If you’re a content creator, there are certain things you have to nail. Production quality is one of the highest on the list, and if you’re looking for an easy way to have your very own multi-cam setup, the Mevo Core is for you. The Mevo Core is a wireless, stream-ready camera that can connect to all of the major streaming services without ever connecting to a PC and can even use your phone’s hotspot. It also uses an interchangeable lens system for top-tier image quality. In addition, it also offers app support that allows you to craft a complete stream, including on-screen graphics, image controls, and scene changes all from your smartphone. And if you’re at a PC, it also doubles as a webcam.
This is the kind of specialized camera system that could help just about anybody but is targeted at a very specific type of creator. At $1,000 for the body, it’s a pricey bit of kit but also offers the kind of all-in-one portability that will be absolutely perfect for certain types of creators.
Specifications
Current Price: $999 (Amazon)
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Logitech Mevo Core - Design and Highlights
The Logitech Mevo Core is a different kind of streamcam. While Razer and Elgato have some great options for webcams, they tether you to the computer with a USB cable, which makes for a cumbersome setup if you plan to record more than just the area around your desk. The Mevo Core is completely wireless, supports multi-cam, can stream directly from the units, record up to six hours on board, and supports interchangeable lenses.
It’s Logitech’s first camera that supports interchangeable lenses, which is a big deal, but Logitech has quietly been offering one of the best solutions for portable streaming since 2020. The original Mevo Start began the product line and came as a portable webcam streaming kit, complete with production software to add on-screen graphics, adjust image quality, zoom, change scenes, and more. It was quite a popular choice because of how easy it made streaming on the go.
The Mevo Core pushes things to the next level. With this release, it has officially transitioned into a mirrorless camera. Inside its cube-shaped body lies a Micro Four-Thirds sensor, similar to that you’ll find in the Black Magic Cinema Pocket 4K of Panasibnuc Lumix GH5. It uses a traditional MFT mount, so any lens made for that system is compatible with it, including with electronic focus and zoom controls.
Going for an MFT sensor may seem a bit odd given that the industry seems to be moving away from that format, but for streaming, it actually makes a good deal of sense. The MFT system is very mature and there are lots of lenses available. Due to their size and, for many, their age, you can often find great deals on them. While the smaller sensor will certainly struggle more in very low light settings than APS-C or full-frame sensors, it performs far better than a webcam and has a wide ISO range of 100 - 25,600.
While we’re talking specs, the Core is competitive with most mirrorless cameras and DSLRs around the same price. It offers 4K30 recording and 1080p60 streaming with its 8.3-megapixel sensor. You can record for up to 6 hours using its onboard storage or add your own microSD. There are three built-in MEMS microphones with spatial processing capabilities that can record AAC up to 16-bit, 48kHz; though, they sound similar to other built-in microphones on handheld cameras, so having your own is advisable for professional quality captures.
The unit itself is very simple. It’s a literal cube and lacks any kind of viewfinder or controls. This is because everything is handled within Mevo’s multicam app. Upon setup, you’ll connect to the camera as it projects its own WiFi network. From there, you add your own network details, it will switch, and you can use your smartphone or tablet for monitoring, adjusting all of the usual settings (focus, exposure, white balance, etc.)
The Core can be used used wired or wirelessly with PCs too. Using the Mevo Webcam app, you can feed one or more cameras into OBS once it’s connected to the network. It’s very intuitive. Likewise, if you can connect over USB Type-C feed its output to your system (or additional hardware) through its HDMI port.
If you want the full production capabilities of the Mevo system and design your production on a tablet, you’ll need to stick with the Multicam app on iOS or Android. This app also limits wireless connectivity with your PC, but since you can add graphics, overlays, and visual effects with OBS or other PC apps, this may not be a major limitation. If you want to wirelessly connect to your PC, or import your game or screen capture from the PC using NDI (Network Device Interface, essentially a wireless source from elsewhere on your network), you’ll need to pay for a monthly subscription to Mevo Pro at $19.99 a month.
These are advanced features that you may not need but also allow you to create a production console from a simple tablet. For streamers, simply being able to import a wireless multicam setup will be a major upgrade that won’t require you to buy a separate video mixed. If you record or stream away from the PC, like musicians, cooks, and houses of worship often do, these make for an easy, all-in-one solution that you can setup and broadcast through with the least fuss.
Logitech Mevo Core - Performance and Use Impressions
There’s a lot to the Mevo Core, more than I really understood before getting my hands on them and testing them for myself. I also have to admit that my first impression is that they were incredibly expensive, but when you consider what they do and how simply beneficial that can be for certain types of creators, that price comes into focus. What you’re buying into isn’t just a camera or two, it’s a full-on production suite.
And believe me, as someone who has researched and helped to set up this exact kind of system for a church right after the start of COVID, these things get expensive quickly. Once you buy a camera and lens, which will likely be $500 - $1,000 for the pair, and start looking at streamlined production software, you’re talking another $300 to $400. This is the suite we used and the Mevo Multicam app could have replaced it for our Sunday services at no additional cost.
With that in mind, the cameras are absolutely key. Using a MFT sensor, I was able to pair it with my existing Olympus, Panasonic, and Sigma lenses from my GH5. Not having on-board controls or a monitor felt foreign but the app is deep and laid out in an easy-to-interpret way. You don’t need to be an expert to use this app and achieve professional results.
You do need some camera know-how to be able to dial in the picture quality. If you’re coming from even one of the best webcams, you’ll notice an immediate increase in image quality just using default settings. As advanced as they’ve become, they still can’t compete with a solid mirrorless camera like this, especially with a quality piece of glass attached to the front. But, being able to adjust ISO, focus, shutter speed, and white balance will give you an edge. None of these are very difficult to wrap your head around, but Logitech provides presets and Auto settings to help you get started until you find your feet.
Getting up and running with a stream isn’t difficult. You’ll be limited to one platform unless you pony up for Mevo Pro, but the system functions similarly to other streaming apps like OBS. You’ll need to enter the proper credentials (after connecting to the WiFi network, of course) and then you’re off to the races.
Using the multicam app, you can create a full production with graphics, transitions, zooms, focus changes, and more. There is a slight learning curve but the app makes it overall easy and intuitive.
It also can't be overstated how multiple angles enhances production quality. With the Core's fantastic image, you can set beautiful shots, rich with bokeh, and seamlessly switch between them — assuming you buy two or more. Or, if you pay for Mevo Pro, you can add third party cameras as NDI sources as well.
Logitech Mevo Core - Should You Buy It?
It's a great package but it won't make sense for every user. If all you're doing is streaming gameplay with a facecam in the corner, a nice webcam or point-and-shoot camera with USB video-out will do the trick. You can also pick up an older camera and lens for about the same or less, depending on which model you choose. Heck, you could get two Sony RX100 MKV's and create your own multicam set up and handle everything through OBS.
Instead, this is a system you invest in for its versatility. No wires, tablet control, streaming direct from camera. It allows you to take the show on the road and record anywhere, stream anywhere you have internet access. It also simplifies the multicam scenario, even for game streamers, because you'll no longer have to worry about having a video mixer in the chain or multiple capture cards.
So should you buy it? That depends entirely on what kind of creator you are or hope to be. For some people, a traditional mirrorless camera will be the better option. For others, they’ll find the Mevo Core well worth paying for with its exceptional portability, ease of use, and all-in-one design. If you do pick it up, you’ll be surprised at just how capable and versatile it truly is.
The product described in this article was provided by the manufacturer for evaluation purposes. Some articles may contain affiliate links and purchases made through this will result in a small commission for the site. Commissions are not directed to the author or related to compensation in any way.
