Cameras, even those in phones, brag about megapixels and lens specifications — but laptops? Not so much. There’s a reason computer companies don’t say much about the webcams that come built into the bezels of their screens. Most of these cameras are low-quality, with tiny sensors and cheap lenses. Sure, they work for basic videoconferencing, but they aren’t very impressive and certainly leave us wanting something more.
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While you could just buy a stand-alone webcam that connects over USB, to really take production value up a notch, you can opt for a DSLR or mirrorless camera. You’ll need a few workarounds to get this type of camera to be recognized as a webcam by your computer, but the trouble is worth it for the higher resolution, much better low-light performance, and cinematic background blur.
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Streaming with a mirrorless camera
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Vs. streaming with a built-in webcam
Image used with permission by copyright holder
To accomplish this, you’ll need some specific hardware and/or software to get your camera and computer to play nice. Fortunately, with the right tools, using your DSLR or mirrorless camera as a webcam is a straightforward procedure. With major camera manufacturers like Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Panasonic, Olympus, and GoPro recently building a webcam option into their software, the odds are now pretty good that you can modify your current camera to use as a webcam, for free.
Most computers cannot natively read the video coming from a camera’s HDMI output. If your computer has an HDMI port, it is likely itself an output port. And while cameras have USB ports, they generally do not send a clean video signal through them. One exception to this, however, could be your Android phone. (Check out our guide to connecting your Android 14 as a webcam guide for more information if you want to go down that route.)
You’ll need a device that converts your camera’s HDMI feed to a USB output that your computer will think is a connected webcam. The beauty of this setup is that you can generally use any HDMI source as the input, from a camera to a game console to another computer, and the output can be used however you’d like, from video conferencing to livestreaming or recording.
The quality of the video that your computer receives is limited by the device. Even if you have a camera that can shoot 4K video, the USB adapter may only support 1080p output. Given that most livestreams and videoconferences are reduced to 1080p (or even 720p) anyway, this probably isn’t a huge concern.
There are a number of different products for achieving this. Some of the top-ranked ones include:
Elgato Cam Link 4K
MiraBox Capture Card
Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini
The last one on this list is actually a four-input HDMI switcher. It allows you to connect multiple cameras or other HDMI inputs and select which one to output to your computer, which will see it as a simple webcam. This allows for advanced livestreaming setups with different angles, sharing a screen from a tablet or phone, or even printed material via an HDMI document camera. Sure, you don’t need that for your average Zoom meeting, but the ATEM Mini has much more flexibility than a simple HDMI to USB adapter — and it’s not even that expensive.
The next step is to make sure your camera is outputting a “clean” signal, called a clean HDMI output. Otherwise, you’ll stream everything you see on the camera screen, including the user interface overlays, like exposure settings and focus indicators. Each camera’s menu settings will be different, but look for an option for “output display” or “HDMI info display.” Consult your camera’s user manual if you can’t find those settings.
Note that while clean HDMI output has become a more popular feature, it is still not found on every camera and is typically reserved for midrange and high-end models.
Next, set your focus. If your camera has face-detection autofocus (or, better, eye detection), this is a great feature to turn on, as it will take all of the guesswork out of focusing. If your camera doesn’t have this feature, you can use standard continuous autofocus (C-AF), although this may not be reliable. You can also manually preset the focus, but you’ll need to make sure you don’t move during the video.
Finally, tell the video chat platform that you want to use a camera besides the built-in webcam by going to the settings inside the web conferencing app and switching to the camera you connected. (Here’s how to change the camera in Zoom and Skype).
Some software programs can grab the video feed from a camera that’s plugged directly into the USB port without bothering with HDMI at all. These software solutions are less universal than video cards, however. Third-party software is available, but as 2020 made working from home a necessity for many, several manufacturers launched their own native solutions. Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Panasonic, Olympus, and GoPro are all integrating a webcam feature into native (and free) software. Most of these programs are recently launched beta options but provide users a way to use their camera as a webcam without buying any additional accessories.
Whether you use manufacturer software or third-party software, you will need the USB cable that came with your camera. Cameras should also have a full battery, while long live-streams may require an AC adapter to keep the camera fully juiced. Unlike using HDMI, USB doesn’t provide access to the camera’s microphone, so these software tools will still require you to use your computer’s built-in mic or an external one (plugged into the computer, not the camera). A safe place to mount your camera, like a tripod, is ideal. And while not required, you’ll also get better results with a video light and an external microphone.
Exact set-up depends on the software that you’re using, but, in general, you’ll connect the camera to your computer using the USB (make sure that the camera is powered on). You’ll need to launch the webcam utility software and follow any steps there, and inside the app you plan to livestream with, you’ll need to go into the settings and choose your camera instead of the default built-in webcam. Just like using an HDMI video capture device, you will still need to set the focus on your camera. If your camera has face and eye detection, be sure to turn it on.
With Sony as the latest company to join the trend of webcam software, all the major camera companies now have a webcam option, at least in beta. Sony Imaging Edge Webcam is a Windows-only program that’s compatible with 35 different Sony cameras at launch including the latest A9, A7, A6000, RX100, and RX0 series cameras, as well as the new vlogging focused ZV1 and a handful of older generations and point-and-shoots. The program is available for download directly from Sony.
Now officially out of beta, the EOS Webcam Utility app lets you use one of more than 40 different Canon cameras as a webcam over USB for programs from Zoom and Skype to Messenger and YouTube Live. The program allows you to record while streaming, in case you want to save your end of that Zoom chat for later. Cameras with Movie Servo AF will support full-time autofocus while recording. Canon also has a number of webcam kits available, which bundles a compatible camera with a power cord. The MacOS version is still in public beta.
Nikon recently launched the beta version of Nikon Webcam Utility. The Windows 10 software launched first, but now the company has a beta program for Mac users as well. The app works with Nikon Z cameras, as well as recent DSLRs, including the D6, D850, D780, D500, D7500, and D5600. The software allows compatible cameras to stream using just the USB cord that came with the camera, but also works with HDMI video capture devices.
The Fujifilm X Webcam program, now in its second version, allows you to adjust a number of different camera settings when using one of the compatible cameras as a webcam, including using film simulation effects. The app, available for Windows and MacOS, works with several high-end Fujifilm mirrorless cameras, including the X-T2, X-T3, and X-T4, as well as all medium-format GFX models, and budget-friendly models in automatic mode only. The latest update to the software allows users to adjust the settings mid-recording, including exposure compensation and film simulation, from the computer. The X-A7 and X-T200 can also be used with the software with a firmware update, but have more limited features and are stuck in auto mode for streaming.
Panasonic Lumix Tether for streaming is a beta program that allows some Panasonic Lumix mirrorless cameras to be used as webcams on Windows. The program is similar to Panasonic’s earlier tethering program, but strips the overlays (such as focus boxes) from the image, giving a clean output suitable for use in videoconferencing.
Olympus’ native webcam option is called OM-D Webcam. This beta software is compatible with Windows 10 and Mac (Mac OS 10.2, 10.3, and 10.4) and needs one of five more advanced OM-D cameras to work, including the E-M1X, E-M1, E-M1 Mark II, E-M1 Mark III, and the E-M5 Mark II. After installing the software and connecting the camera, users can select the camera as a device option in their video conferencing software of choice.
While an action camera won’t give you the background blur of using a mirrorless or DSLR, the GoPro HERO8 Black and HERO9 can also now be used as a wide-angle webcam. To adapt the action cam for webcam use, the HERO8 first needs to have updated beta firmware on the camera itself, while the new HERO9 is ready to go right out of the box. Then, install GoPro Webcam on your computer, and connect the GoPro with USB. The software is compatible with Mac OS, and a Windows version is now in beta testing.
The above programs are, of course, designed to only work with cameras made by their respective brands, and even then, some older or budget models may not be compatible.
There are also third-party options you can use, depending on your needs.
SparkoCam is a Windows program that allows Canon and Nikon DSLRs to work as webcams without any special hardware (check for full compatibility with your camera first). The program offers a free trial but starts at $50 to remove the large watermark. Unfortunately, it is not offered for Mac.
Ecamm Live is a Mac option for live streaming that works with several camera brands. With tools including multi-camera switching, picture-in-picture, and screen sharing from a Mac or an iPhone, the software is a more advanced option for those taking their streaming a little more professionally. Once you finish streaming, Ecamm Live can save the video file to your hard drive. The save feature is handy in many different scenarios, especially for anyone who’s recording footage they plan to edit later on.
Even though monitor mounts can be helpful, it’s likely that you won’t be able to connect your camera to your monitor without obstructing it directly. This means you’ll need a tripod. For video conferencing, we suggest using a compact tabletop tripod. One of our favorites is the Joby GorillaPod or Manfrotto Pixi variations. If you’re looking for more info on these two fabulous tripods, you can read more on our list of the best tripods.
When updating your video, you should examine your audio quality. You can easily enhance the overall quality of your vocals by employing an external USB mic. Improved audio will offer you limited echo effects and background sound, delivering a less distracting stream. Along with this, you also acquire the bonus perk of having some new contemporary streaming equipment. If this piques your interest, check out how Digital Trends producer Dan Baker set up his home office for live streaming.
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Whether your work-from-home routine involves lots of video calls or you want to jump in on the video game streaming trend, it's important to look your best.
One of the easiest and most effective ways to improve your appearance is to upgrade from the grainy, low-quality camera on your laptop to a dedicated webcam. But before you go out and buy yet another device, you should try using a DSLR or mirrorless camera if you have one.
Although most older (and some recent) cameras require some sort of software to connect to your computer as a webcam, an increasing number now support plug-and-play compatibility via the USB Video Class (UVC) standard. USB Audio Class (UAC) support, which goes hand-in-hand, means the camera mic works for video calls, too. The latter is less important here though since most cameras have poor mics. Unless you have a made-for-vlogging camera, you still need a USB mic to sound your best.
Whatever type of hardware you have, we cover all your bases below. Just one general note: Compatibility with the latest macOS versions seems to be less reliable than for Windows, so you could try Apple's legacy video devices fix if you experience an issue with any of the below methods.
The OM System OM-1 Mark II has UVC/UAC Support (Credit: Jim Fisher)
Almost every digital camera has a USB port that lets you connect it directly to your computer. That said, since UVC support is a relatively recent arrival to dedicated cameras, the vast majority of those now specifically have a USB-C port. We haven't come across a dedicated camera without a USB-C port and with UVC, so that's generally a good indicator of support. Of course, not all cameras with a USB-C port have UVC.
As mentioned UVC support means you don't need extra software to use your camera as a webcam via a web browser, video conferencing app, or streaming software. Modern Windows and macOS machines support at least some version of UVC out-of-the-box, so the process of getting up and running is pretty easy:
Look for and confirm the UVC spec on the official listing of your camera. We note whether a camera supports this standard in our reviews.
Plug one end of a compatible USB data cable into the camera and the other into your computer. Depending on your camera, you need to select the appropriate USB mode (often called Webcam or Tethering) on your camera either before or after this step. Consult your manual for the specific sequence of events.
After you launch your video meeting app or streaming platform of choice, choose your connected camera as the video source in the preferences section. If you wish to use its mic, choose it as the audio source.
To make any changes to the video settings, simply do so on the camera itself.
If your camera doesn't support the UVC protocol, using it as a webcam isn't quite as seamless, but is still very doable. You just have to rely on manufacturer software for the connection. Some manufacturers seem to push first-party webcam software for their latest cameras, whereas others are moving away from such solutions in favor of UVC. Here are the steps:
Download the correct software for your camera. We detail the options from the most popular camera manufacturers below and provide a link to the download.
Plug your camera into your computer via a compatible USB data cable and select the correct USB connection mode on your camera (often called Webcam or Tethering). The specific order of events varies from camera to camera, so it's worth checking documentation if you run into issues here.
After you launch your video meeting app or streaming platform of choice, choose your connected camera as the video source in the preferences section. If you wish to use your camera's mic and the software does not restrict you from doing so (many do), choose it as the audio source.
Some manufacturers restrict what changes you can make on your camera, whereas others build them into the software for easier control. Again, consult documentation if a change you make interrupts the streaming connection.
The EOS Webcam Utility Pro is available for systems running macOS version Monterey, Ventura, and Sonoma or Windows 10 and 11. Note that whereas older versions of this software weren't compatible with Apple Silicon hardware or Safari, Canon says this latest version supports both use cases.
The software works with a long list of SLR and mirrorless Canon cameras, as well as a few fixed-lens models. Canon details all of the supported bodies at the above link, but make sure to check the footnotes for all the details. You won't find support for your PowerShot Elph, but Canon does a good job of including older cameras.
Both free and paid versions ($4.99 per month or $49.99 per year) of the software are available. The free tier lets you stream at up to 720p, but a subscription unlocks 1080p/60fps streaming, support for up to five simultaneous camera feeds, and direct camera control from the software. For all the version differences, check out Canon's comparison chart on the software's download page.
The Canon EOS R6 Mark II supports the Canon EOS Webcam Utility (Credit: Jim Fisher)
Fujifilm's X Webcam app supports Macs with High Sierra or later and PCs running Windows 10 or 11. Fujifilm claims compatibility with Sonoma, though it has published a list of known issues.
The software works with many higher-end X and GFX system cameras, including from a few generations prior. You can see the full list of compatible models on the above-linked download page. Notable omissions are the X-S20, X-T5, X-H2S, and GFX 100 II, all of which support UVC.
The software is free to download and lets you lock focus, control exposure, use a film simulation mode, set the white balance, and more.
Nikon's Webcam Utility software works with systems running macOS Big Sur, Monterey, and Ventura or 64-bit versions of Windows 10 and 11. Nikon lists some compatibility issues with Sonoma, so you might not have a smooth experience with it if that's your OS of choice.
Most recent Nikon SLRs and Z mirrorless cameras support the pass-through software, but it has several limitations (such as a maximum resolution of 1,024 by 768 pixels and a frame rate between 10 and 15 fps) that Nikon outlines in the Notes of the Product Description section on the utility's download page. The company does not offer a paid version of its software, unlike Canon.
The OM System Webcam Beta Software is available for computers running macOS High Sierra through Monterey and Windows machines on version 10 or 11. It works only with a few premium models, but the OM-1 Mark II is notably absent from the list because it supports UVC. This free software doesn't provide any options in the way that Canon's does and is more to ensure interoperability.
The latest version of the free Panasonic Lumix Webcam Software (Beta) supports machines with macOS Monterey or Ventura, as well as with 64-bit versions of Windows 10 and 11. The download page lists all the compatible cameras, including the S5 II and G9 II. This free software does not offer any adjustable settings.
Sony's free solution, Imaging Edge Webcam, works with computers running macOS Big Sur, Monterey, and Ventura or 64-bit versions of Windows 10 and 11. It does not currently support macOS Sonoma.
Many newer Sony cameras, including the a9 III and a7R V, are compatible but also include UVC support, so the software is redundant in those cases. It's better for slightly older cameras, including the a7R IV and a7 III. Compatibility extends to select fixed-lens RX cameras and even some late A-mount SLT series bodies. You can view the full list at the top of the download page.
Just be aware that you have to initially put some cameras in Auto mode before connecting the camera to your computer and switching to Movie mode. You also can't use the Cinematic Vlog or XAVC S-I DCI 4K settings for any camera model. Again, there are no extra features here.
The Sony a9 III supports Sony's Imaging Edge Webcam software (Credit: Jim Fisher)
If you have a camera that doesn't support UVC or work with a first-party manufacturer app your computer supports, you do have a hardware alternative: HDMI video capture adapters. To use them, you just need to make sure that you can output a video signal from your camera via HDMI. To test this, plug your camera into your TV or monitor and see if there's a picture. Also, importantly, check if you can turn off distracting user interface elements from the video signal. Most interchangeable-lens models with HDMI can output a so-called clean signal, but it's worth verifying.
The actual setup is simple:
Purchase a video capture adapter such as the Elgato Cam Link 4K (99.99) or the Blackmagic Atem Mini ($295) that bridges the gap between HDMI and USB.
Connect it to the USB port of your Mac or PC.
Plug one end of an HDMI cable into your camera and the other into the adapter.
After you launch your video meeting or streaming service of choice, choose your connected camera as the video source in the preferences section.
To make any changes to the video settings, simply do so on the camera itself.
This method requires you to spend more money, but any of these accessories could be a better investment than a standalone webcam if you already have a quality camera. Arguably, it's a more seamless process than dealing with manufacturer software that is likely to have more limitations on resolution and frame rate.
Sigma 10-18mm F2.8 Contemporary (Credit: Jim Fisher)
Once you get connected, here are a few additional pointers to help your video meetings and streaming sessions go smoothly.
Just like with a webcam, you should position your camera in such a way that it frames you favorably and captures you straight-on. Consider setting it up on a tripod or other type of support system.
The types of cameras that are most likely to support UVC are also likely to have advanced video autofocus systems, so you don't have to worry about finding the perfect focus distance like you do with a simpler, fixed-focus webcam. Make sure to enable it for the best results. Of course, you could always go manual with a dedicated camera, if you want.
Be aware that some lenses are better for video than others. Find one with a wide-enough angle to present you naturally. Additionally, a lens with a bright aperture can gather more light for noise-free image quality and create the optical bokeh effect.
If your digital camera doesn't support any of the above methods and you don't want a dedicated device, remember that you can turn your smartphone into a wireless webcam, too. The best camera phones are more than up to the task. Many action cameras, including from GoPro and DJI, have webcam functionality as well.
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