With a particularly large sensor and image quality in 4K at 60 frames per second, the Elgato Facecam Pro aims to put all other webcams in the shade. But is the camera really as “incredibly good” as the manufacturer promises? We find out in the Elgato Facecam Pro test.
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Technical data
| Model | Facecam Pro |
| Dimensions (without mount) | 116 mm x 38 mm x 79 |
| Weight (without mount) | 240 g |
| Connection port | USB type C |
| Max. Video resolution | 4K/60 frames per second; |
| Supported resolutions | 4K 60/ 30 1080p 60/30 720p 60/30 |
| Lens | 1/1.8 inch Sony Starvis CMOS; f/2.0 Field of view: 90 degrees |
| Software | Elgato Camera Hub |
| Compatibility | Windows 11 or higher; macOS 13.3 or higher |
| Microphones | not available |
| Mounting bracket | 1/4-inch thread |
| price | € 310.90 * |
Elgato Facecam Pro test: Size helps a lot
- comparatively large
- Impeccable workmanship
- Practical monitor mount; no lens cover
Anyone who knows a little about cameras knows that size has a direct influence on image quality. A larger housing creates more space for a larger sensor, which in turn produces a better image and has less image noise to contend with. This can also be applied to webcams.
Accordingly, the Elgato Facecam Pro is comparatively bulky: The professional webcam is 38 mm high, 116 mm wide and 79 mm deep and – without the mount – weighs a whopping 240 grams. This makes it considerably wider than its cheaper 1080p sister, the Elgato Facecam MK.2 (our test), for example, and many times larger than the OBSBOT Tiny 2 (our test) – the best 4K webcam on the market for us to date. The direct comparison screams “David versus Goliath”, although on paper there is not much separating the two cams.
Like the manufacturer’s other webcam models, the Elgato Facecam Pro has a simple black plastic housing. On the front you will find the lens, as well as a status LED on the left, which provides information about the recording.
The lens is positioned behind anti-reflective glass so that reflections should not be a problem. At the same time, the glass should also improve the contrast, tonal value and sharpness of the image. Elgato uses a 1/1.7-inch Sony STARVIS CMOS sensor and an 8-element lens with an aperture of f/2.0 to display the image.
Interestingly, the sensor is even slightly smaller than in the compact OBSBOT Tiny 2 (1.55 inch), which also has a slightly faster aperture of f/1.9. We will take a look at the effects this has on the image and low light performance later.
In addition to the webcam, the Elgato Facecam Pro comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable and a monitor mount with a 1/4-inch thread, onto which the camera is simply screwed and thus securely attached to a monitor. The design of the mount is the same as for the Facecam MK.2. Unfortunately, a pivacy shutter or a cover for the lens is not included. What a pity.
Important to know: A USB 3.0 port is required for the connection, as only this standard is capable of handling a 4K image at 60 fps.
Commissioning and software connection
- Plug and play
- Clear software
- Detailed settings; great LUTs
Once connected via USB-C, the Elgato Facecam Pro is immediately ready for use thanks to plug-and-play connectivity. The webcam works perfectly with Windows 11 and macOS from version 13.3.
You can now use the camera straight away. However, we recommend installing the accompanying software, which goes by the name of Camera Hub. This allows you to fine-tune the webcam image down to the smallest detail.
The pleasantly clear software provides numerous customization options and impresses with its intuitive operation. You can adjust the most important parameters in the “Camera” section.
This includes, for example, the option to zoom into the image, adjust the focus, contrast and saturation or set the exposure and white balance. Of course, the camera also handles automatic settings and adjusts the image as best as possible – but if you want to influence the image yourself, you can do this in detail here.
I really like the fact that the software shows important parameters such as shutter speed, ISO value or white balance in automatic mode. This allows non-experts to use the values as a guide and make optimizations.
In the “Effects” section, on the other hand, you can stylize the image. In addition to mirroring, you can also set AI backgrounds such as a blur effect or various background images. You can also activate LUTs (look-up tables) here and adjust their intensity.
These are essentially preset settings that adjust various image parameters such as color, contrast and much more. Five LUTs are already pre-installed and many more can be downloaded free of charge from the Elgato website. Perfect for creating your very own, individual look.
Picture and sound quality of the Elgato Facecam Pro
- 4K with 60 frames per second
- Large sensor; great autofocus
- Tends to produce image noise quickly
The biggest selling point for the Elgato Facecam Pro is undoubtedly the image quality. To my knowledge, no other webcam on the market offers 4K resolution at 60 frames per second. If you want such a fast frame rate, this is the perfect choice.
Whether for video calls, Twitch or YouTube: The built-in 1/1.8-inch Starvis CMOS sensor from Sony ensures that you always get the best possible image quality. Recordings are razor-sharp, while movements are displayed more smoothly than with the 4K/30 competition.
The camera produces razor-sharp images of objects and people in focus, while the open aperture of f/2.0 ensures a pleasant and calm bokeh (i.e. blur effect) in the background. What I particularly like is the accurate and realistic color reproduction of the image.
Because without presets or LUTs, you get exactly the image that corresponds to reality. And if you prefer richer colors or higher contrasts, you can easily adjust them.
The Facecam Pro also deserves great praise for its fast and precise autofocus, which also makes the camera very suitable for product videos. Compared to other cameras, however, the focus is audible in quiet environments, but so quiet that it does not interfere with video recordings.
Another special feature of the large sensor is the ability to zoom in, pan and tilt the image without losing detail. The image can be zoomed in by up to 400 percent – and up to four presets can be created for different zoom levels.
Unfortunately, the image quality in difficult lighting conditions is somewhat disappointing. While a slight image noise is already visible in the background in daylight, this increases noticeably when the lighting is reduced.
I also have to admit that I like the image quality of the OBSBOT Tiny 2, which is in the same price range, better in a direct comparison. In my opinion, the image of the Tiny 2 provides better contrast and an autofocus that focuses on the face even better.
However, the Elgato Facecam Pro scores points with its higher frame rate and noticeably better effects – especially when it comes to background blur. The Facecam Pro’s autofocus also works much faster when you hold objects in the camera or move around.
Incidentally, we can quickly tick off the sound quality section, as the Facecam Pro does not have built-in microphones. You are therefore always reliant on external microphones.
Elgato Facecam Pro Review: Conclusion
With the Elgato Facecam Pro, the manufacturer delivers a powerful webcam that is undoubtedly aimed at professionals in terms of features and price. With a 4K resolution including 60 fps, the camera is quite unique on the broad webcam market. The webcam captures smooth movements excellently and impresses with its precise and extremely fast autofocus.
Owners of NVIDIA graphics cards in particular will also be delighted with the advanced studio effects, which can be used to blur or completely replace backgrounds, for example.
The image quality of the Facecam Pro is also excellent, especially as the large sensor also allows digital zooming without loss of detail. In terms of low-light performance, however, it does not come out on top and the camera also has to admit defeat to the newer competition in terms of noise behavior. An OBSBOT Tiny 2, for example, comes with HDR and, in my opinion, delivers the better, sharper image and the more harmonious contrasts.
On the other hand, I find the option of adjusting the image quickly and easily with LUTs and then making additional fine adjustments in the software to be very good.
- 4K/60 resolution
- Excellent image quality
- Fast autofocus
- Comprehensive software
- Average low-light performance
- Recognizable image noise
- No microphone
Elgato Facecam Pro
Workmanship
Features
Picture quality
Software
Value For Money
92/100
Impressive webcam that is unique with a 4K image including 60 fps. The autofocus works quickly and reliably, and the intuitive software offers numerous customization options. However, low-light performance and noise behavior are not entirely convincing.
