Up your webcam game and make your live streams prettier! The new Elgato Facecam MK.2 is HDR-capable, among other new features. High-dynamic range (HDR) allows for extremely detailed and brightly lit images—perfect for streaming from home.
Elgato Facecam MK.2 offers HDR and PTZ
While it does seem that we’re a bit past the intensely live-streamed times of a pandemic of yesteryear, streaming from home is still widespread. If you’re an artist, streaming concerts, Q&A sessions with fans, or production sessions can be a great way to create content—which is what many independent artists may want more of for their social media profiles.
If you’re into streaming, you might just want the best image quality. With the Elgato Facecam MK.2, you’re one step closer. Version one of the Facecam brought full HD (1080p) quality at a smooth 60 frames per second with a field-of-view of 82 degrees. In addition, the Sony STARVIS CMOS image sensor allowed for an almost DSLR-like quality.
With Mk.2, all of this remains, but you get more. Elgato has slightly increased the field-of-view to 84 degrees. However, the main new feature is HDR (high dynamic range), which is much more common in DSLRs. If you have ever worked with images or videos in HDR, you’ll remember the extreme contrasts and the almost cartoon-like brightness of everything. While this might not look natural, HDR is perfect for leveling overly bright or dark images.
PTZ through Elgato’s software
Furthermore, a feature formerly only available for the Facecam Pro now comes to the Elgato Facecam Mk.2: Pan—Tilt—Zoom. Since the webcam is stationary, PTZ does not magically enable it to wander around. However, through a cleverly designed software companion called “Camera Hub,” you can virtually move through the live image. Additionally, the software allows for various color correction options and many other settings.
Compared to its predecessor, Facecam Mk.2 also appears to be less bulky. What hasn’t changed is the full HD (1080p) image quality, the 60 frames per second rate, and the mounting system. You can still decide whether to use the fully uncompressed or compressed image. Elgato has also included a nifty shutter, you can slide in front of the lens for privacy reasons.
What does the Elgato Facecam Mk.2 cost?
Elgato Facecam MK.2 is available to order at Thomann* for 135.00 USD, 130.00 GPB, or 149.00 Euros respectively.
More on Elgato and the new webcam
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Image Sources:
- Looking great through a ring light!: Elgato
- Uncompressed image quality for the Elgato Facecam Mk.2: Elgato
- Elgato Facecam Mk.2: Elgato
