic effort than a video camera. The video camera has a more evident professional rendering than a simple webcam, however sophisticated and equipped the latter may be.
The choice of a webcam or a video camera in streaming, therefore, is a very subjective factor, mainly dependent on your pockets. However, we want to give advice especially to those who are beginners in this world: try to go step by step, first buying a webcam capable of holding up your limited budget and then, from time to time, replace it with ever better equipment.
Resolution and connection
When you plan to buy webcams and video cameras for streaming, you should always check the type of internet connection you have. The output of your image and the connection frequency are two elements that go hand in hand when it comes to streaming: broadcasting live in 4K at 60 FPS is pure utopia if you don't have a good fast fiber connection, on the other hand if your connection you are forced to transmit at 720p / 30 FPS it is not advisable to buy a good-looking video camera or webcam. Usually on major streaming platforms like Twitch people stream at 1080p or 720p at 60 FPS, so 4K isn't even that much needed. The imperative is to purchase equipment that respects the bitrate of your connection.
We must also bear in mind that in order for some products to work at their best, especially video cameras, there is also a need for accessories that are useful for stream . For example, always budget for the purchase of a video capture card such as the Elgato Cam Link with the purchase of a video camera.
Accessory features
The world of streaming is full of technological newbies, especially if you are oriented towards increasingly professional products. From the normal functions of focus and self-adjustable exposure with a few clicks or even with a single key, up to more sophisticated functions such as the automatic creation of the green screen or the application of animated filters, both webcams and professional video cameras install software and features that can come in handy while streaming, without needing to be a big geek or video editor. Consult carefully the software that can be installed on the PC of the products you are about to purchase to have a more in-depth knowledge of the possible solutions.
Power supply and batteries
While most webcams use the power supply of PCs and consoles through the same cable with which they connect to platforms, video cameras need more complex logistical and technical support between power cables and batteries. In particular, if you run very long streaming sessions, you must also consider that the cameras would need battery backup or adapters for power outlets that you would need to have nearby. Also make sure you have accessory batteries to replace during the run, or alternating with your live shows.
Positioning and available space
While the webcams can be positioned on the edge of your screen , video cameras need an alternative position which, perhaps, is not even in the way of your shooting with stands, mechanical arms or tripods. Therefore, weigh your purchases also on the basis of the space available on your desk and more generally in your room and on the functionality that the different tools can give you. Also consider the power sockets for the video cameras, as well as good cable management for both webcams and more professional products.
Having an orderly workstation, with good cable management, will allow you in fact to optimize the spaces and also the potential of your camera. Changing their position, moving it for a few vlogs and so on, in fact, will be much easier if your workstation is set up correctly.
Price
A fundamental variable in every purchase but which really makes the difference when choosing a webcam or video camera. If you want a decent webcam budget to spend at least 100 euros. Products below this budget will hardly meet your needs and often the qualitative yield will be very low. Video cameras, on the other hand, cost much more, this is because they are actually professional cameras used not only for streaming. If your idea is to equip yourself with one of these tools that can better manage your live shows and is also perfect for everyday shots, then consider a budget of at least 600 euros to bring home a video camera worthy of the name.
