Elgato Facecam 4K: Webcam with HDR and change filters

The Elgato company, which specializes in live streaming, has presented a new webcam. The Facecam 4K is also suitable for video conferencing, but the focus is primarily on gamers that stream and comment on games with platforms such as Twitch.

Change filter for the optics

The plastic housing falls quite powerfully with a length of 10 centimeters and five centimeters wide, the lens is surrounded by a large ring. Filters with 49 mm thread of conventional cameras fit on these. With a polarization filter (also called pole or CPL filters), undesirable reflections are reduced. A star filter, on the other hand, reinforces the light fragments. For webcams, the support of such filters is a novelty. Elgato himself later wants to offer its own suitable polarization filter for 10 euros. Other filters from different manufacturers should fit the Facecam 4K.

The Facecam 4K can focus faces and objects at a distance of 30 to 120 centimeters; The image angle is 90 degrees. Exposure and alignment can also be easily adjusted manually via the additional software Elgato Camera Hub. Here you can also zoom digitally. Users can also save default settings. However, there are no extras such as a follow-up or table mode that many other webcams offer.

4K resolution and HDR

The camera is connected to Mac or PC via USB-C label and recognized via Universal Video Codec (UVC). If the port delivers at least 5 Gbit/s (USB 3.2 Gen 1, formerly called USB 3.0), the resolution is 4K (3840 × 2160 pixels) with a refresh rate of up to 60 fps. This ensures a liquid representation with low motion blur. Although there are other webcams with 4K resolution, most competitors only deliver 4K with a maximum of 30 fps. If you connect the Facecam 4K via USB 2.0, the resolution is a maximum of Full HD (1920 × 1080 pixels), albeit at up to 60 fps. The Facecam 4K has an HDR function that is supposed to improve the illumination of faces in poor light. However, the refresh rate then halves with 4K resolution.

Like other ELGATO webcams, the Facecam 4K must do without built -in microphone. However, external microphones usually sound better anyway. The Facecam 4K will be available from July 29 and costs 200 euros. The scope of delivery includes a USB-C cable and a monitor clamp. There is also a quarter -inch thread for tripod assembly in the camera housing. Elgato does not involve a lens cover of the camera, but wants to Offer your own web shop separately.