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Best Webcams for Mac
You might be wondering why anyone would want an external webcam for a MacBook. After all, Apple outfits all MacBooks with a front-facing camera, right?
Yes, that’s right, but if you’ve ever used a MacBook’s webcam, you may have noted the webcam isn’t that good.
Apple designs and manufactures fantastic cameras for iPads and iPhones, but for whatever reason, they decided to outfit MacBooks with the most basic front-facing camera.
Therefore, if you want to look good on your Skype or Zoom calls or when streaming, you might need to invest in an external webcam.
Upgrading to an external webcam isn’t only for the resolution and image quality; you also get some other robust features.
In this review, we’ve compiled a couple of the best external webcams for MacBooks on the market right now, from relatively cheap options that still make the MacBook’s in-built webcam look bad to more expensive options that have autofocus and 4K resolution.
Best Webcam for Mac | Video Resolution | Field Of View | Connectivity Technology | Image Capture Speed | Image Stabilization | Focus | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Elgato Facecam | Full HD (1080p) | 82 degrees | USB | 60 fps | No | Optimized fixed | 3.63 ounces |
Jabra PanaCast | 4K (2160p) | 180 degrees | USB | 24 fps | No | Auto | 3.5 ounces |
Logitech Brio Webcam | 4K (2160p) | 90 degrees | USB | 90 fps | No | Auto | 15.2 ounces |
Logitech C922 Pro | Full HD (1080p) | 90 degrees | USB | 60 fps | No | Auto | 5.7 ounces |
NexiGo 4K Zoomable Webcam | 4K (2160p) | 90 degrees | USB | 30 fps | No | Fixed | 16.95 ounces |
1. Elgato Facecam
What do most people look for in a webcam? If you’re thinking clear and crisp footage, you’re right.
This is precisely what the Elgato Facecam brings to the table, thanks to its 8-element lens designed to minimize issues such as chromatic aberration and lens flare.
Behind that magnificent lens is a Sony CMOS sensor that will produce high-quality footage. What’s more, the Elgato Facecam supports post-processing thanks to the Camera Hub app.
Key Features Include:
- Video resolution: Full HD (1080p)
- Field of View: 82 degrees
- Connectivity technology: USB
- Image capture speed: 60 fps
- Image stabilization: No
- Focus: Optimized fixed
- Weight: 3.63 ounces
2. Jabra PanaCast
The Jabra PanaCast is an external webcam that captures immersive video and audio thanks to its triple 13 Megapixel cameras that shoot in 4K (2160p) resolution.
The Jabra PanaCast has real-time video stitching and HDR technology, which adjusts lighting conditions to ambient. What’s more, this external webcam is compatible with macOS X 10.9 or later, and it can be mounted to walls or a table stand.
Key Features Include:
- Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
- Field of View: 180 degrees
- Connectivity technology: USB
- Image capture speed: 24 fps
- Image stabilization: No
- Focus: Auto
- Weight: 3.5 ounces
3. Logitech Brio Webcam
Are you looking for a 4K resolution webcam for your Mac? Then, you can get the Logitech Brio for a relatively affordable price.
What’s more, the Logitech Brio has super-fluid frame rates, and it captures footage at 90 fps (frames per second).
This Logitech webcam is suitable for Mac OS X 10.7 or higher, and it allows you to choose between 65°, 78°, and 90° field of view.
You also get 5x digital zoom and autofocus plus HDR technology that helps you solve light issues such as too bright or too dim.
Key Features Include:
- Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
- Field of View: 90 degrees
- Connectivity technology: USB
- Image capture speed: 90 fps
- Image stabilization: No
- Focus: Auto
- Weight: 15.2 ounces
4. Logitech C922 Pro
If you’d like to buy a good quality webcam, but you’re not looking to break the bank, then the Logitech C922 Pro is an ideal pick. With this webcam, you can stream in Full HD (1080p) at 30 fps or drop down to HD (720p) at 60 fps.
This webcam features autofocus and instant light correction that help boost image quality. What’s more, the C922 Pro is compatible with Mac OS X 10.9 or higher.
Key Features Include:
- Video resolution: Full HD (1080p)
- Field of View: 90 degrees
- Connectivity technology: USB
- Image capture speed: 60 fps
- Image stabilization: No
- Focus: Auto
- Weight: 5.7 ounces
5. NexiGo 4K Zoomable Webcam
Just because you’re on a budget doesn’t mean that you can’t find a 4K (2160p) webcam for your MacBook or Mac PC.
The NexiGo 4K Zoomable Webcam, for instance, has impressive video quality and will cost you less than most 4K-ready webcams out there.
For its price, it means some compromises have been made, such as the 90-degree field of view and 30 fps (frames per second) capture speed.
Still, the NexiGo 4K is an awesome webcam that will be an improvement on your Mac’s webcam.
Key Features Include:
- Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
- Field of View: 90 degrees
- Connectivity technology: USB
- Image capture speed: 30 fps
- Image stabilization: No
- Focus: Fixed
- Weight: 16.95 ounces
Final Thought
To sum it all up, if you feel that the inbuilt front-facing camera on your Mac isn’t doing it for you, consider the external webcams illustrated above.
Thanks to the in-built Omni-directional mics, an external webcam will give you impressive picture quality and superb sound.
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