Dell Pro Webcam Review | PCMag

The Dell UltraSharp Webcam ($199.99), which we reviewed in 2021, is a sleek aluminum device that delivers crisp 4K images, but it’s expensive and lacks a microphone for audio. It’s like the less “pro” version of , but at a much better price of $99.99. The Dell Pro captures bright and sharp 2K images of him and adds audio support for half the price of the UltraSharp model. It’s not the absolute best in any respect, but its combination of video and audio performance at an attractive price makes it our Editors’ Choice award for affordable webcams.

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Dell Pro Webcam Design and Features

Dell took the pipe-like design of the UltraSharp Webcam and gave it a more compact twist with the Pro Webcam. This he is a 3.5 x 1.7 inch (HW) black plastic cylinder with a magnetic lens cap that sticks to the back of the camera for storage when in use. It doesn’t have the UltraSharp Webcam’s sleek aluminum body, but it’s lightweight and simple.

The clip is built into the cylinder as a flip down foot. The adjustable feet are rubber-coated to protect your monitor or PC, and the hinges are strong enough to allow the camera to hold its position at different vertical angles. Like the UltraSharp webcam, the Pro webcam cannot be rotated left or right. The tripod socket is located at the bottom of the adjustable leg. Connects to a computer or hub via USB-A. This means that it may not work on machines that only have USB-C.

(Credit: Will Greenwald)

The Pro Webcam makes some tradeoffs with the UltraSharp model for a lower price. The webcam can capture video at resolutions up to 2K QHD (2560 x 1440) at 24 or 30 frames per second, or 1080p or 720p at up to 60 frames per second. Configuration. It can’t record 4K video and doesn’t have 90-degree viewing angles like the UltraSharp, but they’re a reasonable compromise.

More importantly, the Pro Webcam includes a microphone that the UltraSharp does not. No need to spend money on another mic, use a headset, or rely on your computer’s mic during a video call. Audio sounds clear through the camera’s mic, but it can pick up echoes from time to time and doesn’t quite match the quality of a dedicated USB mic (always recommended for best possible audio). ).

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moderately adjustable

(Credit: Dell/Will Greenwald)

Like the UltraSharp webcam, you can control the Pro Webcam using the Dell Peripheral Manager software (available for macOS and Windows 10/11). It sets the camera field of view, enables AI-based autoframing (which follows the user and digitally zooms the face), manually frames with digital zoom, toggles autofocus, and manually sets focus. , is a simple app that allows you to set the capture priority as follows: exposure or frame rate. You can also set resolution and frame rate, toggle between high dynamic range (HDR) capture and automatic white balance, manually adjust exposure, and enable or disable the microphone. It’s a basic app, but it has a live preview and can record video clips on its own.

The two available fields of view are sufficient for both close video calls and slightly wider shots, but neither is wide enough to comfortably support larger group shots. , not particularly aggressive. It’s slow to recognize and pan to faces, and zooming has little effect, so don’t expect it to follow you quickly in the frame.

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Dell Pro Webcam Image Quality

Sample image in a bright room (Credit: Will Greenwald)

The camera’s up to 2K resolution can capture detailed video showing textures like hair and beard stubble, but it’s not the sharpest image we’ve seen. will occur. Softness is less intrusive and detail is preserved in both foreground and background (no built-in background blurring feature). Image quality is on par with the Razer Kiyo Pro, but both the UltraSharp Webcam and Elgato Facecam Pro ($299.99) are slightly sharper.

Sample image in a dark room (Credit: Will Greenwald)

Sample image in a dark room with fill light (Credit: Will Greenwald)

Photo noise is noticeable in low light, but in a dark room with just the light from the monitor, I was able to balance the exposure. Using the Logitech Litra fill light significantly improved the image, reducing noise to roughly the same level as recording in a well-lit room. The background is still noisy, but I looked much sharper.

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Great performance for the price

The Dell Pro Webcam is a step back in image and build quality from the UltraSharp Webcam, but at $99.99 it’s a much more reasonable price. It’s sharp enough for video calls, and the built-in mic lets you communicate clearly without any additional equipment. Comparable to the Razer Kiyo Pro for half the price, it won our Editors’ Choice Award for being an affordable webcam. If you need a wide angle to cover not just your desk, but a small conference room, the Anker PowerConf C300 ($129.99) is a better choice with its 115-degree field of view. If you’re looking to save a little money, the Poly Studio P5 ($79.99) also offers strong performance for a slightly lower price, though neither are as well-balanced as the Dell Pro.