We test this Windows & MacOS compatible HD webcam from Elgato’s Neo range Updated: Aug 29, 2024 10:18 pm WePC is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices subject to change. Learn more Table of Contents Table of Contents The Elgato Facecam Neo is the webcam element within the Neo range: five different products designed as budget-friendly, easy to use, entry-level devices for streamers or just those looking for an affordable online productivity setup. The Facecam Neo promises to be of significantly better quality than the bargain basement webcam someone might pick up for videoconferencing in their job say, but at a price point that’s still reasonable. Let’s see if the reality matches up. Specifications Sensor: CMOS sensor 1/2.9″ Supported resolutions: 1080p60, 1080p30, 720p60, 720p30, 540p60, 540p30 Mounting point: 1/4″ thread Dimensions: 88 x 32 x 40 mm | 3.5 x 1.3 x 1.6 in. (without mount) Weight: 80 g | 0.18 lb (without mount) Focus range: 30 cm / 12 in – ∞ Aperature: f/2.0 Field of view: 77° Optics: Elgato AF Lens (auto focus) Focal length: 26 mm (full-frame equivalent) Connection: USB Type C Show more What We Think The Elgato Facecam Neo is the best affordable webcam on the market, with an image quality more in line with what you’d find in more expensive models, autofocus (even if it’s a bit slow), and a feature-rich, easy to navigate software. That being said, if you just want to plug it in and use it without tinkering in the software you can do this too. The HDR mode isn’t the best (and is limited to 30FPS) but given the price this is to be expected. Pros Great image quality for the price Autofocus Easy to use, feature-rich software Plug & play but plenty of benefits from tweaking 1/4″ thread mount compatibility Transparent monitor mount section keeps screen visible Cons Autofocus is slow HDR mode only 30FPS & doesn’t look the best Pricing Currently the Elgato Facecam Neo has an MSRP of $99.99. This contrasts to the (also 1080, 60FPS) Elgato Facecam Mk 2. which sells for around $149.99. As we’ll discuss, the Facecam Neo is actually superior to the older Mk.2 in more ways than it isn’t, including having autofocus, although the MK.2 does have a lens with wider field of view: 84° specifically. Design & Features The Facecam Neo is a full HD (1920 x 1080) camera that shoots up to 60 Frames Per Second i.e. 1080p60. You can also record in 1080p30, 720p60, 720p30, 540p60, 540p30. It has a 1/2.9” CMOS sensor, a F/2.0 aperture, and shoots in NV12 MJPG MP4, the FOV is 77°. Like the rest of the Neo range, the webcam comes in environmentally friendly packaging, which is nice to see. The overall build is a bit plasticky, which isn’t surprising at this price point, though the included braided cable feels of a good quality. The cable ends in a USB-C and unfortunately there isn’t any USB-C to USB-A adapter included unfortunately (though these are cheap to buy), so if you only have USB-A slots available you’ll need to pick up one of these. There’s a slidable privacy shutter with a handle that runs across the top of the camera. The base of the webcam has a ¼” thread which makes it compatible with a broad range of tripods. There’s a standard monitor mount base attachment that comes with the product, which has a small degree of horizontal adjustment. The overhanging foregrip section of this monitor mount is transparent, so you can still see through to any bit of the screen it might obscure on a particularly thin-bezel monitor or laptop, which is a nice design feature. There is no in-built microphone for this webcam, though given the poor quality of the majority of webcam mics, particularly at this price point, it’s not much of a loss and we’d recommend picking up a separate dedicated mic for cheap, such as the Elgato Wave Neo, or if you’re using a laptop just using the in-built microphone within that. Software & Installation As mentioned, the Facecam Neo is compatible with both Windows and MacOS, and can even be used with iPads. As far as software applications are concerned, it’s compatible with all the major ones, including Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Facetime, Twitch, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram etc. The Neo range is marketed as being plug and play devices with minimal setup, and we found this to be the case: there wasn’t a need to download myriad drivers nor to calibrate the camera, and the ‘Camera Hub’ software was very straightforward and user-friendly. Considering the Facecam Neo is a cheaper device, it’s quite feature rich, more like what you’d typically find in a premium webcam. You can just use the preloaded settings if you like, without even needing to go into the software, but you’ll get more out of it if you do. For many settings the software allows for full manual control (with sliders that allow you to pick from 1-100%) of contrast, saturation, and sharpness under the ‘Picture’ settings, shutter speed and ISO settings (again with sliders) plus some fixed drop-down menu options for metering and dynamic range under the ‘Exposure’ menu, and ‘Processing’ effects such as noise reduction and anti-flicker. There’s also a ‘White Balance’ slider, HDR mode you can turn on or off, manual focus or autofocus settings, plus face tracking. Previous Next Previous Next Performance After putting the Facecam Neo through its paces we were very impressed. The colors, contrast, and depth of field all look great, with the image looking better than that on the more expensive Elgato Facecam Mk 2: the colors certainly popped more and looked warmer, with the Mk 2. looking comparatively washed out. Skin tone (at least on caucasian skin types) looked solid. The HDR mode, which is supposed to ‘dynamically improve how the user looks in either high or low light conditions’, usually ended up producing a flatter, more washed-out image, but it did help in more extreme ambient lighting scenarios, so it achieves its aim in this regard. Ultimately, quality looking HDR isn’t really something you should expect to look great on a cheaper webcam. Motion capture looked great at the full 60FPS, with movement looking smooth and fluid, though it’s important to note that with HDR mode enables this is capped to 30FPS. The autofocus is a bit slow compared to more high-end camera models: first overshooting and then pulling back to focus-in, as was common in older cameras, but at least it has the feature, with the Mk 2 lacking it entirely. Autofocus is a useful utility for streamers, YouTubers, or other users that want to hold something close in front of them to show their viewers, so we’re glad to see it. The 77° FOV is the perfect size for just capturing yourself and your very immediate surroundings, though if you’re wanting to show off more of the room you’re in, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
