5 Things to Know Before Buying Webcam Camera

Although many laptops ship with webcams, there are still plenty of reasons to buy an external one. Whether you need it for business meetings, training webinars, video podcasts, or chatting with your family, getting the right high-quality webcam matters. Take these important factors and features into account to find the best one for your needs.

Webcam Essentials You Need to Look For

Here are some basic features you need to look for when shopping for a new webcam:

Resolution

A webcam with a high resolution is a must. The lower the resolution, the grainier the image looks on the screen. Most modern webcams support only high-definition video capture. Look for a video capture resolution of at least 720p or higher. A 1080p webcam is better, and these are becoming more common and more affordable.

Frame Rate

A high frame rate is also important. Webcams without high frame rates produce images that stutter and periodically freeze on the screen. Frame rate is measured in frames per second, so look for fps on the webcam packaging. A minimum of 15 fps is necessary to stream video.

A frame rate of 30 fps or higher is recommended. A frame rate of 60 fps is ideal, but it's not as common in lower price ranges.

Lens

The type of lens the webcam has affects its performance. Some entry-level models have plastic lenses. However, it's wise to stick with a glass lens, which improves performance without significantly raising the price.

Still Images

Look for a webcam that takes still images that are at least two megapixels. Most current models take images much higher, and 15-megapixel captures are common.

Microphone

A built-in microphone is another standard feature. It's not difficult to find a webcam with two or more built in. Microphone quality has improved over the years. Omni-directional ones, which record from every direction around the camera, can be found in most mid-range and high-end webcams.

Other Webcam Bells and Whistles

The following features aren't essential, but these are nice features to have.

Motion Sense

Motion sensing can turn a webcam into a security system, and some models come with this feature built in to the device. If yours doesn't, you may be able to download software for it. Check the manufacturer's website to make sure.

Auto-Focus

Auto-focus is another feature to look for. Most people don't sit perfectly still while filming. A webcam should refocus, at least a little, to where you're sitting in relation to it.

Special Effects

Depending on the type of video chatting you do, you may want to include special effects. Many webcams come packaged with these abilities. If the one you want doesn't, the manufacturer website may provide special effects software for download.

High-Def vs. Ultra HD Considerations

Most webcams capture high-definition videos. If you plan to post clips to social-networking sites, low-quality videos can affect viewers negatively. It's not difficult to find a quality webcam that records at 720p for a reasonable price. So, even if you want one for occasional video chatting, get an HD camera.

For more professional work, such as uploading videos to YouTube or streaming on Twitch, invest a bit more for a full HD 1080p camera. These are fairly common, and the price won't break the bank.

If you need the absolute best quality, research webcams that record at resolutions above 1080p, up to 4k Ultra HD.

Only people with monitors that support these resolutions benefit from the increased picture clarity. These cameras should be reserved for special cases or if you make a living from creating online content.

Most webcams are affordable, but you tend to pay for what you get, so be sure to weigh your feature needs and budget needs carefully.

Webcam System Requirements

Not every webcam works with every computer or operating system. Make a note of your computer and operating system, then check the requirements for the webcam that caught your eye. Mac and Linux users need to take special care here. Most webcam manufacturers make sure their cameras work on all current Windows versions. However, finding a camera for Mac or Linux (including Chromebooks) might be challenging.

Most webcams have minimum processor speed, memory, and hard drive requirements. If your computer is new, it should meet or exceed these. If you plan to work with high-definition video on an older system, you may run into compatibility problems.

Here we have discussed some of the most important features that you need to keep in mind before buying a new external webcam.

Resolution

A high-resolution webcam is important as lower resolutions produce grainier images on the screen. Luckily, most modern external webcams support only high-definition video recording. You must always choose a webcam that supports at least 720p or higher. A webcam that supports a 1080p resolution is always better as these are getting common and cheap.

Frame Rate

Lens

The performance of a webcam also depends on the type of lens it uses. Entry-level webcams come with plastic lenses but it’s always wise to go for a glass lens which will not only boost the performance but it won’t even raise the price significantly. It is also better to get a webcam that can take still images with at least a 2MP lens. Most models that are commonly available nowadays come with a 15MP or higher lens.

Microphone

Another standard feature in webcams are built-in microphones and it's not hard to find a webcam that comes with two or more built in microphones. Microphone quality has improved over the years and most ones nowadays are omnidirectional, that can record from every direction around the camera. These types of microphones can be found in most mid-range and premium webcams.

Additional features

Motion Sense

Motion sensing is an additional feature that can turn a webcam into a security system. Some models have this feature built-in and if it doesn't, you might be able to download software to get this feature, if the manufacturer has a provision for it.

Auto-Focus

Auto-focus is another additional feature that you can consider as most people don't sit at perfect positions while recording. A webcam with auto-focus will refocus in this situation (at least a little) to deliver a better output.

Special Effects

This feature is totally the discretion of the user as one might want to add this feature depending on their type of video chatting. Many webcams come equipped with these features while there are other brands that provide special effects software that can be downloaded.

High-Definition vs Ultra HD

Most webcams record high-definition videos and if you are using it to post videos on social networking platforms, low-quality clips won’t get you a lot of traction. A quality webcam that records at 720p is easily available for a reasonable price. So, it is better to get an HD camera, even if you want it for casual video calls.
Although, it is advisable to invest a little more and get a full HD 1080p camera if you are into more professional work like streaming videos on Twitch and uploading YouTube videos. These cameras are widely available and won’t even dig a huge hole in your pocket. Webcams that record up to 4k Ultra HD videos are the ideal ones if you don’t want to make any compromises on your video quality.
It is important to note that these webcams can only be helpful if the display supports these resolutions. These cameras can be important if online content creation is something that you do for a living.

Webcam System Requirements

Not every webcam is compatible with every other computer or operating system. Always ensure that the webcam you are looking to buy is supported by your computer and the operating system. Most webcam manufacturers enable their cameras to work on Windows while Mac and Linux users have to be more careful before buying one. Finding a camera for Mac or Linux (including Chromebooks) might need some research.

Laptops and other bigger displays that are available nowadays are all equipped with webcams, yet there are multiple reasons for users to get an external one. The ones that are usually shipped as internal webcams don’t reproduce the intended video quality that results in a poor video calling experience. The “perfect” high-quality webcam is very important for various reasons that include -- webinars, online classes, video podcasts, business meetings or talking to family and friends.Here we have discussed some of the most important features that you need to keep in mind before buying a new external webcam.A high-resolution webcam is important as lower resolutions produce grainier images on the screen. Luckily, most modern external webcams support only high-definition video recording. You must always choose a webcam that supports at least 720p or higher. A webcam that supports a 1080p resolution is always better as these are getting common and cheap.A webcam with a high frame rate is important because lower frame rates cause videos to stutter and freeze often. Frame rate is measured in frames per second, which is denoted as fps and to stream a video you will need a minimum of 15 fps. It is recommended to have a minimum frame rate of 30 fps or higher, while a frame rate of 60 fps would be ideal, but it's not commonly available in lower budgets.The performance of a webcam also depends on the type of lens it uses. Entry-level webcams come with plastic lenses but it’s always wise to go for a glass lens which will not only boost the performance but it won’t even raise the price significantly. It is also better to get a webcam that can take still images with at least a 2MP lens. Most models that are commonly available nowadays come with a 15MP or higher lens.Another standard feature in webcams are built-in microphones and it's not hard to find a webcam that comes with two or more built in microphones. Microphone quality has improved over the years and most ones nowadays are omnidirectional, that can record from every direction around the camera. These types of microphones can be found in most mid-range and premium webcams.Motion sensing is an additional feature that can turn a webcam into a security system. Some models have this feature built-in and if it doesn't, you might be able to download software to get this feature, if the manufacturer has a provision for it.Auto-focus is another additional feature that you can consider as most people don't sit at perfect positions while recording. A webcam with auto-focus will refocus in this situation (at least a little) to deliver a better output.This feature is totally the discretion of the user as one might want to add this feature depending on their type of video chatting. Many webcams come equipped with these features while there are other brands that provide special effects software that can be downloaded.Most webcams record high-definition videos and if you are using it to post videos on social networking platforms, low-quality clips won’t get you a lot of traction. A quality webcam that records at 720p is easily available for a reasonable price. So, it is better to get an HD camera, even if you want it for casual video calls.Although, it is advisable to invest a little more and get a full HD 1080p camera if you are into more professional work like streaming videos on Twitch and uploading YouTube videos. These cameras are widely available and won’t even dig a huge hole in your pocket. Webcams that record up to 4k Ultra HD videos are the ideal ones if you don’t want to make any compromises on your video quality.It is important to note that these webcams can only be helpful if the display supports these resolutions. These cameras can be important if online content creation is something that you do for a living.Not every webcam is compatible with every other computer or operating system. Always ensure that the webcam you are looking to buy is supported by your computer and the operating system. Most webcam manufacturers enable their cameras to work on Windows while Mac and Linux users have to be more careful before buying one. Finding a camera for Mac or Linux (including Chromebooks) might need some research.