Whether you want a professional look for your livestreams or simply to look better on your next video chat, one of the best options is to use a dedicated camera with excellent video specs—such as your Sony Alpha mirrorless or Cyber-shot point-and-shoot camera. You will need a few key accessories to make it happen, but the benefit is well worth it.
Why Use a Sony Camera Instead of a Webcam?
The main reason you want to use a Sony camera over a webcam is for the vastly improved image quality. Sony cameras are already being used on film sets and in many independent filmmakers’ gear bags because they are known for stellar video quality. Now you can harness that quality to enjoy better video for your calls and meetings.
Recommended Cameras and Equipment
Most modern Sony cameras should offer a way to get a clean video feed via their HDMI output and now Sony has a Webcam app that will work with these cameras to produce a video feed compatible with many programs.
Most recently, version 2.00 for the ZV-1 allows users to connect the camera directly to a computer via a USB cable. It allows for standard UVC/UAC transmission that should work directly with most video conferencing programs. It even works with select Xperia smartphones for on-the-go streaming.
Here are the cameras we recommend for streaming and webcam use.
Of course, this list is not comprehensive; it only represents current models. If you have an older camera, such as the a6300, with a clean HDMI output function you can use this technique.
Simple: USB and Sony Webcam App
Sony has officially launched their Imaging Edge Webcam application for Windows and macOS. It works with a majority of Sony's camera models (37 as on Feb. 2021) and provides a way for cameras to connect via a single USB cable.
- Download and install the Imaging Edge Webcam application from Sony on their support page.
- Connect the camera via USB cable.
- Launch your video conferencing app and make sure to select "Imaging Edge Webcam" as the video source.
It's simple! Just make sure your camera is properly configured, some models require specific settings to function. One note is that the Imaging Edge Webcam app does not support audio, you will need another microphone or audio input for sound.
With the ZV-1 you don't even need the Imaging Edge Webcam app. Just connect via USB and you can enjoy both high-quality 1280 x 720 video resolution with sound.
High-Quality: HDMI Capture Devices
If you desire higher quality, you will also need a video capture device. This can come in multiple forms, as a small USB dongle, a switcher, or even a PCIe card that you install in your computer or an external enclosure. Here are a few of our recommendations.
To connect your camera to this device, you will need an HDMI cable. All of Sony’s current cameras feature a micro-HDMI port, meaning you’ll want a micro-HDMI to HDMI cable.
When you have the camera, a capture device, and a cable, you have everything you need to get started.
How to Set up your Camera and Computer
First, you will want to make sure that if your device requires any type of software, driver, or plug-in to work that you install it right away. Then you should be set to connect your camera, capture device, and computer. There is one mandatory setting—you must make sure the HDMI Output settings on your Sony camera match the requirements of your capture device. Some devices only record Full HD, so you’ll want to make sure you are outputting the correct format for this to work. Now for some recommended settings.
-
- Set your camera to Movie Mode.
- Choose Continuous AF (AFC) with Face/Eye Detection enabled.
- Manual exposure will give you consistent imagery.
That’s basically it, but make sure you are using a standard picture profile if you normally default to something like S-Log3 or HLG. This will make sure the image looks right on your screen.
Once it is plugged in, these devices should allow you to select them as a camera option in your video-conferencing software of choice.
More Info on Streaming
For more information on streaming or learning how to set up another brand or type of camera for use as a webcam, please stop by the B&H Livestream Center. Feel free to leave any questions or comments below.
