High-quality "Just Works" Conferencing Camera

[MaybeBaby]

Hiya team,

So, I've been on a quest to find a video conferencing camera that isn't your regular Logitech and *insert other similar brands*.

At the moment, I'm using a Sony A7S3 (yes, I know, it's overkill) since I had it at hand, but there are too many situations where it just stops working, and you need to do this whole voodoo ritual in order for it to start working again. I'm extremely happy with the quality, so are the others (it's mandatory because of the type of projects I work on), but it's just too much day-to-day hassle with it.

Apple's continuity camera feature is not an option since it's also extremely fiddly, especially if you jump between different platforms.

Maybe some of the other brands (like Lumix?) work better, or some other Sony series that could act slightly nicer each time I try to start it up (ZV-1)? Ideally, it would be a smaller format (so it can go on my Mika mic arm), but I'm open to suggestions as long as it "just works" with macOS.

What are your experiences and suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[Mactagonist]

We use one of these: https://store.insta360.com/product/link-2

Not much to say about it, it just works great. Looks stupid though. 🤷🏻‍♂️

 

[DaveOP]

I have an Elgato Facecam Pro that's been flawless for me in macOS. On Windows, its a pita and has all sorts of problems. I dont use it through my dock, just plug it in directly as needed and leave it unplugged the rest of the time.

 

[MaybeBaby]

Thanks a bunch, these two flew right over my head for some reason 😅

I'll definitely put them on a short list.

Would love to also try some of the consumer-oriented digital cameras, just need to check which of the brands are the most stable on the software side of things with the Mac OS. Sony definitely doesn't seem like one of them. 😂

 

[Isamilis]

Hiya team,

So, I've been on a quest to find a video conferencing camera that isn't your regular Logitech and *insert other similar brands*.

At the moment, I'm using a Sony A7S3 (yes, I know, it's overkill) since I had it at hand, but there are too many situations where it just stops working, and you need to do this whole voodoo ritual in order for it to start working again. I'm extremely happy with the quality, so are the others (it's mandatory because of the type of projects I work on), but it's just too much day-to-day hassle with it.

Apple's continuity camera feature is not an option since it's also extremely fiddly, especially if you jump between different platforms.

Maybe some of the other brands (like Lumix?) work better, or some other Sony series that could act slightly nicer each time I try to start it up (ZV-1)? Ideally, it would be a smaller format (so it can go on my Mika mic arm), but I'm open to suggestions as long as it "just works" with macOS.

What are your experiences and suggestions?

Thanks!

Curious, why do you avoid logitech brand? I found it pretty stable on my macbook and ipad.

 

[Pressure]

I've heard the OBSBOT Tail 2 should be really good (but also very overkill).

 

[MaybeBaby]

Curious, why do you avoid logitech brand? I found it pretty stable on my macbook and ipad.

Image quality (compared to solutions like the Sony camera I'm currently using) and flexibility/advantages of an FF lens (or just a lens in general).

I've heard the OBSBOT Tail 2 should be really good (but also very overkill).

That's an interesting direction for sure.

Generally, I found that this space of videoconferencing cameras has an offering problem, similar to the baby monitoring and car dashcam industry.

There's a huge potential in making really, really good products, considering the tech that's out there (e.g., sensors, lenses), but it's like they're not trying it (maybe there's no need for it?).

Just put a quality micro four-thirds sensor, compact boxy little camera body (idk, like 4x4x4"), lens mount, tripod thread, excellent native OS/software support, and GG.

 

[soloz2]

I've been using an Elgato Facecam (original) for the past 3+ years. I've had a couple times where I've had to unplug and plug it back in, but I use it for 20+ hours a week every week for work. It has good image quality and operates well in low light. It works. I did just order an Obsbot Tiny 2 as I moved which room my home office will be in and I can't not have a window behind me and my Facecam does struggle with this and I'm hoping the Tiny 2 does better with this. I did consider a Facecam Pro and I may try one if I don't like the Tiny 2.

 

[DaveOP]

I've been using an Elgato Facecam (original) for the past 3+ years. I've had a couple times where I've had to unplug and plug it back in, but I use it for 20+ hours a week every week for work. It has good image quality and operates well in low light. It works. I did just order an Obsbot Tiny 2 as I moved which room my home office will be in and I can't not have a window behind me and my Facecam does struggle with this and I'm hoping the Tiny 2 does better with this. I did consider a Facecam Pro and I may try one if I don't like the Tiny 2.

I have been very impressed by the Facecam Pro. It produces excellent quality video in every testing environment we've tried. I dont love that they require some software, but you'll be used to that with the regular facecam I'd imagine. Highly recommend.

 

[soloz2]

I have been very impressed by the Facecam Pro. It produces excellent quality video in every testing environment we've tried. I dont love that they require some software, but you'll be used to that with the regular facecam I'd imagine. Highly recommend.

Yes, I have quite a bit of Elgato stuff. Streamdeck, wave mic, key light airs, and Facecam. The Tiny 2 will be the outlier.