Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
Focused on video recording yell for workplace , the Logitech Brio 500 is meant to be be active around . picture caliber is satisfactory , but not a vainglorious rise over the very latest built - in Mac webcam .
Best Prices Today: Logitech Brio 500
Logitech ’s latest Brio webcam is a significant gradation down in quality from the top - of - the - line Brio 4 K , but offers some nice features for those that want a webcam primarily for workplace television group meeting rather than to be the next Twitch streaming star .
If you ’ve got a brand - fresh MacBook or iMac , you might line up that the video quality out of the Brio 500 is n’t much of an upgrade – Apple has finally rescue webcam quality you could live with ( though we feel it should do better ) . For any Mac prior to the M1 generation , the webcam quality leaves a lot to be desired , and something like this will definitely make you look better .
Aside from telecasting character , the extensive field of horizon , auto - tracking lineament , and Show manner to show your desk are welcome features for anyone . And a build up - in physical privacy cover ensures that nobody can peek in on you when you do n’t want them to .
A design meant to move
The Brio 500 is not mean to lock up in topographic point . It ’s got a handy proctor mount clamp with a somewhat sticky launch area to keep it unfaltering , but the television camera itself just has a pear-shaped peg on the bottom ( which screws into the standard camera mount thread ) that snaps magnetically into a round “ dimple ” on the mountain .
This makes it trivial to start off the camera and move it to show something as needed . But I do n’t really find I have to do that a destiny , and the design has a critical flaw in that it allows the television camera to well pivot left and right in its magnetized dock . It does n’t make much military unit to turn the photographic camera allow and correct , which it would sometimes do just from tote gently on its USB - C cable as I adjusted my monitor . A quick turn of the right side of the webcam closes a strong-arm cover in front of the camera lens , insure your privateness .
On nifty trick : In the Logi Tune software , you may flip a toggle for “ Show Mode . ” When this is enabled , the camera can detect when it is pointing down past a sure angle and will flip the video around 180 degrees . It ’s meant for you to lean the photographic camera down to show something at your desk , give way viewers the same right - side - up view you have . The Desk View feature inContinuity Camera(coming in macOS Ventura ) does something similar , though it providestwoviews – your desk and your face . ( It also involve an iPhone to work as a consecrated webcam . )
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Respectable video quality
When it come to video recording quality , the Brio 500 maxes out at 1080p and 30fps , but 720p and 60fps is an option . For the price , it seems like a 4 K option should be available , or at least 60fps at 1080p .
The camera is a all-inclusive 90 - level field of view , with selection to digitally crop in to a more distinctive 78 degree or a mingy 68 to enchant just your fount . You suffer a bit of detail as you zoom in digitally , though . The Right Sight feature film can automatically pan off around to keep your face in view , a bit like Apple ’s Center Stage feature of speech on iPads and the Studio Display . This has become a pretty received feature article on many webcam .
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The work up - in stereo microphone produces pretty serious strait , as these thing go , but a headset is usually the way to go for audio .
If there ’s a sensitive slur in the television tone , however , it ’s gloss and dynamic orbit , not resolution or frame rate . Most video conferencing apps for business do n’t go past 1080p and 30fps anyway . Though the Brio 500 does corroborate HDR , and there ’s a moderately cock-a-hoop difference when you plow it off in the Logi Tune software , I ’ve still see better dynamic range in other premium webcams . White symmetry is a scrap off , too – in my home office , it was n’t unusual for my cutis to have an unnaturally red chromaticity . Apple ’s built - in camera on the latest M2 MacBook Air seems to provide a better active ambit and more rude skin tones , but old Macs ’ webcams do n’t fare nearly as well .
Should you buy a Logitech Brio 500?
The large sticking out topic with the Brio 500 is the damage . The $ 130 price a stack for a webcam that maxes out at 1080p and 30fps . It ’s almost twice the price of Logitech ’s own C920 , not to mention compete television camera . The wide field of view and niceties like Show Mode are welcome , but dynamical range and skin tones should be safe at this cost – you may as well spend $ 199 to get the Brio 4K.
If you ’ve got a Mac circa 2020 or in the beginning , this will probably typify a meaning advance over the build - in camera ( and the old your Mac , the expectant the boost ) . But the latest Macs eventually have decent webcams , and they supply better color and dynamic range at a standardised resolution . You ’d be devote for the wider field of view and Show Mode , and not much else .
This is a safe buy if you incur it on sale , but hard to urge at full toll , and hard to advocate at any price if you ’ve fuck off a make - unexampled Apple silicon - based Mac with their improved tv camera quality .
We look at a choice of World Wide Web cams in ourBest webcams for Macround up .
