Elgato Facecam Pro vs Opal C1

Elgato Facecam Pro

The Elgato Facecam Pro is a premium webcam that offers 4K at 60fps video recording, making it ideal for content creators. It has a large sensor and impressive performance in terms of dynamic range, noise handling, and auto-focusing. The webcam is plug-and-play with USB-C connectivity and comes with Elgato's Camera Hub for advanced settings control. However, it is quite expensive and may not be suitable for the average user.

Elgato Facecam Pro Review: A Streamer's 4K Dream

The Elgato Facecam Pro is a top choice for streamers and screen recorders, offering 4K 60fps and flexible camera settings. It is closely integrated with Elgato's streaming accessories and provides better quality and more features than cheaper webcams. However, it is expensive and has some autofocus and autoexposure issues. The camera hub software offers solid controls, but may be overwhelming for those who prefer automatic settings. Overall, the Facecam Pro has good image quality and background masking, but could benefit from firmware and software updates.

Elgato Facecam Pro Review: 4K/60fps

The Elgato Facecam Pro is a 4K/60fps webcam designed for professional streamers. It has a large Sony STARVIS CMOS sensor, a wide 90-degree field of view, and comes with a detachable monitor mount. The webcam performs well in well-lit scenarios but struggles in low-light situations. It comes with Elgato's Camera Hub software, which offers detailed control over exposure, white balance, and framing. The Facecam Pro is part of the Elgato streaming ecosystem and works with other Elgato streaming devices. However, it is not recommended for regular webcam users.

A $300 DSLR-Like Webcam – The Sweet Setup

The Opal C1 is a 4k webcam that offers DSLR-like quality at a fraction of the price. It has well-built hardware, including a 7.8mm 4k Sony sensor and a ƒ1.8, six-element, glass lens. The camera also features MicMesh™, an array of beamforming microphones for clear audio. The video quality is impressive, with better color and depth of field than other webcams. The software allows for image customization, including zoom, background blur, and filters. While it can't fully replace a DSLR, it comes close and offers convenience. The Opal C1 is recommended for those looking for high-quality webcam video without the complexity or cost of a DSLR setup.

Opal C1 Webcam Review: A Smartphone Style Camera For Your Computer

The Opal C1 webcam is equipped with the Intel Myriad X processor, allowing it to enhance video quality using computational photography techniques. It has a sleek design with a magnetic lens cover and a MicMesh array of microphones. The camera performs well in ideal lighting conditions but struggles in low light and overexposed situations. The software suite offers features like bokeh, touch-up, and face lock, but it is only compatible with Mac and requires a subscription. The Opal C1 is a niche product mainly targeted at Mac users and may not be worth the high price for casual users or video professionals.

The Opal C1 Webcam - Near DSLR quality, at a fraction of the price

The Opal C1 Webcam offers near DSLR quality at a fraction of the price. It has a sleek design and comes with a high-quality mount. The camera has a minimalist aesthetic and is made with off-the-shelf products. It has a 4k Sony Sensor, fast lens, and three microphones for noise cancellation. The camera's software is impressive and includes features like bokeh, touch-up, and gesture controls. It is currently only available for Mac users. The camera performs well in low light and has better image quality compared to Logitech and Fuji cameras. The audio quality is also good. The camera is priced at $300 and comes with additional features for a monthly fee.

Opal’s C1 offers DSLR-rivaling video quality in a small form factor

Opal's C1 webcam offers DSLR-like video quality in a compact design. It has a sleek and attractive design with a matte finish. The C1 features a Sony IMX378 sensor capable of up to 4K resolution at 30 frames per second. It comes with an Intel Myriad X chip that enhances its performance and offers features like automatic settings, customizable settings, and simulated background blur. The C1 also has potential future features like gesture recognition and machine learning-based enhancements. However, the C1's price of $299.99 may be a deterrent for some buyers.

My Experience With the Opal C1 Webcam

The Opal C1 webcam has a great physical design but lacks in software stability. The camera packaging is well-designed and the device itself has a solid feel. However, the software is still in beta after months of use and updates are slow. The camera is slow to start and the image quality is not as good as expected. It can become hot during prolonged use. Recording videos is possible but the location cannot be set. There are issues with compatibility with Screenflow and audio sync. The camera sometimes needs to be unplugged and plugged back in to work. Overall, the Opal C1 webcam is not recommended due to its unfinished software and the availability of better alternatives like using an iPhone as a webcam.