What is the best camera for a webcam?

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Closed 2 years ago.

I am interested in getting a used DSLR to use as a webcam for my Mac (recently watched this YouTube video and like the idea!)

I am not going to buy a new/expensive camera just for this, so I thought I would ask what makes for a suitable used DSLR that might be available in the $200–$300 range?

EDIT: Updated target price range based on some of the answers and comments.

Its image quality is excellent right out of the box—no adjustments necessary—and it has features that are usually found only in more expensive models, including subject tracking.

But if you’re making do with an older laptop, working from a desktop computer, or simply looking for more advanced features than your built-in webcam provides, the Logitech Brio 505 is your best option.

If you own—or plan to buy—a top-of-the-line laptop, you probably don’t need a separate webcam. The cameras built into new machines such as recent MacBook Pro models are more than good enough for everyday Zoom calls.

With its smart features, 4K resolution, and reliable exposure and white balance, this webcam can provide a flattering image in just about any situation. But it costs nearly twice as much as our top pick.

If you need a webcam but don’t want to spend a lot of money, this model is a great option. It's small and solidly built, and it delivered respectable footage without any fuss.

This webcam offers subject tracking and other features that are typically found only in more expensive models. The image quality is excellent, as is the included software.

The Logitech Brio 505 captures sharp 1080p video with accurate automatic white balance and speedy autofocus. It’s easy to set up and use, and it includes several sophisticated features, such as subject tracking and a Show Mode (for presenting items to the camera), that are usually reserved for webcams twice the price.

Budget pick

Anker PowerConf C200 2K

The best cheap HD webcam

If you need a webcam but don’t want to spend a lot of money, this model is a great option. It's small and solidly built, and it delivered respectable footage without any fuss.

Buying Options

$60

Amazon

If you need a less-expensive option, we recommend the Anker PowerConf C200 2K. Its image quality doesn’t match that of the Brio 505—its auto exposure and white balance aren’t as accurate, and it doesn’t autofocus quite as quickly—but it is just as easy to set up and even provides 2K resolution, which produces slightly sharper results than the Brio 505’s 1080p resolution. Overall, it offered the best image quality of any webcam we tested under $70.

Upgrade pick

Insta360 Link

The most feature-packed webcam

With its smart features, 4K resolution, and reliable exposure and white balance, this webcam can provide a flattering image in just about any situation. But it costs nearly twice as much as our top pick.

Buying Options

$250

Amazon

The Insta360 Link represents a clear step up from our top pick, as it offered automatic white balance and exposure that were rock solid right out of the box. Its subject tracking is smooth, and that feature and others are easy to turn on and off thanks to hand-gesture commands that work even when the desktop software isn’t open, as the camera can still recognize hand gestures in Zoom and other video-conferencing apps.

In our testing, the Link beat the competition in overall picture quality, and it also provided the smoothest background blur in Zoom. But at a typical price of $300, it’s probably overkill if you don’t plan to use your webcam all the time.