The Logitech StreamCam is Logitech’s first foray into making a webcam specifically focused on the needs of streamers. It’s an overall solid webcam with some fantastic features, which are unfortunately limited through the use of the Logitech Capture software, which you can’t use to stream directly. The cam itself is well made and works well with a decent microphone built-in.
Specifications
- Price: $169.99
- Height x Width x Depth: 2.59 in x 2.28 in x 1.89 in
- Weight: 5.28 oz
- Cable Length: 5 ft USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C
- Max video Resolution: 1080p/60 fps in MJPEG
- Lens: Premium full HD glass lens, f/2.0 – focal length 3.7mm
- Dual omnidirectional mic with noise reduction filter
- Stereo or dual-mono channel
- White LED indicator light
- Comes with: Monitor mount, tripod mount, and 3-month premium XSplit license
- Comes in Black or White
The Logitech StreamCam came in a cute little package with everything all smartly fitted in neatly and was very easy to remove from the packaging. The set-up was incredibly quick and easy, with the one exception of I did need to use a USB – USB C adapter to use it with my computer. The only issue I ran into with the set-up of the cam was in trying to download the Logitech Capture software. The “download software” button just took me to a page advertising their different products. I was finally able to find the real download button in the support section of the website.
I have to do a special call-out for the monitor mount, which comes with the StreamCam. It’s both easy to use and versatile. My primary monitor is curved, and with my 920 webcam getting it balanced in one spot can be a bit of a challenge, especially when I add in the fact I have a sit/stand desk, so that adds a bit more variability to my set-up. There is a great range of settings available with the cam still being securely attached to my monitor than I have had with previous cams, and I greatly appreciate that.
I also had no issue streaming with the StreamCam through OBS or recording videos with it. The quality was excellent, no matter how I used it. The only bump I ran into was while recording was messing around with turning the stabilization on and off to see how much of a difference it seemed to make (which honestly was not much of a difference). When I shut the stabilization back off, the video froze for a second, and when I went back and watched the recorded video, the audio had desynchronized for the rest of what I had recorded. While it might be feasible for this to happen while recording and changing other settings, I only experienced this by turning the stabilization on and off.
I also tested out the microphone on this cam, which honestly, is the best microphone I’ve had on a webcam. Of course, it does sound a bit like you are talking from the opposite end of a hallway. There’s no way around that since the mic isn’t right next to me the way my external mic is. If you have a set-up where you can put the cam closer to you, then it’d work brilliantly. Nonetheless, the quality is excellent and clear, so it is a good option if you don’t have any other mic.
The unfortunate thing about the StreamCam is a lot of the features which set it apart from other cams are only available if you are using the Logitech Capture software. This includes something as simple as having a widescreen capture versus the default square. At first, I didn’t think this would be a big deal because I figured I could stream from the capture software itself, except there is no way to do that. What I had to do instead was run the software and use it as a source for OBS. Sadly running both OBS, the Logitech Capture software, and World of Warcraft at the same time was more than my GTX 1080 video card could handle. This makes the software not a very viable solution.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I’m delighted with the StreamCam, even if I can’t utilize some of its features. The price is a bit on the higher side, so probably not an excellent option for anyone just starting, although the low light compensation would probably be most useful for streamers who don’t have fancy set-ups and special lighting. Anyone who can run both the software and their streaming platform of choice while also running their game would be delighted with this cam.
The product described in this review was provided by the manufacturer for evaluation purposes.
