Is it worth buying a webcam

If you are planning to buy a new webcam, then some questions must be wandering in your mind.

  • Is it worth buying a webcam?
  • Is webcam better than laptop camera?
  • How much should I spend on a webcam?
  • What should I look for when buying a webcam?

We are going to answer all these questions with others. Also, we have shared the disadvantages of webcam so that you get a clear idea.

Based on our personal experience, we will tell you whether you should buy a webcam or not. If you should, then how much should you spend on it?

So, Is it worth buying a webcam? Let’s find it out.

Why Webcam is Important?

The Webcam is definitely not for taking photos. It’s handy for those who always need to attend online meetings or classes.

As the pandemic hits the world, IT companies ask their employees to work from home. Educational institutes or schools also did the same.

Now, the situation is getting better, but still, online classes and meetings are happening around the globe.

So if you attend classes or meetings on your laptop, then an external webcam would be convenient for you.

Is webcam better than laptop camera?

Is it worth buying a webcam for laptop

No matter how expensive your laptop is, there are high chances that you are going to be left unimpressed with its webcam.

Companies don’t pay much attention to improving the quality of the webcam, instead, they focus on other things.

Even the sensors used on laptop’s webcams are inferior, resulting in grainy video quality.

Companies like Xioami haven’t included a webcam on Mi Notebook 14 because of the thin bezels.

Using an external webcam can solve this problem to a great extent. If you buy a good webcam, then you will see a significant difference in the output.

So yes, external webcams are better than laptop cameras.

Is it worth buying a webcam?

Yes, it is, but not for everyone.

How?

Actually, it all depends on your usage. Some normal users who hardly make video calls through the laptop don’t need a webcam.

Even for those who rarely make any video calls, the inbuilt webcam will serve well.

On the other hand, an external webcam is worth it if you:

  • Make regular video calls through Skype/Zoom
  • Attend online classes as a student
  • Attend video conferences
  • Are a teacher who need to deliver online classes to students
  • Take online lessons
  • Go live on social media
  • Want to use the webcam in different angles

If any of the above activities are included in your work routine, go and buy an external webcam because it’s worth it.

How much should I spend on a webcam?

That’s the most important question. If a webcam is worth it, then it doesn’t mean you need to spend a lot to get one.

So What should be the right amount to spend on a webcam?

Depending on your usage pattern, spend at least Rs 1500-2000 on a webcam.

At this price, you will get a decent webcam that offers good HD or FHD video quality with a lot of other features.

To make it easy for you, we have listed the Best Webcam For Laptops under 2000. We suggest you have a look at these webcams because this list contains webcams from Rs 1200-2000.

You can always extend your budget to get more premium video quality, but the price we have mentioned above should be your least price to spend on a webcam to get good video quality.

What should I look for when buying a webcam?

What should I look for when buying a webcam

Important things that you should look for:

  • Is it 720p (HD) or 1080p (FHD)?
  • How many frames does it support? (Mostly, webcams are 30fps)
  • Does it have a mic?
  • Is it plug-and-play? (So that you don’t need to install any driver)
  • Is it Windows, Mac OS, or Chrome OS compatible?
  • Field of view. (Is it wide-angle or normal?)
  • How long is the cable? (Should be at least 1-1.5 meters)
  • Does it have clip mounts so that you can use it on laptops, desktops, or PCs?
  • Does it have any features to improve video quality like noise reduction, background light correction, etc?
  • Is it compatible with major video conference platforms like Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, Hangouts, WebEx, etc?
  • Weight. (If it’s too light, then it will get displaced with the small movements of the laptop.)

If you just take care of these things, then you will end up buying a good webcam for yourself.

Is 30 fps good for webcam?

In our book, 30 fps on a webcam is good.

Let’s take the example of smartphones. There are a lot of smartphones out there that record 4k videos at 30 fps.

So does it mean that 30 fps is too laggy or choppy? No, that 30 fps is fully serviceable.

Yes, webcams don’t record 4k videos, but the frame rate is still the same. And you are not going to record high frame rate videos with the webcam.

For the purpose of video calls and meetings, 30 fps on a webcam is fully serviceable.

Even if you spend Rs 5000, most of the webcams offer 30fps recording.

Is 720p good enough for webcam?

Is 720p good enough for webcam

When it comes to resolution, it matters if a webcam has 720p or 1080p recording.

But that also depends on the actions that you are going to perform on the webcam. Are you recording a video or streaming online?

If you are recording, then it matters if you have a 1080p webcam. But if you are just streaming or attending a meeting, then it’s not going to make much of a difference.

A 720p video recorded with a higher megapixel camera can record clearer and sharper video compared to a 1080p video recorded with a lower megapixel camera.

So what are our thoughts?

For the majority of people, 720p is fine. For the price of 1500-2000, there is no problem with having a 720p webcam.

If you need the extra sharpness and details, then go with the 1080p webcam.

Disadvantages of webcam

External webcams have a lot of advantages, but also have some disadvantages that you should be aware of.

  • You need to carry it separately all the time if you travel more often.
  • The short wire length on some webcams may not be beneficial if you have a PC, but the CPU is a little far.
  • Most webcams attach perfectly fine with laptops but not with desktops or monitors.

So these are a few disadvantages of a webcam that you should keep in mind.

If you are interested, then check these Best Laptop For IT Professionals in the different price ranges.

Conclusion

Is it worth buying a webcam? We are sure you already know the answer.

Webcams are made for a purpose. They deliver good video call quality compared to the in-built webcams of laptops.

Depending on your budget and use, you can choose the right webcam for you and have a good presence at video conferences.

Don’t forget to check these Professional Looking Gaming laptops.

So this was our take on Webcams. Do you agree or disagree with any of the points mentioned above? Do share your thoughts.

In case you are left with any questions, feel free to ask us.

We hope you have found this information helpful. If yes, then consider sharing it with others.

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