Are Expensive Webcams Worth It? - Opal C1 vs. Elgato Facecam

[@DrBrianKeating]

Thanks

[@SimonNeilScott]

I use and own the Elgato Facecam, with my (lowend) work laptop and my high-end Mac, and absolutely love it. You need to take into account, who the Elgato Facecam is aimed at though. It's intended for "streamers" or "content creators" who very likely know how to light a room, angle the camera correctly and have an external microphone. A tiny bit of effort, to light your face, adds to the quality of the image, immensely. I use mine on an Elgato arm (stand) just above my laptop screen, with either a Blue Yeti OR a headset (on the work laptop), with a desk light, during TEAMS meetings. However, if you're just an average Joe, you likely only use a laptop with a decent, built-in microphone. So the issue about it not having one built is, really a null point. Most people have access to a microphone. One VERY important thing, this video did not mention, is the superb Elgato software, which the camera comes with. It gives you full control over shutter speed, ISO and more. You have the full range of control, you would expect in a DSLR camera, available on a webcam, and that's a BIG deal. It should have been mentioned (unless I missed it?) because it's a MASSIVE reason to get this webcam. The camera manipulates the video in real-time, as it's captured, and not after the fact, in the software in the laptop/PC/Mac, which a lot of cheaper webcams do. This video really doesn't do the Elgato Facecom justice, as it skirts over a lot of stuff.

[@JeffyG]

You can use your iPhone as a webcam! ElGato has a cheap capture client for iOS. I use an old iPhone 8 with a 4K cam as a webcam all the time.

[@AlbertKel]

The autofocus on the opal is horrendous. I started to use my old Logitech camera again

[@Padygy]

what about the logitech brio vs the c1?

[@DrDanLawrence]

Wondering if you're still using the Elgato for online teaching or if you've found something else you prefer. Have been looking for a better webcam for meetings and teaching and simple YT videos.

[@topouzidd]

How can they put a great camera module and create a webcam that 1: overheats, 2: doesn’t have great image quality and 3: is so expensive? This company’s software and hardware engineering skills need to be improved and drop their price to a third.

[@russgaskin]

I used a Facecam for a year and got annoyed with it constantly losing my settings. Plus, the image quality was good, but not great. When I switched to the C1, nearly every person I had video calls with commented--unprompted--on the terrific image quality. One person said, "It looks like you're in a movie." Their Composer software is terrific and doesn't require a subscription anymore. And the mic (mics, actually) is outstanding--the best I've used short of a boom mic. I am concerned about the heat and I'm asking Opal what they're doing about that. While I don't touch the device in my setup, I am concerned about the long-term impact on the electronics.

[@JamesStuber]

I'll have to try the Opal again, I'm wondering if software updates improved the image quality. When I filmed this I was very disappointed given the price point

[@Stealther]

How’s it compare to the Logitech Brio? IMO The Brio is the camera to measure against.

[@JamesStuber]

I don’t own the brio but could pick it up for a comparison if enough people were interested. From what I’ve seen from reviews, the brio has better colors, 4k, and an ok built in mic. The facecam looks sharper in most situations and can do 1080 at 60fps.

[@منصورالقويعي-ل7ق]

I have the same question

[@WebFriendly]

I have the Elgato and it is nothing special I get way better video quality from an old iPhone 5 (granted I'm not streaming just recording my show - see my channel videos for example). Curious where did you see that Opal C1 is charing a subscription? I don't think I'd buy hardware that requires a subscription but I'm curious how much they are charging and why.

[@RobertWilson513]

You can use your iPhone on Mac! I use Reincubate Camo. The free version is more than enough. I bought the paid version for the additional configuration, but I'd say most people will be good with the free version.

[@JamesStuber]

Thanks for the tip, I'll give it a try. The next version of osx should let you do this without a third party app.

[@JamesStuber]

On a poll 29% of you said you'd spend more than $200 on a webcam! 🤯 Would you buy one of these two?

[@juanete69]

The best cameras nowadays are Elgato Facecam PRO (newer than yours), Insta 360 Link and Logitech Brio 4k.

[@AllenRunnings]

I believe you are confusing overheating with external heat from heat dissipation. The aluminum allows the heat to get away from the heat source and when paired with a heat sink, like the one found in the Opal C1. Working with cameras and LEDs, those who include heat sinks and metal dissipation are found to consistently last longer and have higher power capabilities. I have not used this camera and have no support of it, but wanted to clarify.

[@duckielouise]

In my experience - The Elgato has terrible color. Also, depending on the processing power of the computer, it glitches out because it taxes the machine / ports. I have not had a reliable experience.

[@JamesStuber]

Thanks for sharing your experience, that’s one big downside compared to the opal, which has its own processing chip on the webcam

[@mngmay]

Sweet dance moves 🕺