New Software Lets Your Canon Camera Be Used as a Webcam for a Mac

[MacRumors]

Camera manufacturer Canon today announced that its EOS Webcam Utility Beta software is now available for macOS users in addition to PC users.

The software is designed to allow some EOS Interchangeable Lens Cameras and PowerShot cameras to be converted into a webcam through a USB connection.

The macOS-compatible software solution requires a single USB plug to connect the compatible camera to the computer. After the software is downloaded and the camera is configured in a video conferencing app, the user will be able to use the camera for video conferencing and virtual meetings.

Compatible cameras include everything from the EOS-1D X Mark III to the PowerShot SX70 HS, with a list of cameras that work with the feature available on Canon's website.

Article Link: New Software Lets Your Canon Camera Be Used as a Webcam for a Mac

 

[Mr. Awesome]

Sounds like a big hassle.

 

[UltimateSyn]

Very cool, now Apple will never have to update their webcams! Just start selling multi-thousand dollar Canon cameras at the stores!

 

[ScreenSavers]

Very cool, now Apple will never have to update their webcams! Just start selling multi-thousand dollar Canon cameras at the stores!

Well they never did update them in the first place.

 

[jerryk]

Too late. Already use my Elgato 4K to send video from my Sony A7iii to my mac

 

[FSMBP]

Seems like overkill but still a nifty feature!

 

[SDJim]

Sounds like a big hassle.

Yeah, but the alternative is an ancient 720p "webcam". Otherwise, Canon probably wouldn't have bothered.

 

[nmarello2976]

No Rebel T5 on the list. WTF?

 

[ToomeyND]

Why can't the iPhone be used in this way? I'd much rather place some kind of camera holder on the top of my laptop (improving the angle of the camera anyway) and leveraging the much higher resolution camera in the phone. Can they be paired up this way? Seems like there should be some blend in the handoff instructions to allow for this.

 

[TDPHunter]

I think this is great for upcoming streamers, vloggers, and working professionals for sales meetings, etc. You no longer have to buy a Capture Card which saves you over $100. While true, you could go with a standard webcam for most use cases, you just won't have the quality of a DSLR or Mirrorless camera. You also can't easily get a webcam right now due to the shortages created by COVID-19. Scalpers are having a blast charging $100-200 over retail value for some.

So, I have to give Canon kudos for delivering something that can alleviate the strain on the webcam market while also providing an alternative option for individuals that need webcam-like functionality. If you already have a DSLR or Mirrorless camera, this is a great option. If not, you'll probably not drop that kind of money unless you want to take photography up as a hobby or really care about how you look virtually. That's ok. It's good to have options.

 

[Jeaz]

Interesting. My camera on my iMac has been broken for quite some time. Will have to try with our M50.

 

[Rocko99991]

Yeah, but the alternative is an ancient 720p "webcam". Otherwise, Canon probably wouldn't have bothered.

This. The 720p cams are horrible.

 

[SouthPhillyPT]

I have an old Canon PowerShot ELPH SD780 IS. Does anyone know if I can use it as webcam (Skype, etc.) with a Mac/Windows computer using Canon's software or a different software?

 

[Michael Scrip]

No Rebel T5 on the list. WTF?

Try it anyway.

My Canon 70D isn't on the list either... but it works.

Well it sorta works... the image isn't totally full screen. But I'd rather have a black border around the screen than use a crappy built-in laptop webcam.

Thankfully I bought an Elgato CamLink 4K in February before all the craziness with the human malware. And I can use it with any HDMI camera... my Canon 70D, my Sony A7III or my Canon XA11 camcorder with XLR mics.

I think a capture device is the best solution... but at least Canon is throwing us a bone here. (though this feature should have been standard years ago...)

 

[lainvoo]

No Rebel T5 on the list. WTF?

I have an old Canon PowerShot ELPH SD780 IS. Does anyone know if I can use it as webcam (Skype, etc.) with a Mac/Windows computer using Canon's software or a different software?

I recommend people to try other Canon cameras as well. I tried with my old Canon 5D Mark II and it works. I chose 5D Mark IV for the download section and got the installer. It works exactly like in the demo video. Now I have to find a fake power adapter to keep the camera running long enough.

 

[BornAgainMac]

I wish Apple would provide an old VHS and vintage 8mm film effects to the 720p FaceTime camera that works with Zoom, FaceTime, Skype, etc. I ran those filters off an old iPad 2 and it actually makes the poor video not look half bad.

 

[4jasontv]

Did they use the software to capture footage for this ad?

Edit: Apparently at 2:19 they switch over.

 

[13astion]

Why can't the iPhone be used in this way? I'd much rather place some kind of camera holder on the top of my laptop (improving the angle of the camera anyway) and leveraging the much higher resolution camera in the phone. Can they be paired up this way? Seems like there should be some blend in the handoff instructions to allow for this.

There is: EpocCam (Mac and iPhone apps)

How to turn your iPhone into a web cam for Zoom, Skype, Hangouts, and more

Hate your built-in webcam? Try using your iPhone as a webcam instead!

www.imore.com

This product seems to do the same thing: https://www.newtek.com/software/ndi-camera/

 

[RumorConsumer]

this is awesome good on canon.

 

[kalafalas]

my G7X M II didn't seem to make the cut oh well, NDI + an old iPhone has been serving me pretty well

 

[ipedro]

Seems like overkill but still a nifty feature!

It's not overkill. Professionals would like to use their cameras for live streaming video of events. Right now, that involves a capture card and a Mac or PC laptop. It's an unnecessarily complex setup for something that the camera can clearly do natively. I'd like to be able to plug my camera into an iPad Pro with LTE, launch an app that can serve video to Twitter, Periscope, Facebook, etc.

As of today, that's Fuji and Canon. Can Sony please get on this?

 

[rohizzle121]

Too late. Already use my Elgato 4K to send video from my Sony A7iii to my mac

Does this work with FaceTime?

 

[4jasontv]

I have been waiting so long to share this.

 

[Bearxor]

As of today, that's Fuji and Canon. Can Sony please get on this?

Mother f’n Sony... I have been patiently waiting for them to follow the lead here.

 

[JeffPerrin]

Interesting. My camera on my iMac has been broken for quite some time. Will have to try with our M50.

Interesting indeed. I had looked into using my M50 for a web cam at the start of the shutdown ('cause MacBook Pro webcam) but it was much too convoluted a process.