Logitech StreamCam
A versatile webcam for social media
The Capture app allows you to combine video from two sources
£139 FROM Logitech, logitech.com FEATURES 1920x1080 resolution, 24-60fps, 1.5m USB-C cable, mounting bracket for screen or tripod, dual-microphones
The StreamCam has been specifically produced with social media videographers in mind. As such, it will appeal to vloggers, lifestyle ‘influencers’, and professional content creators who want to create and share videos, reviews and tutorials on YouTube, Instagram and other social media sites.
The StreamCam provides standard HD (1920x1080) resolution. There are webcams with higher resolution, but the StreamCam will be fine for streaming on social media websites – and its image quality is way better than the 1280x720 resolution of a MacBook’s FaceTime camera. The use of a high-speed USB-C cable to connect the StreamCam to your Mac also means that it can record super-smooth videos at up to 60fps, and the camera has two built-in microphones for high-quality audio recording.
Double take
The mounting bracket included with the StreamCam allows you to clip it onto the top of your screen and easily adjust the camera angle, and you can switch the camera between landscape and portrait mode. The mounting bracket can also be used to connect the camera to a proper tripod if you want to go for a really professional studio set-up.
The USB-C interface allows Macs that have USB-C to automatically recognise the camera and use it with standard Mac apps such as Apple’s own QuickTime Player. However, the real strength of the StreamCam lies in Logitech’s Capture app. The Mac version of Capture is currently still in its beta version, but proved perfectly stable during our tests for this review –although it does need a Mac with Mojave (10.14) or later in order to run.
As well as standard HD video, the Capture app lets you record at 1280x720 and 640x360 resolution, and you can adjust the recording speed from 24-60 frames per second. The key feature of the Capture app, though, is that it allows you to combine video from two sources. You could use two StreamCams to record yourself at different angles, or perhaps use one camera for close-up shots of a product that you’re demonstrating.
The app also allows you to record video directly from the screen of your Mac itself – either recording the full Mac desktop, or just the window of a specific application that you want to demonstrate, such as iMovie or Final Cut. You can then combine your screen recordings with video from the StreamCam, which is ideal for product demos and tutorials.
The app also provides several automatic presets so that you can easily combine two video sources for split-screen and picture-inpicture effects. There are some simple tools for adding text captions, as well as a small selection of filters and effects. You can also download the Capture app for free and try it out with your own equipment before buying the StreamCam.
There may be cheaper webcams available, but the versatility of the StreamCam makes it a great option for budding vloggers, as well as professional users who need to create videos for promoting their work on social media.