Since the Covid-19 pandemic, Zoom has become the most popular video-conference platform. We use it for any moment of our lives – job, education, personal or business meetings. And it does not matter for what purpose we use it; we need to have good sound and a good look. For this purpose, we need to have the best webcam.
In our article, we will give several tips on selecting the best web camera for Zoom, plus the things you should pay attention to. So, let’s start.
What is Zoom?
Zoom is a video-conference platform that allows achieving the highest quality sound and image, which makes it popular among people who attend any meetings or conferences on a regular basis. It can be used for personal or business purposes. Zoom supports HD images (1280x720) and even 4K HD with 60fps, all this without lags and delays, plus has an excellent voice connection.
Firstly, let’s figure out what equipment Zoom requires. This program can be installed on any computer, smartphone, or tablet with an Android or iOs operating system. In its turn, these gadgets should come with such elements as a camera, microphone, and speakers. If you don’t have it, you should get it.
To have the best video and sound experience, we also recommend considering Bluetooth headphones, an inbuilt microphone, a top-quality camera, and external speakers.
What camera to choose?
If you doubt the usage of the external camera for Zoom, do not worry – you can boldly use it. The global market offers a great variety of purpose-built cameras attached to the computer monitor’s top. Besides, instead of a webcam, you can use a photo camera.
Many people wonder whether laptop cameras are better than webcams. Generally, laptop cameras provide pictures of low quality or resolution. In contrast, the webcams have a larger lens, plus they allow to record videos of higher quality. Besides, a significant part of them comes with the inbuilt autofocus, so you can be sure that you always have focus.
Yes, the autofocus is not the most important thing about the webcam, but if you want to have an excellent Zoom connection, you should consider a camera with autofocus.
A significant part of Zoom users opts for a 720p webcam. Is it good enough? Well, they can provide a good-quality video connection. But we advise you to use a 1080p webcam that can guarantee excellent resolution and High Definition performance.
When choosing the best webcam for Zoom, you should pay attention to the lens. The larger it is, the more detailed your image will be. That’s why we advise you to use a camera with optical zoom (up to 12x).
If you want to find out which one of them is better – 2MP or 10MP cameras, then check the whole module at the end of our article that compares these two devices.
You can save money on installing several webcams with different features in order to have a choice in case if there are any problems with video connection via one of them. You shouldn’t worry about stability and quality when using multiple cameras: only one of them must work properly during your Zoom meetings.
Other considerations
If you choose to buy a webcam with multiple lenses, we recommend that you use it in pairs.
If you need to use two cameras for Zoom, it is not a problem. Thanks to the Screen Share section’s improved options, it is possible to use content from the second webcam.
A great feature of Zoom is the fact that it can work both via wifi and Bluetooth. However, many people think about which one is better: using an ethernet cable or using one’s personal network? Let us remind you once again: neither of them should provide any trouble when making calls on Zoom.
If there are no problems while conducting a video conference via wifi connection, then there will be no difference between its speed and sound quality. That’s why if your internet connection is stable enough, then go for the wireless version of Zoom; otherwise – opt for an application with a wired connection.
When it comes to the price, what webcams should we choose? The webcams’ prices vary – starting from 15$ and higher. Before buying, we advise you to think about for what purpose you will use it carefully. If you use it for household purposes, do not buy expensive cameras.
There is one more thing - we strongly recommend not choosing the cheap ones since they’re made of cheap materials that will not provide good-quality Zoom video and sound. We advise you to select the cameras that combine budget-friendly price and great quality.
TOP best webcams for online conferences
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Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920
This webcam is a great option for those who often conduct video conferences via camera. It features 1080p Full HD with 30 frames per second speed, so the image will always be smooth and detailed. The autofocus makes it possible to obtain clear pictures.
The newest version of this model has a two-mic array that allows you to record clear sound with no noise even if there are many people in your room during online meetings. There is also Background replacement technology that allows you to change the background to match the wallpaper on your computer desktop or just remove it altogether.
You can zoom up to 12x without any problems, which might come in handy if you want to see the facial expressions of the person you’re talking to.
This camera is compatible with Windows and Mac and can be connected via USB 2.0 which makes it a great choice for online meetings. It also features the RightSound technology that provides good quality sound, but if your room contains too much noise, the background noise reduction option will surely help you out!
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Logitech HD Webcam C270
If you don’t want to spend too much money on a webcam or you use it for simple household purposes, then this model might suit your needs well since it has a very low price while still providing decent video qualities. However, we advise you not to conduct Zoom conferences using this webcam because it won’t let you see certain details.
If you’re looking for a device that will help you conduct video conferences via different messengers, then this one is perfect. Not only can it be used to participate in Zoom meetings but also Skype, Yahoo Messenger, and Google Hangout. The sound recording resolution of this webcam reaches up to 720p which provides clear sound without any noise even if there are many other people talking during the video conference.
What makes it so popular among users is its ease of use since this camera doesn’t require much configuration or additional software installed on your computer. It features auto-focus and auto-white balance along with the option to remove background noises (noise reduction). This webcam is compatible with Windows 7/8 and Mac OS X. You can connect it via USB 2.0 which is a great benefit considering the price range of the Logitech C270 camera – 25$.
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Logitech Webcam C525
We have got another cheap webcam for you that provides decent quality video and sound recording, but again, do not plan to conduct Zoom meetings with this one since there might be some loss in image quality (just like with any other inexpensive webcams). However, if you’re using it for Skype or Google Hangouts then go ahead!
The sound speed on this model reaches up to 16 kHz. It comes with two mics that provide stereo sound; hence, your interlocutor will hear everything around your room very well. This webcam has got a Snapshot button that allows you to take pictures in 640 x 480 resolution.
The latest version of Logitech C525 comes with RightLight 2 technology which adjusts the light depending on natural light conditions in your room, so you’ll get better quality images when it’s light outside or when there are many artificial lights turned on. Also, if you prefer manual control over the focus and exposure for some reason, this camera will provide such options.
It can be connected via USB and is compatible with Windows and Mac operating systems. The only thing we don’t like about this device is its size – it can occupy two USB slots at once since it’s too wide (86 mm ). However, regarding its price, this webcam will please you with its decent video quality and RightLight feature for around 45$.
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Creative Live! Cam Socialize HD 720p Webcam
This model is equipped with advanced TrueColor technology that provides life-like images during video recording in three important ranges: exposure, color saturation, and white balance. The sound speed on this webcam is 48 kHz, but the microphone is only mono, so if you are planning to conduct Zoom meetings or record high-quality videos you should look for a more expensive option.
However, it’s still great for conducting Skype chats since the quality of its sound won’t let your interlocutor hear any noise from your room, nor his voice will be distorted by background noise. This device is compatible only with Windows operating system, but it doesn’t need any additional software to operate.
In terms of dimensions, this model measures 79 mm х 36 mm x 42 mm. It has got a sleek and modern design which makes it look stylish on your table and won’t let you feel ashamed while using it in front of other people. Creative Live! Cam Socialize HD 720p Webcam costs around 85$.
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Microsoft LifeCam Cinema HD Webcam
Another great device from Microsoft that will provide beautiful video quality during Zoom meetings or any other similar activities such as web chats via Skype or Google Hangouts since its sound recording reaches up to 30 FPS. We should say that the same TrueColor technology is also used in it which provides really great results during video recording when there are many light sources turned on around you.
This camera has got a wide-angle lens, so that’s another advantage if your computer monitor isn’t very big. You can change the resolution of its images, but only two options are available: 640x480 and 1280x720. But what makes this model distinctive from others is its background replacement ability, i.e., the option to remove the background in real-time while recording videos or conducting video conferences via Skype or Google Hangouts.
Such features make this webcam very easy to use, especially for beginners since they don’t need to spend hours trying to figure out how everything works. It operates on both Mac and Windows operating systems, so you don’t need to worry about your computer. The only thing we don’t like about this model is that it has got a rather large size (58 mm х 58 mm x 54 mm ) which might be inconvenient for some users.
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Vitade 960 A PRO USB Video Webcam
Another great option for those who want to record video chats via Skype or Google Hangouts is the camera from Vitade. It has got a design that resembles an owl, which makes it look original and stylish at the same time. This device has got only one resolution setting – 640 x 480. Also, this model has no additional features such as autofocus or RightLight technology. However, we still like its compact size (65 mm х 65 mm x 30 mm ) and low price (around 25$).
Video Zoom meeting records good sound quality in MP3 format at 192 kbps. Despite numerous advantages of using a USB 2.0 interface, this camera doesn’t support it, so there might be some delays when transferring files between your computer and this camera.
Final word
So, now we have shared with you all recommendations on how to choose the best webcam for Zoom. We hope that our tips will help you select the best webcam to provide you with a great experience in Zoom. And it does not matter for what purpose you will use it. If you have got any comments or questions, please share them in the section below. We will be happy to help you!