For fun as well as for profit
Livestreaming on platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook is a fun and exciting way to get your voice heard (and earn some money along the way). One of the most important aspects of a livestream is a camera. Whether you’re adding a camcorder, webcam or smartphone camera, your streaming setup will look more professional regardless of the type of camera.
When choosing a camera, it can be difficult to select which one is best, so this guide will help you narrow down the options.
Table of Contents
Microsoft LifeCam HD-3000 ($47.99)
First on the lineup is the Microsoft LifeCam. This is a perfect camera for a stream that’s just starting out. The video quality is decent for the price but this webcam shines with its audio quality.
One great aspect of this camera is the fact that it has the biggest built-in microphone that provides clear quality sound for many studio conditions. Our least favorite part about this webcam is the fact that it can only record 720p quality at 30 FPS (frames per second) instead of the industry standard of 720p at 60 FPS.
Overall though, it’s a fantastic budget pick.
Logitech HD Webcam C615 ($35.58)
This webcam is ideal for someone just starting out on their streaming career. It’s the cheapest one on the list and it provides everything you need to start streaming.
The best part about this camera is the price and the fact that it can record in 1080p at 30 FPS (frames per second) and 720p at 60 FPS with an 8-megapixel camera. It also has 360-degree adjustment options. The worst part about this camera is the fact that it can’t record in 1080p at 60 FPS.
If you’re just starting out, this is definitely your best bet.
Logitech C920 ($63.39)
This camera is a perfect option for anyone, as the Logitech C920 balances performance and budget. This ‘Full HD Glass Lens’ webcam records 1080p video at 30 FPS and 720p at 60 FPS. As opposed to most webcams, this camera also offers a stereo microphone instead of a standard mono input microphone which creates a better sound.
The only downside of this webcam is the fact that it can’t record 1080p quality video at 60 FPS like the Logitech Brio (which is roughly $100 more).
Overall this is one of the best webcams on the market.
Logitech C922 ($78.00)
With the Logitech C922 being $15 more than its C920 counterpart, it’s the next step up to a higher quality stream. The main advantage to the C922 is the fact that the autofocus is professional quality and adjusts for changes in the environment. This camera can record 720p video at 60 FPS and it comes with a tripod!
Although the focus is better, the exposure (how light or dark the picture is) seems to have some issues. Even though it’s a crisp image, the default exposure settings make the picture a bit dark.
When it comes down to it, this is a fantastic camera to use in well-lit studios.
Logitech Brio ($159.99)
The Brio is primarily marketed for work conference calls, but it can record perfectly well for live streams. One of the best features of this webcam is that it can record in 4K video quality up to 30 FPS and can record 1080p quality at 60 FPS. it also has a 5x digital zoom and Facial Recognition!
The main downside of this camera is the bandwidth required to stream at 4K quality is higher than the average household limits. If you have the extra cash to throw in for your camera, this is definitely an option for you.
