For students and professional workers who work from home, a webcam is more important than ever. Although most phones include cameras and can be useful in an emergency, they are cumbersome to use and have a short battery life.
Laptops frequently include webcams. Laptop webcams, on the other hand, come with their own set of limitations, making them unsuitable for long-distance work or remote teaching sessions. Furthermore, laptop manufacturers will not prioritize the quality of built-in webcam components in order to keep their machines reasonably priced. Have a look at some of the factors to consider when buying a webcam.
1. Resolution
Resolution, like that of a monitor or television, refers to the clarity of a digital image or video. The three most common webcam resolutions, from lowest to highest, are measured in pixel width by pixel height:
- 1280 x 720 pixels/720p (HD Ready)
- 1920 x 1080 pixels/1080p (Full HD)
- 3840 x 2160 pixel/4K (UHD)
The aspect ratio of most webcams is 16:9, which is known as rectangle or widescreen. Some cameras include an alternative 4:3 aspect ratio, which is more square-like and was widespread in computers and televisions prior to 2009.
2. Frame Rate (FR)
The smoothness of the video output is determined by the frame rate. The number of images taken by your webcam in one second is known as frame rate, or frames per second (fps). Higher frame rates (fps) enable for smoother shooting and streaming while eliminating choppiness.
Almost all modern cameras can capture at least 30 frames per second, which is still considered good quality and suitable in any setting, and some can record at 120 frames per second. As the frame rate is increased, higher resolutions become unavailable. A common webcam can capture 60 frames per second in 720p and only 30 frames per second in 1080p.
3. Field of View (FOV)
A gadget's field of view (FOV) is the amount of space it can capture. The field of view is generally measured in degrees and ranges from 60 to 90 degrees horizontally, vertically, and diagonally. Most webcam spec sheets include the diagonal angle.
The width of the region photographed rises as the number increases: the higher the FOV, the larger the area seen on the camera. Another advantage of using an external webcam is the possibility to mount it and broaden the scope of what it can record.
4. An In-built Microphone
The webcam microphone is an often-overlooked feature. With external microphones, headphones, webcams, and other devices, built-in webcam microphones can reduce the need for bulky headsets or desk clutter. Some models include two microphones, allowing you to communicate with someone in a more natural, binaural manner.
Because webcam microphones are generally built to record the sounds of the entire room as well as background noise, they may not be the greatest choice if you live in a noisy setting or work in the same room as someone else. Furthermore, the quality of a built-in webcam microphone will never match that of an external USB microphone or headset.
5. Autofocus
Autofocus webcams perform exactly what its name implies: they automatically focus on the person or subject in the frame, whether stationary or moving. This is also a useful tool for shooting close-ups if you're having a good hair day or capturing activity if you're moving about.
Autofocus with higher quality can cope better with many light sources or locations with crowded backgrounds. Autofocus is available on most current webcams, albeit some are better or faster than others. You can turn focusing on and off with some webcams.
