Icon: enlarge
The tested webcams and micros
Photo: Gerd Blank
To the author
Gerd Blank has been writing about everything that runs on electricity and about camping topics for a quarter of a century.
After positions at the “Financial Times Deutschland”, “Stern” and “Audi Magazin”, he now works as a freelance editor and journalist.
Sure, hardly anyone can hear the word video conference anymore.
But communication on the screen has now become an important part of our professional and private everyday life.
It is foreseeable that conversations via Zoom, Teams, FaceTime, Skype and whatever the services are called will remain with us even after the pandemic.
The emergency solution has become everyday.
And there is not only the best possible picture, but also a clean sound for good sound.
Who likes to talk to someone who is barely recognizable and difficult to understand for all the pixels?
This text contains so-called affiliate links, through which the publisher, but never the author individually, receives a small commission from the dealer for sales.
E-Commerce Commissions: Shop Links on SPIEGEL.de - Questions and Answers
Almost all notebooks and smartphones now have cameras and microphones, but this basic equipment does not always meet the requirements.
This is also due to the positioning of the computer, sometimes the viewing angle and sometimes the distance to the camera.
The lighting conditions also play a role.
When it comes to sound, the built-in microphones are often too far away from the speaker, are often of poor quality and are oriented in such a way that they record every sound in the room, including that of other family members or colleagues.
With a good external microphone you are better positioned.
For this test I tried three current webcams and two external microphones.
That's how we tested
Processing:
How well are the camera and microphone processed?
Setup and operation:
How quickly is the hardware ready to go - and how well does it work in everyday life?
Price-performance:
Is it worth the purchase?
Logitech StreamCam
"Oh, it's nice," said my wife as I unpacked the camera.
Yes, the look has to be right - in two senses.
You don't just look into the camera, you can also see her sitting on the screen all day.
The Logitech StreamCam, which is available in black and white, definitely looks good on the outside.
The camera is about the size of an action cam and offers several mounting options.
The standard bracket can be easily clamped onto a flat screen or notebook display.
The camera can be used both horizontally and vertically - depending on which image format you prefer.
The portrait position in conjunction with the free Logitech Capture software is certainly interesting for smartphone streamers or for the production of Instagram stories, I prefer the landscape format.
The camera can be attached to a tripod with a second bracket.
The StreamCam is connected to the computer via a permanently installed USB-C cable.
This is useful for newer computers, if you still have a computer without USB-C, you have to use an adapter.
Unfortunately, there is no cap to cover the lens.
Icon: enlarge Photo: Gerd Blank
It took two minutes from unpacking to switching on.
As soon as the camera is connected to the USB port, it can be selected as the video source in the video chat program of your choice.
Two microphones are also built in.
If they are to be used, the camera must also be activated as an audio source.
But I wouldn't recommend that, because the tone sounds tinny and out of round.
In contrast, the image from the Full HD camera is very sharp in good lighting conditions and, thanks to the 60 images per second, also very fluid.
There is a bit of noise for that and the colors are clearly too bright. In addition, Logitech's camera obviously has problems focusing on the user when moving quickly.
It then always takes a moment until the image is brought into focus again.
But despite these small flaws, the camera does a good job.
The overall quality is certainly sufficient for video conferences, but the performance is not optimal for streaming on video platforms.
And the price is too high for that - no matter how pretty the StreamCam looks.
From a purely external point of view, optics is not everything in a camera.
👍 simple operation
👍 decent video quality
👍 variable image format
👎 moderate sound
👎 high price
👎 hardwired cable
Razer Kiyo Pro
With the Kiyo, Razer originally developed a camera for gamers and streamers.
The highlight was the built-in light ring that brightened the face a little.
The Pro version dispenses with the additional light - and that is not even necessary here.
Because even dim rooms are no problem for the Kiyo Pro, it produces an appealing image even in adverse lighting conditions.
It will of course be better if the workplace is properly lit, then the picture is crisp, the colors rich and lifelike.
Icon: enlargePhoto:
Gerd Blank
The versatile bracket for the camera can be attached to the monitor or to a tripod using a screw thread.
Or you just put them on the table.
The position of the lens can be adjusted a little thanks to the movable suspension so that the viewing angle is correct.
There is a USB-C port on the camera, but the supplied textile cable is equipped with a classic USB-A plug at the other end.
Mounted on my monitor, the Kiyo Pro's large camera lens reminded me of "Sauron's Eye" from "The Lord of the Rings."
In any case, it is not inconspicuous.
A clearly visible LED indicates when it is activated.
What you need to know about video conferencing
What kind of internet connection do I need for a video conference? Up arrow Down arrow
In order to be able to participate in a video conference, you don't need a particularly fast internal connection.
Zoom, for example, recommends between 600 kilobits per second (Kbit / s) and 3 megabits per second (Mbit / s) depending on the number of participants.
Most connections manage that.
It is often more important to bring this bandwidth to the computer that is used for the video conference.
The best way to do this is with a network cable that is connected directly to the Internet router.
If you use a WLAN, you should make sure that its signal is strong enough to reach the computer.
If the connection breaks, you have to bring the computer and router closer to each other or use a repeater or mesh WiFi.
If the connection is still bumpy, check to see if other family members are using the line with large downloads, online games, or video conferencing.
Do I need an extra camera for a video conference? Up arrow Down arrow
Most notebooks and many computers with a built-in monitor (called all-in-one computers) already have a built-in camera for video conferencing.
However, their quality is often insufficient for a really good picture.
In such cases and for desktop PCs without a built-in camera, you need an external webcam, which is usually connected via USB.
It is not only the resolution of the camera that is important - 720p is sufficient, 1080p is good, 4K is usually more than necessary.
The camera's refresh rate also plays a role.
The minimum is around 15 frames per second.
Measurements are made here in fps, frames per second.
The transmission is smooth from around 30 fps, with 60 fps even fast movements in front of the camera can be recorded without flicker.
When is an additional microphone worthwhile? Up arrow Down arrow
Most notebooks and many all-in-one computers have one or more microphones built in.
Their quality varies greatly depending on the manufacturer.
In addition, they are relatively far away from the speaker if you sit in an ergonomically sensible position in front of the computer.
If you notice that you are poorly understood by the other chat participants or who complain about too much background noise, an additional microphone is worthwhile.
With an external microphone, which is usually connected via USB, you can often significantly improve the sound of your own voice for the other conference participants, especially if this microphone is on a tripod or stand close to the speaker.
Depending on the model, such microphones can also be set so that they only pick up the sound from one direction, so that not so much background noise is picked up.
What are the advantages of a headset? Up arrow Down arrow
Especially if you are not alone in the room where you are participating in a video conference, a headset is worthwhile.
The cable headphones supplied with a smartphone are often sufficient for this.
Headsets that rest on the ear or that enclose the ear often offer better sound quality.
A built-in noise suppression helps to block out disturbing background noises.
We recommend headsets with a microphone boom that places the microphone close to the speaker's mouth, because these usually ensure better speech intelligibility than those with microphones integrated into the ear cups.
The same applies to wireless in-ear headsets, where models with a microphone arm, such as those offered by Poly, transmit speech better than those with microphones in the earphones themselves.
Do I need dedicated video lights for video conferencing? Up arrow Down arrow
One of the most important prerequisites for looking good in video conferencing is having adequate lighting.
Ideally, there is enough daylight coming in through the window.
On dark days and evenings, however, you should help with lamps, which should preferably be placed in front of the user to illuminate the face.
If in doubt, a desk lamp is sufficient, ideally combined with a ceiling lamp.
LED lights are also ideal for on the go or for parallel use when filming and taking photos.
With all of this it is important to make sure that the light comes from the front and not from the back.
A bright lamp in the background can mean that the user can only be reproduced by the camera as a silhouette.
Should I have a "plan B" in case something goes wrong in a video conference? Up arrow Down arrow
If something goes wrong despite having good equipment and preparation, you need to be able to switch quickly.
If the internet connection breaks down or the computer goes down, have a smartphone or tablet ready with which you can continue conferencing over the cellular network.
You should have installed, set up and tried out the app you are using beforehand.
And if all else fails, dial in by phone, many conference systems offer this option.
To do this, however, you must first have noted the corresponding telephone number, the conference ID and the login ID.
The image quality of the Full HD camera is very good.
With 60 frames per second, it reproduces movements very smoothly.
However, if you move quickly in front of the camera, the Kiyo Pro will run into problems.
For example, if you walk away from or towards her, it always takes a while until the image is focused again.
In an online seminar this sometimes took several seconds.
The automatic light adjustment also reacts slowly.
The built-in microphones, on the other hand, are quite sensitive and their sound is pleasantly good.
However, it is annoying that you have to install the Razer Synapse software for some functions.
For example, if you want to change the captured image section.
A switch on the camera could regulate this better.
A cap is included in the package that can be placed on the lens.
Despite a few flaws, the Kiyo Pro is a coherent overall package, but at a far too high price: For around 200 euros, the camera should not only have the Pro in its name, but also behave professionally in all respects.
👍 very high picture quality
👍 good sound
👍 practical installation options
👎 sluggish focusing
👎 problems with light fluctuations
👎 high price
Creative Live!
Cam Sync 1080p
The Live!
Creative's Cam is only a quarter of what Razer charges for the Kiyo Pro.
When you open the packaging, you quickly notice where the manufacturer has saved: the camera is very light, it feels like a children's toy and not like a piece of high-tech.
At least a lens cover is included.
The bracket for the monitor can also be screwed onto a tripod, the camera is flexibly attached to it with a joint.
In contrast to the other two cameras, the Live!
very wide, the USB-A cable is firmly attached to the back.
Icon: enlarge Photo: Gerd Blank
The technical values sound good at first: the full HD camera manages at least 30 frames per second, two microphones record the sound.
Special software is not required: plug it in, start the chat program, select the camera and start chatting.
At the start I had to blink a bit, because the picture shown was very bright and pale.
In addition, my likeness was displayed far too sharply, as if I had pushed the focus control too far to the right in an image editing program.
It looked almost like the year 1999, when Michael Jackson appeared in Saarbrücken on “Wetten, dass ..?”: Far too bright, far too far removed from reality.
After changing the lighting in the room, the picture got better - if not perfect.
The integrated wide-angle optics are great, as several people can be captured by the camera next to each other.
The sound that the two microphones record is only okay if you are sitting relatively close in front of the camera and there is no background noise in the room.
The image hardly differs from what most notebook cameras bring to the screen.
But if you are looking for a camera that can be set up flexibly to show your face in school lessons or at short meetings, you can still use it with confidence.
The price-performance ratio is okay and it is easy to use.
And because the camera is so light, it won't be damaged if it overturns.
👍 Practical wide-angle
optics 👍 affordable price
👍 camera is very light
👎 Processing looks cheap
👎 Sensitive to changes in
light 👎 Image display is sometimes unnatural
RØDE NT-USB
Gamers, YouTubers and podcasters have known it for a long time: anyone who communicates a lot via computer and wants their own voice to come into their own needs a good microphone.
The simplest variant is a USB microphone because no additional accessories are required and no special software needs to be installed.
That's why I bought the NT-USB from the Australian manufacturer Røde some time ago.
It is a so-called condenser microphone that meets even higher demands and is used by many streamers and podcasters.
Icon: enlarge Photo: Gerd Blank
It is practical that it comes with a tripod, a ring holder and a pop filter, so it is ready for use immediately.
There are two rotary controls on the housing.
The upper one controls the volume ratio of the microphone to the audio signal of the computer.
For example, in video conferences, how loud you can hear yourself and others.
The lower controller controls the volume of connected headphones.
The robust microphone is ideal for video conferences, but the possibilities are by no means exhausted.
Anyone looking for a companion for musical attempts or for his podcast can also access it without hesitation.
The relatively high weight, the decent size and thus the lack of mobility are impractical: once the microphone has found a regular place on the desk, you don't want to move it away.
👍 high quality design
👍 integrated pop
filter 👍 built-in volume control
👎 relatively large
👎 impractical for traveling
👎 no sound adjustment possible
Shure MV88 + Video Kit
The small MV88 + from Shure offers even more recording options.
Even unpacking the set is a pleasure: the microphone and holder as well as a special smartphone holder are in a roll bag.
There are also two cables, one with a Lightning connector and another with a USB-C connector.
A mini tripod is also included.
This shows how versatile the set can be.
The microphone can be used with the smartphone or on the computer and, thanks to the accessories, can be set up as required.
Icon: enlarge Photo: Gerd Blank
Before using it for the first time, I installed the Shure Motif app on my smartphone, which not only records sound, but also adjusts it.
For example, you can specify the characteristics with which the microphone should record.
For example, do you want stereo sound or should the voice be recorded in mono?
Do you want to cover as wide a space as possible or just the area directly in front of the microphone?
The settings made via the app are saved in the MV88 + and are retained until they are changed accordingly.
The microphone hardly takes up any space on the desk, and the tripod can also be used as a handle.
The sound is excellent, the quality is easily enough for podcasts and other high-quality voice recordings.
However, it is an expensive sound treat.
If you just want to improve your tone at conferences, you can certainly get it much cheaper.
But precisely because of the wide range of possible uses, the MV88 + can be a worthwhile investment in the long term.
👍 handy
👍 versatile
👍 outstanding quality
👎 high price