There are a lot of cheap devices out there promising to allow you to easily digitize analog video footage from old formats like VHS or 8mm cassette. The Elgato Video Capture sticks out for being a bit more expensive than the competition, despite looking functionally identical to a lot of it. Despite this, it’s a popular choice. How come?

The simple answer is convenience. The Elgato Video Capture comes with its own tailored software designed to streamline the process of digitizing video. Whereas many other capture devices will require you to download third-party software like OBS and mess about with video codecs (and, not infrequently, manually update your USB drivers while swearing at your computer), the whole pitch of the Elgato is that it’s a plug-and-play digitizing device for analog video, one that basically anyone can use.

Is convenience worth the extra outlay? There’s only one way to find out – I loaded up my Canon camcorder with 8mm tape and shot some footage to digitize with the Elgato Video Capture.

Specifications

Price & availability

The Elgato Video Capture is available in the US and UK, for around $79 / £72. This is quite a jump from other capture devices, with similar options being available for around the $40 / £40 mark, and standalone devices with their own screens going for around $80 / £69. As we’ve already discussed, you’re essentially paying a premium for ease of use.

Design

I usually try to review products on their own merits without comparing them too much to others on the market. However, I recently tested the DigitNow Video Capture, and it is hard to ignore that the Elgato and DigitNow Video Captures are, externally, exactly the same, down to the lengths of their cables.

It’s a slim white box containing a capture card, with RCA and S-video inputs on one side, and a USB 2.0 output on the other. So, all my comments and criticisms on the DigitNow Video Capture also apply here. I like that the device is simple, portable, and comes bundled with the necessary cables, including a SCART adapter for VHS players. I don’t like that the output is the outdated USB 2.0 standard, meaning I have to use a USB dock to connect it to my Mac Mini. Come on guys – we’re firmly in the USB-C era.

And once again, this means that the Elgato Video Capture needs a computer in order to work, unlike standalone recorders with screens such as the DigitNow Full Media Recorder, which records directly to a card and has its own battery.

Performance

So, as we know, the Elgato Video Capture’s key selling point is that bespoke software – and I have to say, I was very impressed. Once I’d downloaded Elgato Video Capture (the software, which has the same name as the product) to my Mac, it instantly recognised the device and was ready to record.

You start by naming your video and optionally inputting how long it is. You’re next given options to select with regard to your video dimensions – you can pick 4:3 or 16:9 – and whether your input is S-video or RCA. After that, the software will do a quick audio test, and if everything’s working as it should, you’ll proceed to the record interface, which is delightfully simple. Hit the big red button to record; hit it again to stop.

One thing I like is that you can set the software to stop recording after a certain time limit if you know how long the footage is you want to capture – meaning you don’t have to babysit it. As with all of these simple video-capture devices, it plays and records in real time. So, if you have an hour-long home movie to digitize, the capture will take an hour.

Once you’re done recording, the next screen is an editing interface. It’s nothing complex – you can’t cut clips together or insert transitions – but for the simple task of trimming the ends off your clip, it’s perfect.

This done, your footage automatically saves to your hard drive, and the software will even publish straight to YouTube if you want it to. Lovely.

What you gain in simplicity, you lose in versatility. The software doesn’t offer the reams of codec and resolution options you’ll get with a third-party recording program like OBS or PotPlayer. You can capture 4:3 footage with a resolution of 640x480, or 16:9 footage with a resolution of 852x480, and you can optionally mute the audio. That’s pretty much it.

On PC you can apparently use the Elgato Video Capture with OBS, but the makers have confirmed it won’t work on Mac, and I only had a Mac for this test. Frankly though, the convenience of the Elgato software is a big part of what you’re paying for – if you want to use OBS, you might as well get the cheaper DigitNow Video Capture.

You can see the results of the Elgato Video Capture yourself in the sample video. The noise in the audio was present in the original recording, and isn't a product of the digitization process.

Verdict

I’ve tested a few different analog video capture devices now, and I have to say that if I were now faced with a mountain of camcorder tapes or VHS cassettes to digitize for myself, the Elgato Video Capture is the device I would reach for. That software is so smooth and polished that it just takes so much of the work out of the process. I can set up my capture, leave it alone while it records for the appropriate amount of time, trim the ends off if needed, and then an oven-ready, shareable MP4 file will drop neatly onto my hard drive.

However, if I were buying one of these devices, it’d be hard to ignore the fact that the less streamlined but otherwise very similar DigitNow Video Capture is half the price. I found that device trickier to get working, with different third-party software needed for capturing and editing. But ultimately, the end result was the same.

If you want a smooth, easy capturing process and have a bit more to spend, go with the Elgato. Whereas if you’re on a tight budget, and don’t mind doing a bit more tinkering with software (or, indeed, prefer to do so), then the DigitNow Video Capture will suit you better.

Alternatives

See our full guide to the best VHS to DVD converters

Dedicated webcams often don’t have much in common with interchangeable lens cameras, but a new option from Elgato is the first webcam to support threaded lens filters. The Elgato Facecam 4K supports 49mm threaded filters, a feature that allows the webcam to use the same camera filters that are typically designed with interchangeable lenses in mind.

Support for threaded filters allows the Elgato Facecam 4K to support a number of different added effects. Users could slip on a diffusion filter for light blooms and softer skin, a starburst filter to add interest to that background lighting, or perhaps a polarizing filter so you can block whoever is on the other end from seeing details of what’s outside the window behind you.

The company says that the new webcam delivers “DSLR-like 4K60 video,” in part because the camera allows users to adjust factors like shutter speed, ISO, and white balance. The webcam’s software even supports LUTs for color-grading live video, as well as HDR support.

The Facecam 4K uses a 1/1.8-inch Sony Starvis 2 sensor, a series designed for enhancing image quality in low light. That’s combined with a custom-made prime lens and the company’s latest processor.

The webcam’s list of features also includes auto-framing using a face tracking tool and support for Stream Deck.

Elgato, a subsidiary of Corsair, says that the webcam is designed for creators.

“As the creator economy evolves, we see opportunities to expand what a streaming webcam can do, especially through software, filters, and deeper app integrations,” said Thi La, CEO of Corsiar. “We’re excited to give creators the tools they need to enhance their brand image, and this is just one step in our broader plan to drive further innovation.”

The Elgato FaceCam 4K, which works with both Mac and Windows devices, retails for $199.99 / £179.99. The webcam is available from Elgato’s website and Amazon.

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The Elgato Prompter is now just $189.99 on Amazon – down from $299.99, saving you a whopping $110 on one of the best teleprompters around!

• See all of today's Amazon Prime Camera deals

It’s not the flashiest bit of kit, but the Elgato Prompter has been on my radar for a while now, and today, it’s finally at a price that’s too good to ignore. As part of Amazon Prime Day, it’s down to £189.99 from the usual £279.99; that’s 32% off and the lowest price it’s ever been on Amazon!

For me, the appeal is simple. Whenever I’m filming talking-head videos or recording content where I need to deliver key points, I often stumble on my words. Either I try to memorize everything (and forget half of it), or I glance awkwardly off-camera at my notes. The Elgato Prompter is designed to solve exactly that.

Unlike traditional teleprompters that need a separate tablet or phone, this one has a built-in 13-inch Full HD display; essentially, it works just like an extra monitor.

You can drag your script, talking points, Twitch chat, or even a Zoom window right onto it. Everything stays in your eyeline, so you maintain proper eye contact with the camera while still reading naturally.

It’s surprisingly versatile too. It connects via USB-C for both power and data and works with Windows, Mac (with free DisplayLink software), and even Android. It’s also designed to fit more cameras than most other prompters, including setups with wide lenses, and it integrates with Elgato’s Camera Hub app for adjusting text appearance or displaying chat overlays. If you use a Stream Deck, it slots perfectly into that workflow too.

Honestly, it’s one of those tools that just makes sense if you’re tired of juggling notes, glancing off-screen, or trying to wing it on camera. The setup is simple – attach your camera, plug it in, and you’re ready to go.

The Elgato Prompter is now just $189.99 on Amazon – down from $299.99, saving you a whopping $110 on one of the best teleprompters around!

• See all of today's Amazon Prime Camera deals

It’s not the flashiest bit of kit, but the Elgato Prompter has been on my radar for a while now, and today, it’s finally at a price that’s too good to ignore. As part of Amazon Prime Day, it’s down to $189.99 from the usual $299.99; that’s 37% off and the lowest price it’s ever been on Amazon!

For me, the appeal is simple. Whenever I’m filming talking-head videos or recording content where I need to deliver key points, I often stumble on my words. Either I try to memorize everything (and forget half of it), or I glance awkwardly off-camera at my notes. The Elgato Prompter is designed to solve exactly that.

Unlike traditional teleprompters that need a separate tablet or phone, this one has a built-in 13-inch Full HD display; essentially, it works just like an extra monitor.

You can drag your script, talking points, Twitch chat, or even a Zoom window right onto it. Everything stays in your eyeline, so you maintain proper eye contact with the camera while still reading naturally.

It’s surprisingly versatile too. It connects via USB-C for both power and data and works with Windows, Mac (with free DisplayLink software), and even Android. It’s also designed to fit more cameras than most other prompters, including setups with wide lenses, and it integrates with Elgato’s Camera Hub app for adjusting text appearance or displaying chat overlays. If you use a Stream Deck, it slots perfectly into that workflow too.

Honestly, it’s one of those tools that just makes sense if you’re tired of juggling notes, glancing off-screen, or trying to wing it on camera. The setup is simple – attach your camera, plug it in, and you’re ready to go.

Corsair-owned Elgato manufactures some of the best gaming and streaming peripherals on the market, including lighting, microphones, and stream decks. Launched as part of its new affordable hardware line it has just released the Elgato Facecam Neo.

Whether we like it or not webcams have become a large part of working life in the 21st century, and to look your most professional, you need a camera that offers a level-up from your computer's default. The Elgato Facecam Neo aims to do this at a more affordable price point.

The Elgato Neo line of products was announced earlier this year to provide affordable and minimalistic hardware options for live streams and video calls. The Neo line includes a microphone, LED light, capture card, and Stream Deck, and with the launch of the new Facecam Neo, the set is complete.

The Facecam Neo provides the user with full HD 1080P image quality at 60 frames per second, an enhanced video experience compared to most in-built webcams with less motion blur.

Complete with a CMOS sensor, the camera has an equivalent focal length of 26mm and an aperture of f/2, offering a wide enough focal length and aperture for isolating the subject in the frame.

The Facecam is as simple as plug and play via the braided USB-C cable, facilitating set up in seconds. The camera is also designed to be utilized to fit every space and every screen with the adjustable monitor mount, whether attached to your laptop in a coffee shop or a larger monitor at home or office.

The camera's HDR capabilities combat poor lighting conditions by balancing the highlights and shadows, including the all-to-common direct sunlight from the office window.

For further refinement, the Facecam comes with optional access to Elgato's Camera Hub software, which enables users to frame shots and adjust settings such as contrast, saturation, and sharpness.

Other notable features of the Facecam Neo include a privacy shutter, a 77º field of view, and a tripod mount.

The Facecam Neo seamlessly slots into the Neo ecosystem of Elgato products, bringing together everything you need for professional live-streaming and video calls.

The Elgato Facecam Neo is available now for $99.99 / £99.99 / AU $159. It is also available in the Neo Creator Bundle which includes the Facecam Neo, Key Light Neo, Wave Neo, Stream Deck Neo, and Game Capture Neo at the price of $399.99 / £399.99.

Check out our guides to the best budget webcams, the best webcams for working from home, and the best 4K webcams.

Elgato is an absolute juggernaut in the streaming space, offering just about everything a prospective streamer or video creator could need, from microphones and webcams to stream decks and capture cards. Now it’s adding teleprompters to that impressive line-up with the Elgato Prompter.

Most of the best teleprompters on the market are little more than fancy boxes with two-way mirrors in them. This means they’re reliant on you using a teleprompter app on another device, like a smartphone or tablet, to display the actual text. The Elgato Prompter differentiates itself here because it has a built-in display.

I’ve been dipping my toes into the world of making YouTube videos recently and wanted to check out a teleprompter to see if it made recording easier, so this is the perfect opportunity to put the Elgato Prompter through its paces.

Elgato Prompter: Specifications

Elgato Prompter: Price

The Elgato Prompter costs $279.99 / £279.99 and can be purchased directly from Elgato, as well as third-party camera and electronics retailers. That makes this teleprompter significantly more expensive than the other options on our best teleprompters list — but, as it’s the only one that includes a display device, this makes sense 

When ordering via Elgato, you can also create your own bundles with other Elgato products to save money. At the time of writing, you can get a key light mini and cold shoe add-on for free (normally costing $84.98).

At launch, the Prompter was so popular that it was damn near impossible to actually find — it was out of stock on Elgato’s site regularly. Now that the launch buzz has died down, supply has caught up with demand.

Elgato Prompter: Design & Handling

Even just unpacking the Elgato Prompter, it’s clear that it’s a premium product thanks to the custom-cut cardboard packaging (which is almost entirely recyclable). Inside the box you get the Prompter itself, USB-C to USB-A 3.0 cable (78.7in / 200 cm), L-bracket for attaching cameras, DSLR/Mirrorless camera ring backplate, 9x DSLR/Mirrorless step-up rings, Facecam Pro backplate, universal shroud backplate and all the mounting screws required. You also get a handy quick-start guide and a cleaning cloth too, which is a nice touch.

Measuring 8.9 x 8.6 x 11.1 inches with the universal mount attached, the Prompter is made primarily from matte black plastic and weighs just 690g / 1.52 lbs without accessories. The Elgato logo is etched into the top of the device, flanked on either side by two hot shoe mounting points, where you can attach lights, microphones, etc.

On the business end of the Elgato Prompter, you’ll find the 9-inch, 1024 x 600px resolution display mounted facing upwards with a sheet of “beamsplitter” glass above it — this glass reflects the image coming up from the screen, acting as a two-way mirror to let your camera see through from behind. Overall, it's a slick piece of kit that looks professional and high quality, which is what I’d expect from Elagto.

I found setting up the Prompter was a breeze. First, figure out which backplate you’ll need. If you’re using a DSLR or mirrorless camera with a compatible, threaded lens, then you’ll want to attach the ring backplate. Figure out which step-up ring you need by matching the listed diameter to your lens — you can find your lens diameter quickly by looking at the inside of the lens cap. Screw on the step-up ring to your camera’s lens, and then attach the camera to the teleprompter by slotting the ring into the backplate (and screwing the camera in place with the included ¼in screw for added stability). In this setup, the Elgato Prompter effectively hangs off the front of your camera, which will be mounted on a tripod. Note that there are extra ¼in mounting points on the Prompter if you want to add an additional anchor point.

Delightfully simple… for people who have a compatible lens. I do not, as it turns out — I’m using a Nikon Z-30 with a NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR lens, which is not threaded and, at 46mm in diameter, is smaller than the smallest step-up ring to boot. So, I got to test out the process for mounting generic cameras (and smartphones, although you’ll need to provide your own phone mount) to the Prompter. Fortunately, it’s just as simple.

If you’re using Elgato’s Facecam Pro webcam, then there’s a specific backplate for that. For everyone else, the generic camera option is suitable for any kind of proper camera, as well as webcams and smartphones. You attach the included L-bracket to the Prompter, then attach your camera to the bracket via a ¼in screw, cover your camera with the built-in shroud to block out light spillage and you’re good to go.

Honestly, I much prefer this setup to Elgato’s needless complex ring system. You don’t need a specific lens, and you don’t end up hanging a heavy teleprompter from your expensive camera lens since it mounts on the L-bracket. Without the ring as a guide, you need to manually make sure the camera is pointing straight ahead, but that’s easy enough.

Once the camera is mounted, you’ll need to connect the Prompter to a computer, laptop, or tablet via the included USB-C cable. This cable plugs into the back-right side of the screen and has a 90° angle connection to keep everything looking nice and tidy. From there just load up the Elgato Camera Hub app (available as a free download on Elgato’s website) and it should automatically detect the Prompter. I had to update my DisplayLink driver on my PC before it would work, which was frustrating, but to Elgato’s credit, they do have an article addressing this issue on their website.

Elgato Prompter: Performance

Continuing the focus on ease of use, setting up the Prompter using the app is a breeze. The Elgato Camera Hub app has a simple and easy-to-follow layout, with all the options for configuring your text appearing on the left-hand side.

From here you can easily change the text speed, size, font, color, and more to suit your needs. As a big nerd, the first thing I did was change the text color to yellow so it looked like the Star Wars text scroll.

The controls mean that you can increase the text size, so you can use the Prompter from further away. The larger your text, the more precise your scroll speed timings will need to be if you’re reading longer sections of text. I found it easy to tweak these settings to the perfect combination by doing some practice readings. While the app will remember your previous settings by default,  it’s a shame that there is no way to save multiple different profiles. There is also no button to reset everything to default, which seems like a strange oversight.

Once I had all my text set up, I found the Prompter to be a joy to use. It displays text super clearly, and there is enough brightness from the display to create the necessary two-way mirror effect. You can kind of see the camera behind the screen if you look for it, but it’s not distracting and doesn’t muddy up the image quality at all.

Being able to read my script as I recorded meant that I could concentrate on being more animated and entertaining in my presentation. This is true of any teleprompter, yet what I appreciated about the Elgato was how simple it made everything, from set up and use, to being able to quickly tweak the text speed or size on the fly.

I do wish it had a remote control, or even just an app that syncs up with your computer so you can quickly pause and rewind the Prompter. You can use a Stream Deck if you have one, but it’s annoying to have this functionality locked behind another proprietary device. Even with the perfect speed nailed down, during testing I would occasionally flub a line and then I’d have to wander over to the computer and reset the text position, which ruined my flow even more.

You can also mirror your screen on the Prompter. So, if you’re chatting over Zoom or Skype, you can display the video on the Prompter and whoever you’re calling will see you looking straight at them. It’s a niche use case, probably best suited to recording video interviews and giving presentations, but if you need a Prompter for work, it’s a nice little bonus.

The ability to put Twitch chat in there is potentially much more exciting. Not only does it act as a second screen for streamers, freeing up your main screen for your game, but it also means that when you’re reading out chats, you’ll be looking right at the camera, establishing a more personal connection with your audience.

Needing to be connected to a device in general is another drawback here, as it kind of defeats the point of the integrated screen. Sure, you don’t need to use your phone or tablet to project the image, but you still need to film near your PC, or have a laptop on hand to run the app. But at that point, you’d be bolting a tiny tablet to this thing, instead of a tiny monitor, and that would certainly have just increased the weight and cost. I can see why Elgato made this trade-off, but it’s a flaw worth noting.

Elgato Prompter: Verdict

The Elgato Prompter does exactly what you’d want and expect it to — it simplifies the experience of setting up and using a teleprompter, making it more accessible to even more people. You don’t need to download sketchy apps to your phone or tablet, you just plug it in, open the tailor-made app, and away you go. It’s thoughtfully designed to ensure compatibility with just about any camera, and the wealth of customization options means that you’re able to modify the display to suit your video style.

The ring system is a neat, if slightly over engineered, way of attaching cameras with perfect alignment. However, I wish they’d included a 46mm ring as that’s quite a common diameter for vlogging/video lenses. Thankfully, their universal attachment method works a charm. 

I think the Elgato Prompter offers tremendous value for the cost, but it’s still not cheap. If you’re already making videos and want to improve your on-screen presence, this is the best teleprompter out there. If you’re just starting out, I’d say get a less pricey option or just skip the teleprompter altogether until you’re more invested in videography and content creation.

Alternatives

The Elgato Prompter is fairly unique in the market in that it has a built-in screen. If you don’t mind using your phone or tablet as the display, there are a bunch of cheaper options out there that you could try.

Elgato has just unveiled a first-of-its-kind teleprompter designed to revolutionize video production for content creators. Demand for teleprompters is on the increase due to the growing number of people who now live-stream content, record podcasts, upload educational material, deliver training online, and more! By 2030 it’s expected the global teleprompter market will be worth $1.48 billion and devices such as the Elgato Prompter are the main reason. 

Unlike the best teleprompters of the past, the Elgato prompter attaches directly to cameras or webcams, enabling creators to maintain eye contact with their audience. It’s powered by a computer and comes with Elgato’s free Camera Hub software which can be used to display video scripts or stream chat effortlessly. With a built-in 9-inch screen it eliminates the need for an external smartphone or tablet – as used in some DIY alternatives – and it can even be used with applications such as Zoom. 

• Check out the best cameras for streaming on Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook Live

This innovative product offers unprecedented compatibility and Stream Deck support which is set to redefine online communication. Twitch streamers can now interact with their chat while maintaining eye contact with the camera. YouTubers recording for an edit still benefit from staying on script which reduces the need for reshooting and editing. It can also be used just like you would an external monitor by dragging and dropping your monitor display onto its screen so if you're live streaming with someone you can see them at the same time. 

Using the Camera Hub software (which is available for both PC and Mac) users can customize the prompter's display by personalizing text and the addition of the Stream Deck pluigin means creators can control the prompter with a keyboard shortcut, dial turns or even foot taps! 

Jeff Stegner, Product Manager at Elgato, said, "We built Prompter to be the true all-in-one solution for content creators. For years, consumer teleprompters offered only half the equation, requiring an additional smartphone or tablet. Meanwhile, studio devices with a built-in display were too expensive for most creators. Prompter is the best of both worlds." It is much cheaper than the classic Autocue (a trade name), but uses the same principle for the kind of shooting most common today.

What sets the Prompter apart is its unrivaled compatibility, working seamlessly with hundreds of webcams, cameras, and smartphones including the Sony ZV-1 and the Insta 360 Link. While all DSLR and mirrorless cameras will work with the Elgato Prompter, it won’t work with cameras that have a ¼-inch mount or fields of view wider than 20mm, so it's best to check the prompter compatibility before investing. 

Elgato is taking preorders on the prompter now and expects to ship in December, with prices starting at $279.99/£279.99/AU$440.28. 

The Elgato Facecam looks aesthetically as if someone smashed together a DSLR camera with a traditional webcam, which is actually a pretty apt description of the performance you can expect from the product. For most streamers, webcams have a shelf life. If your broadcast takes off and you gain a larger following, the next step for many is to upgrade your existing equipment such as from a gaming headset to a dedicated USB or XLR microphone. 

One of the biggest investments is usually to upgrade away from using a webcam to a professional camera such as the Sony ZV-1 or the Sony A6100, both of which are popular amongst Twitch users and YouTubers. The leap in quality from something like a Logitech C920 is worth every penny, but it left a gap in the market for professional streaming webcams to occupy.

This is where the Elgato Facecam shines. There are other offerings available now in this small category, such as the Razer Kiyo Pro and the Dell Ultrasharp, and while they certainly have their own pros and cons, Elgato is a company that specializes in creating hardware for streamers and content creators, something which gives the Facecam an edge over the competition.

What makes it so great is that many features you’d expect to be a standard on webcams such as autofocus and built-in microphones have been completely omitted because they become more of a hindrance than an asset during a broadcast. 

This makes it less suited for the everyday user just looking to join some meetings via Zoom, especially if you find the retail price of $199.99 / £189.99 hard to digest, but if you require an upgrade or are looking to jump right into streaming with a little extra cash in your pocket, the Elgato Facecam should be bought to your attention.

Specifications: Elgato Facecam

Resolution: 1080p

Field of view: 83.2 degrees

Frame rate: 60FPS

Digital zoom: Yes, 4x

Inbuilt microphone: No

Autofocus: No

Privacy cover: Yes

Connection: USB type C to USB 3.0

Key features

As mentioned, part of what makes the Elgato Facecam rather unique is that rather than cram a mediocre microphone into the product, this webcam doesn't have a mic at all.

Two of the most important things for online broadcasting are your lighting and audio quality, which means most will be prepared to purchase a separate recording device, be that a stick-style mic on a gaming headset or a dedicated USB microphone. Elgato even sells its own, the Wave 3 USB microphone, if you wanted to keep things in the family.

Not including a mic helps to reduce any nuisance when setting up your audio settings across various applications, and many content creators know the pain of recording and interview or video, only to find that your voice was being picked up on your webcam mic rather than the fancy XLR you’d set up.

The Facecam is also fixed-focus, another feature that will appeal to people who broadcast frequently. Some webcams like the Razer Kiyo Pro and the Logitech Brio can have an especially sensitive autofocus that will try and reframe you every 20-30 seconds, something that will make any video footage you capture look messy.

The thing is, we’re sure that most everyday users will be affected by the loss of an on-board microphone or autofocus either, especially given how expensive the Elgato Facecam is. If you wanted either of those features, chances are you don’t need something streaming-specific, in which case there are plenty of more affordable offerings to better suit your needs.

Another niche feature is that the Facecam sports eight built-in features that each supposedly serve a different purpose, the benefits of which are listed below:

Aspherical Surface: Maximizes image perimeter sharpness

IR Cut Filter: Blocks infrared light from disrupting the sensor

Low Dispersion Glass: Reduces chromatic aberration, enhances contrast, tonality and sharpness. Constant transmittance over the entire color spectrum. Neutral colors, no tint, no color distortion

Eighteen Anti-Reflective Coatings: Improves transmittance, prevents lens flare, and preserves image detail

Elgato has also included a Sony STARVIS CMOS sensor in the device, something typically used in high-quality security cameras that aids in low-light filming environments. It feels like an odd choice, but the Facecam does cope well in dimly-lit environments, even without the help of a ring light or key light.

Build and handling

The shape of the product is rather unusual, with a cube-like ‘head’ that more closely resembles an action camera than a typical webcam. Still, the design is inoffensive and doesn’t take up too much room if placed on top of a laptop or monitor despite measuring in at 3 x 1.5 x 2 inches. The L-style mount means that you can place the Facecam directly onto a desk if you don’t enjoy having it at eye level, and also fully detaches to reveal a standard tripod thread, which gives you plenty of placement options when setting up your broadcast.

Build quality is decent, though the Facecam is constructed mostly from black plastic which can feel a little cheap considering the asking price. You do also get a lens cap cover for privacy if you care about that sort of thing.

The included USB-C to USB-A cable measures in at about 80 inches long and presents itself with some offer issues you may need to be aware of - the Elgato Facecam can be especially fussy with what ports you’re plugging it into. Make sure you have a USB 3.0 port free as the webcam won’t work with anything else, making it unusable for those with older hardware or slim laptops that lack available ports.

Performance

Like several other streaming-specific webcams on the market, the Elgato Facecam offers 1080p resolution quality at a smooth 60fps, which is more than ample for recording on smaller windows for Twitch and YouTube gaming. You could also get away with using the Facecam to record full YouTube videos, though the quality is noticeably different from that of a true DSLR camera.

The footage itself is also oversaturated, and we have mixed feelings about that. In darker environments (picture a typical streamer setup with RGB lighting and no main light source), this is actually beneficial as it helps to make your surroundings pop, but if you’re already well lit it can be overstimulating and unnatural.

Luckily you can change this using the Elgato Camera Hub software, which is a real joy to use compared with webcam applications from brands like Logitech or AVerMedia. Its easy to use and feature-packed, providing a full range of options to change the contrast, saturation, shutter speed, field-of-view (with a handy slider rather than fixed options), and more.

If you want more detailed edits then Elgato has included an intuitive ISO reader, a great asset for content creators who use studio lighting (or indeed Elgato’s own Key or Ring lights). When you’ve made all the adjustments you need to the settings, you can save your adjustments as a new default setting to the webcams onboard flash memory to avoid messing with it every time you start broadcasting.

Verdict: Elgato Facecam

The Elgato Facecam is certainly a pricey purchase, but its features (or lack thereof) make it our top pick for streamers who are looking to upgrade from a less powerful webcam, but aren't ready for the leap into using a full professional camera setup yet.

If you’re just looking for a good quality webcam for work or keeping in touch with family however, the expense might not be worth it, especially if you don’t already have a dedicated USB microphone or headset. There are more affordable options like the Logitech C930 or even the Logitech Streamcam in those cases. If you value quality broadcasting though, the Facecam is worth every penny you pay for it.

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Illuminate on command with this impressive new LED panel from Elgato. Perfect for gamers, travellers and vloggers, this handheld light box can be used anywhere. 

Powered by battery or mains, the Key Light Mini is ideal for expelling light in any location from the studio to the streets, with the same iconic Elgato Key Light technology now available in a tiny but mighty portable format. 

• Read more: Best ring light •  Best lights for Zoom calls

Flicker-free LEDs are used in the design of this device to keep the Key Light Mini cool while edge-lit architecture and multiple diffusion layers provide indirect, ultra-soft illumination. You won’t be blinded by the light as The Weeknd or Bruce Springsteen might say, but your subject will certainly be well lit.

The bright 800-Lumen (total amount of visible light emitted) LED output of the Key Light Mini is fully dimmable using its unique app and onboard controls. The light-guide plate diffuses light evenly across the panel, with a color range of 2900-7000k shifting tones of sunset amber through to arctic blue. 

The Key Light Mini has several complex layers and design features, a translucent grid panel breaks light into millions of beams, while the double-layer diffuser and opal glass proceeds to blend these beams together resulting in a seamless photon transmission of light that is indirect and easy on the eyes. 

The Elgato Workshop video below explains every key detail you need to know about its new product, the Key Light Mini, from Wifi settings to how to adjust the brightness and color settings. The video also explains how the control centre works with the Key Light Mini to allow users to remotely and wirelessly control the light output and other adjustable features such as energy saver from a distance. 

The Key Light Mini is compatible with multiple devices and can be controlled with the Elgato Stream Deck device and other app interfaces. Controlling your lighting setup remotely and discreetly can be super handy in situations where you can't get up and move, streamers mid-game for example. Although, the video does not specify if more than one Key Light Mini can be controlled by the app at the same time, when using a multi-Key-light setup or the larger Elgato Key Light predecessor. 

With a standard mounting thread and rechargeable mains battery, the Key Light Mini is destined for those rural and middle of nowhere film and photography locations. The Key Light Mini can also make a great desk companion and be mounted to your monitor so you can shine and look your best on those office zoom meetings, (monitor mount not included).

It appears this handy little device has limitless potential and uses during our daily lives and you'd be shady not to get one! Whether you're streaming, working on a remote shoot or you simply need a reading light to help you study, the Key Light Mini is practical for any profession. You can bag yourself one for $99.99 / £89.99 /AU$140.

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