Logitech StreamCam review: Thoughtful features make this a great streaming camera

Logitech Streamcam Source: Dan Thorp-Lancaster/Windows Key

There are a lot of webcams out there that work swell for streamers and content creators, only there aren't many that focus exclusively on this crowd. We've seen the Razer Kiyo enter the space with a dedicated band light, but it'south somewhat beefy and express to thirty frames per second (fps) at 1080p. Now, Logitech has spiced things up with the StreamCam, which, while lacking a ring light, manages to do a lot correct when combined with a dedicated software experience aimed at content creators and streamers.

With the StreamCam, Logitech promises a webcam that packs a suite of software tools and features that appeal to creators who are only getting started. For the nigh part, it delivers on that promise handily, with some caveats. Permit'due south take a look.

Like shooting fish in a barrel streaming

Logitech Streamcam

Logitech StreamCam

$169

Bottom line: The Logitech StreamCam packs plenty of smashing features for content creators, especially if you're simply getting started.

Pros

Crisp picture
1080p at 60fps, Stabilization, motorcar-framing, and smart focus
Portrait and landscape orientations
Multiple mounting options
Peachy software feel

Cons

Expensive
Exposure dips at 60fps
No Windows Hi

What you lot'll like most the Logitech StreamCam

Logitech Streamcam Source: Dan Thorp-Lancaster/Windows Central

The Logitech StreamCam wholly embodies what content creators demand in a webcam, and it does it with aplomb. Not only that, merely it looks expert while doing information technology. The design and features of the camera are what shine hither.

The StreamCam is made of a plastic shell that feels pretty durable. On the front, yous'll find a weaved fabric finish around the lens of the camera, with a Logi logo and a fiddling light in one corner that lets y'all know when the photographic camera is on. The StreamCam comes out of the box attached to a mount meant to fit backside a display, but there's also an alternative tripod mount that y'all can use to get different angles.

The StreamCam uses USB-C "to ensure maximum video transfer speed and quality," Logitech says. I'grand a big advocate for the whole manufacture moving to USB-C, and so this was a skilful thing to see. Information technology besides ensures Logitech tin can focus on tightly tuning the camera's operation for ane connexion blazon.

Category	Spec
Max video resolution	1080p/60 fps in MJPEG
Supported Resolutions	1920x1080, 1280x720, 960x540, 848x480, 640x360, 320x240
Supported frame rate	MJPEG: 60 fps, 30 fps, 24 fps, twenty fps, 15 fps, 10 fps, seven.5 fps, 5 fps YUY2, NV12: 30 fps, 24 fps, 20 fps, fifteen fps, 10 fps, vii.five fps, 5 fps
Lens	Total Hard disk Glass lens f/2.0 -focal length 3.7mm 78° (diagonal) Field of View
Focus	Autofocus (10cm to infinity) / face based autofocus with Logitech Capture
Built-in audio	Dual omnidirectional mic with noise reduction filter Stereo or dual mono channel
Live indicator lights	White LED
Mounting	Universal monitor mountain Tripod mountain

The camera itself supports several frame rates, but the large draw is its ability to run at 1080p at 60fps. This results in incredibly polish operation, which can enhance the quality no thing what type of content you produce. That'southward combined with a 78-degree field of view, which I felt was a great heart-basis, though I tin understand if some would like to see something broader.

With its base specs, the StreamCam is a reliable webcam, but the software feel is where it starts to get skillful. For this review, I used a beta version of the Logitech Capture software with special features built for StreamCam. Even so, the feel felt polished with enough of absurd features for streamers.

When paired with Logitech Capture, the StreamCam is a content cosmos machine. The software brings smart auto-focus and exposure, along with auto-framing, using a bit of AI to keep your confront looking practiced and centered automatically. In that location's also electronic paradigm stabilization, which tin can kill minor photographic camera shakes if you happen to crash-land your desk-bound while recording or streaming.

One of my favorite features is full support for 1080p vertical video. The camera tin can exist easily rotated on its mountain to flip to a vertical orientation, and Logitech Capture automatically recognizes this and adjusts. This is dandy if you lot're producing dedicated content for Instagram or Facebook stories, where it'southward mainly consumed on phones. This worked great in my testing, and I tin see information technology becoming a huge deal for anyone who has a social media following.

Where Logitech Capture is particularly fun is with its support for multiple photographic camera inputs. Y'all can combine feeds from multiple cameras (two StreamCams, peradventure) with several different picture-in-motion-picture show or moving picture-by-picture orientations to choose from. For anyone who does hands-on YouTube tutorials, for example, this could become invaluable, with the ability to have one camera focused on your face while another mounted on a tripod captures whatever yous're working on.

Good looks and thoughtful features brand StreamCam an alluring package for creators.

There are as well many features in Logitech Capture to cover, but there's plenty for content creators to like. You lot can access plenty of dissimilar filters, adjust framerates anywhere from 24fps to 60fps, and save profiles to access later. You also accept manual controls for things like exposure and focus, along with scene transition effects, custom text overlays, and more.

Overall, Logitech has done a lot of work here to make getting started with streaming or general content creation much easier. The Logitech Capture software is like shooting fish in a barrel to use, and it's clear what every setting does. Moreover, it lowers the bulwark for anyone who wants to learn how to use things like picture-in-pic and text overlays. Combined with support in OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) and XSplit, the StreamCam is a solid selection for anyone getting started with streaming.

What you'll dislike about the Logitech StreamCam

Logitech Streamcam Source: Dan Thorp-Lancaster/Windows Central

My one major gripe with the Logitech StreamCam has impacts on of its highlight features. If you manually set the camera to capture at 1080p and 60fps, the exposure drops dramatically. That's normal for all cameras, as the shutter is just open up for half the amount of time compared to 30fps. Notwithstanding, it's worth noting if you're going to run at 60fps in poor lighting.

Thankfully, there is and choice in Logitech Capture to prioritize exposure over framerate. If you set the photographic camera to 60fps at 1080p, then enable this selection, the exposure rebounds to normal levels.

Another surface area that could use some tuning is with the mic. I don't expect webcam microphones to be amazing, and it's prissy that Logitech included back up for stereo and dual-mono sound hither. Even so, you'll probably want to invest in a quality headset or more professional person mic setup if yous're looking to produce high-quality content.

While I love the default to USB-C here, it's worth keeping in mind if you lot're using an older PC without support for the connection. Logitech says you tin use a USB-C to USB-A dongle, just it tin't guarantee the StreamCam will piece of work at its full potential. While information technology would exist nice to include an adapter in the box, Logitech says that it opted not to cut downwards on its environmental impact. Later on all, if only a fraction of buyers will use the adapter, that's a lot of plastic that volition somewhen end up in a landfill somewhere.

Though this is a camera primarily intended for streamers, 1 notable omission is Windows Hello. It'due south a feature that's present on the pricier 4K Logitech Brio, simply information technology'south missing here. Given the form factor of the StreamCam, it'southward easy to encounter how an additional IR camera would accept cramped its manner, just it would have been a nice feature to have.

Finally, in that location'southward the cost of the StreamCam to consider. After spending fourth dimension with it, I call up information technology'southward worth the cost, just $170 is a lot of money. If you're serious near getting started with producing content for YouTube, of boot off your streaming career, then all of the bells and whistles you get with the StreamCam are worth the money.

Should you buy the Logitech StreamCam?

Logitech Streamcam Source: Dan Thorp-Lancaster/Windows Central

As long equally you lot tin justify the cost, the Logitech StreamCam is most as good as you tin can make it the webcam space. Some more than advanced streamers and creators might opt for a dedicated professional camera. Still, the StreamCam offers an easy onramp for anyone just getting started or who doesn't want to drib a thou dollars or more on a camera.

Practiced looks and excellent software make StreamCam an alluring package for creators. As someone who has flirted with the idea of streaming, the StreamCam feels like the push that may get me to accept the leap. If you lot're in the aforementioned boat, the Logitech StreamCam is definitely worth a wait.

Lookin' good

Logitech Streamcam

Logitech StreamCam

Calling all streamers.

The Logitech StreamCam brings a combination of proficient looks, thoughtful features, and excellent software that go far an first-class pick for creators. Information technology's a fleck expensive, but worth every penny if you're looking to kicking off a streaming career.

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