How to shop for a webcam and get the most for your money
A few weeks back, I penned an article that entailed Top Three Webcams you should purchase during this stay home quarantine. In that article, I briefly mentioned that I'm quite shocked at how webcams are the hottest selling items around. Many individuals are forced to work from home due to the outbreak of the coronavirus ( COVID-19), webcams have become the tech realm's disinfectant product. Many businesses and places of employment rely on human contact to build and maintain client relationships. If a laptop is your primary computing source, chances are the built-in camera is likely trash.
So what once was a tech device afterthought, webcams are now in high demand. The likes of the Logitech c920 series are flying off the shelves of Best Buy and Amazon. If you just so happened to stumbled upon this article, and plan on buying a webcam, here are some shopping guidelines you should follow and get the most for your money. As quality webcams can be pricey. Read along.
Which Type of Webcam is Needed
There's a divide down the middle of the market regarding webcams, coming in two categories: work, and live streaming. If you plan on purchasing a webcam for live streaming tasks, then be prepared to spend some money. Live streaming webcams can be an expensive option, retailing in upwards to about $300. But you usually get what you pay. What you get is features such as 4K video output, high-grade built-in microphones, and wide-angle lenses.
Keep in mind that video compression and lag can still be a problematic issue with most conference call apps such as Zoom, Skype, and GoToMeeting, so you will more than likely won't need a webcam that output 4K video if you're within a home office. The 1080p and even 720p webcams are more than sufficient.
Look For a Webcam With a Quality Built-in-Mic
A quality webcam will always include a built-in-microphone, but that does not always equate to quality sound output. Most users will situate their webcams on top of a monitor, directed away from your face. It's quite the norm for built-in-mics include background noise or even echo. If you plan on engaging in video streaming, try using sound dampening material. So you can minimize the background noise.
Most will use headsets or even a separate microphone, but these options may not be for you. When shopping for webcams, like with most tech products, do diligent research. If you have your sight set on a particular webcam, go on several websites and read the reviews on the built-in-microphone.
The Importance of Good Lighting
You won't find many webcams on the market with built-in lighting, mainly because it is not a standard feature. But there is a manufacture who is make this feature go mainstream. Razer produced a webcam that has an actual light ring on the cam, dubbed the Kiyo. Written reviews for this particular webcam have been quite positive. But if webcams with built-in lighting are not your thing, you can consider another option by merely having a quality lamp on your desk so that your webcam participants can see your face.
