A better webcam? - Githubissues

Dan!

First, I love you. Thanks for being my friend.

Preference disclosure

My preference is for gear the "just works". You might be able to get "this plus that" by implementing a firmware hack or getting the right aftermarket adapter...

I'm not into that.

I also like to find the minimum viable product that does what I need. I don't like throwing money at a problem but I'm happy to spend as much as is required.

So, this is what I see as the "sweet spot" in early 2020.

Best mirrorless camera for streaming video

The Sony ⍺6400 with kit lens is the best bang for buck. This mirrorless camera can do everything a streamer wants out-of-the-box:

Unlimited record time
USB-power during operation
Clean HDMI out
A flip-up display — which is very handy for framing (even if the display goes blank during recording)

More on the ⍺6400 line

The ⍺6000 line is opaque. The ⍺6000, ⍺6300, and ⍺6500 were released in 2016. They were replaced by the ⍺6100, ⍺6400, and ⍺6600 (respectively) in 2019.

Only the 2019 models have all of the features mentioned above (without firmware hacks).

My money is on the ⍺6400 w/kit lens.

The major gains of ⍺6600 are in handheld ergonomics and battery life — which are extraneous for a streaming setup. And — at the price — you're edging into Lumix GH5 territory, which is a fully capable video production camera.

The ⍺6100 w/kit lens may be a good way to save $150. I'd read this article and any of the countless comparison videos on YouTube.

My personal blunders

I use a Canon m50 for video, which I do not recommend.

I got it because I like Canon's color science and I wanted a fully articulating display. But it's a terrible streaming camera. Canon cameras can't be operated on usb power. So I have to remember to charge and change batteries between hour-long session.

Laughably, that fully articulating is inoperable during HDMI-streaming.

There's also no setting to bypass the 30-minute auto-shutoff. I had to download some crappy tethering software to keep the camera operational during streaming.

Live and learn.

Best mic

Last year, I wrote a little tribute to my favorite budget microphone, the Samson Q2U. I know at least 10 people who have purchased the mic since and all have been pleased with it.

At ~$60, nothing else comes close but I have other recommendations at the $200. I'm happy to follow up if that would be in-budget.

Dongles and accessories

I use the Elgato Cam Link 4k to convert the HDMI signal to USB. (It seems to be sold out right now 😬)

I use a short microphone boom rm with this camera to mic-stand adapter to set the camera right behind my monitor.

I use the Elgato Key Light to light myself. There's also a lamp version: Elgato Key Light Air. Before that I used a crappy LED lamp 😅 The Elgato Key Light is great because it has an adjustable color temp and integrates wirelessly with my Mac and Elgato Stream Deck XL

That's everything I can think of.

I hope it all helps!

* Amazon links are affiliate links

chantastic / ama