Elgato Facecam Pro Quick Look – Buttery Smooth 4K Webcam Goodness

A top spec webcam, it might be the incredible choice for your setup

Updated: Oct 19, 2023 10:45 am

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Elgato Facecam Pro Quick Look – Buttery Smooth 4K Webcam Goodness

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Table of Contents

Elgato, the streaming-oriented brand, is expanding evermore, and now seems to be redefining the definition of what we thought a simple basic webcam could do. From what seemed to once qualify as a pixelated laggy mess, the Facecam Pro here reinvigorates the dedicated desktop webcam.

Elgato Facecam Pro

Sensor

Sony Starvis CMOS

Supported resolutions

2160p60, 2160p30, 1080p60, 1080p30, 720p60, 720p30

Dimensions

W 116 x H 38 x D 79 mm | 4.6 x 1.5 x 3.1 in (without mount)

Weight

240 g | 0.53 lb (without mount)

How We Review

The Elgato Facecam Pro is certainly an incredible webcam. With a 4K 60FPS sensor it rises up above the rest of the competition fulfilling a spot right between webcams and standalone DSLRs. With a lot of software control, it’s a high-quality addition to a streamer’s lineup that integrates well with any other Elgato products.

Pros

Incredible high-quality and smooth video output
Software features allow for a ton of adjustments
Integrates well into the Elgato ecosystem

Cons

Only come with a USB-C to USB-C connector
No physical shutter in front of the lens like on the original Facecam

In the past, traditionally, other alternatives have been used, when it comes to setting up the ultimate streaming desktop. For video, most streamers would opt to install a DSLR, or a more professional-oriented camera to provide good-quality live images for their stream. But now the Facecam Pro might just make that a bit easier.

Elgato claims that the Facecam Pro is the first 4K 60 FPS webcam out there that can provide a good all-in-one solution for plug-and-play. But the big question is whether it’s also worth the price Elgato asks for it. It’s a sleek-looking camera even with its bulky size (coming in at 116 by 33 by 79mm), but that size is warranted as it does have quite the sensor to accommodate and cool down to keep up the 4K 60fps quality.

First impressions

Tech Specs

Sensor

Sony Starvis CMOS

Supported resolutions

2160p60, 2160p30, 1080p60, 1080p30, 720p60, 720p30

Dimensions

W 116 x H 38 x D 79 mm | 4.6 x 1.5 x 3.1 in (without mount)

Weight

240 g | 0.53 lb (without mount)

Focus range

10 cm / 4 in – ∞

Aperature

f/2.0

Field of view

90°

Optics

Elgato Premium Autofocus Lens

Focal length

21 mm (*full-frame equivalent)

Connection

USB Type C

The packaging of the Facecam Pro is minimal. Reducing the number of plastics involved, it only has a few ties holding the USB cable together. Otherwise, the box is filled with recyclable paper and cardboard, which doesn’t give you a whole lot of waste to deal with, as the webcam just comes protected in a soft plastic-free wrap as well.

On first look, the thing that takes you by surprise is the size of the Facecam Pro. It’s much bigger than we’re used to for these types of things. Where you would previously have an inbuilt option in your screen or a small rectangle on top of your monitor, you now have quite the sizeable brick. Although with a ¼” thread you do get a lot of potential to place it elsewhere and get it in the ideal position.

Still, the Facecam Pro has a rather solid yet sleek design, with only a seam for the back cooling vents showing any kind of building marks. The back protrusion extends quite far from the electronics to house the cooling, which does then mean the USB-C port is embedded quite deep in from the back of the unit.

It’s a sleek-looking camera even with its bulky size (coming in at 116 by 33 by 79mm), but that size is warranted as it does have quite the sensor to accommodate and cool down to keep up the 4K 60fps quality.

That leads us to one of the drawbacks of the webcam, in that it only comes with a USB-C to C cable. Which is, by all means, a good connector, but not universal on PCs yet. Including our Aorus X570 test board. The only saving grace we have is that the Corsair 4000D features a USB C port on the front panel which fortunately the motherboard supports. This could all be avoided with a simple USB-C to A adapter being included in the box to save the hassle of not having a connector available when you get your “plug and play” Facecam Pro.

The Facecam Pro also lacks any privacy cover in front of its lens. It’s a feature that has been rising in popularity for many cameras recently, particularly with the rise of security invasions. This is especially important when you become a more well-known creator. Even though you can unplug it, it’s a bit more annoying to have to manage the cable somewhere instead of just having access to a simple shutter.

Otherwise, it’s a simple plug-and-play device, although to take advantage of all the features and controls, you do need the separate Elgato Camera Hub app. In fairness, it does allow for a ton of adjustments to be made to your webcam, be it the contrast, white balance, or any background you want to add without a green screen. It also allows you to preview any changes you make, and see that impressive 4K60 image.

Final thoughts

Overall, the Elgato Facecam Pro is a great webcam for anyone who wants a solid-quality image for their stream. The only caveat is, your internet connection might not be able to keep up with the large bandwidth required to upload a raw 4K stream of your face. Either way, it certainly is a great addition to anyone’s lineup, although the price might be a drawback if you don’t need such a high-quality option.

If you’re only after a video calling device something much lower-end would be a better fit, even Elgato’s first entry, the standard Facecam. But if you are a streamer wanting a webcam for an overlay it could be a good alternative to a DSLR, particularly with the software support. As it also works well in OBS and the Elgato ecosystem, both of which many creators will already be using.

With such featureful software and high-quality design, it does make it a very appealing webcam, and it certainly stands out from the rest of the options. Although it might not be for everyone it has filled a market known for pixelation and blur and is a good addition to any streaming setup.