Logitech StreamCam review: Thoughtful features make this a great streaming camera

There are a lot of webcams out there that work great for streamers and content creators, but there aren't many that focus exclusively on this crowd. We've seen the Razer Kiyo enter the space with a dedicated ring light, but it's somewhat bulky and limited to 30 frames per second (fps) at 1080p. Now, Logitech has spiced things up with the StreamCam, which, while lacking a ring light, manages to do a lot right when combined with a dedicated software experience aimed at content creators and streamers.

With the StreamCam, Logitech promises a webcam that packs a suite of software tools and features that appeal to creators who are just getting started. For the most part, it delivers on that promise handily, with some caveats. Let's take a look.

What you'll like about the Logitech StreamCam

The Logitech StreamCam wholly embodies what content creators need in a webcam, and it does it with aplomb. Not only that, but it looks good while doing it. The design and features of the camera are what shine here.

The StreamCam is made of a plastic shell that feels pretty durable. On the front, you'll find a weaved fabric finish around the lens of the camera, with a Logi logo and a little light in one corner that lets you know when the camera is on. The StreamCam comes out of the box attached to a mount meant to fit behind a display, but there's also an alternative tripod mount that you can use to get different angles.

The StreamCam uses USB-C "to ensure maximum video transfer speed and quality," Logitech says. I'm a big advocate for the whole industry moving to USB-C, so this was a good thing to see. It also ensures Logitech can focus on tightly tuning the camera's performance for one connection type.

The camera itself supports several frame rates, but the big draw is its ability to run at 1080p at 60fps. This results in incredibly smooth performance, which can enhance the quality no matter what type of content you produce. That's combined with a 78-degree field of view, which I felt was a great middle-ground, though I can understand if some would like to see something broader.

With its base specs, the StreamCam is a reliable webcam, but the software experience is where it starts to get good. For this review, I used a beta version of the Logitech Capture software with special features built for StreamCam. However, the experience felt polished with plenty of cool features for streamers.

When paired with Logitech Capture, the StreamCam is a content creation machine. The software brings smart auto-focus and exposure, along with auto-framing, using a bit of AI to keep your face looking good and centered automatically. There's also electronic image stabilization, which can kill minor camera shakes if you happen to bump your desk while recording or streaming.

One of my favorite features is full support for 1080p vertical video. The camera can be easily rotated on its mount to flip to a vertical orientation, and Logitech Capture automatically recognizes this and adjusts. This is great if you're producing dedicated content for Instagram or Facebook stories, where it's mainly consumed on phones. This worked great in my testing, and I can see it becoming a huge deal for anyone who has a social media following.

Where Logitech Capture is particularly fun is with its support for multiple camera inputs. You can combine feeds from multiple cameras (two StreamCams, perhaps) with several different picture-in-picture or picture-by-picture orientations to choose from. For anyone who does hands-on YouTube tutorials, for example, this could become invaluable, with the ability to have one camera focused on your face while another mounted on a tripod captures whatever you're working on.

There are too many features in Logitech Capture to cover, but there's plenty for content creators to like. You can access plenty of different filters, adjust framerates anywhere from 24fps to 60fps, and save profiles to access later. You also have manual controls for things like exposure and focus, along with scene transition effects, custom text overlays, and more.

Overall, Logitech has done a lot of work here to make getting started with streaming or general content creation much easier. The Logitech Capture software is easy to use, and it's clear what every setting does. Moreover, it lowers the barrier for anyone who wants to learn how to use things like picture-in-picture and text overlays. Combined with support in OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) and XSplit, the StreamCam is a solid pick for anyone getting started with streaming.

What you'll dislike about the Logitech StreamCam

My one major gripe with the Logitech StreamCam has impacts on of its highlight features. If you manually set the camera to capture at 1080p and 60fps, the exposure drops dramatically. That's normal for all cameras, as the shutter is only open for half the amount of time compared to 30fps. Still, it's worth noting if you're going to run at 60fps in poor lighting.

Thankfully, there is and option in Logitech Capture to prioritize exposure over framerate. If you set the camera to 60fps at 1080p, then enable this option, the exposure rebounds to normal levels.

Another area that could use some tuning is with the mic. I don't expect webcam microphones to be amazing, and it's nice that Logitech included support for stereo and dual-mono sound here. However, you'll probably want to invest in a quality headset or more professional mic setup if you're looking to produce high-quality content.

Source: Dan Thorp-Lancaster/Windows Central

While I love the default to USB-C here, it's worth keeping in mind if you're using an older PC without support for the connection. Logitech says you can use a USB-C to USB-A dongle, but it can't guarantee the StreamCam will work at its full potential. While it would be nice to include an adapter in the box, Logitech says that it opted not to cut down on its environmental impact. After all, if only a fraction of buyers will use the adapter, that's a lot of plastic that will eventually end up in a landfill somewhere.

Though this is a camera primarily intended for streamers, one notable omission is Windows Hello. It's a feature that's present on the pricier 4K Logitech Brio, but it's missing here. Given the form factor of the StreamCam, it's easy to see how an additional IR camera would have cramped its style, but it would have been a nice feature to have.

Finally, there's the cost of the StreamCam to consider. After spending time with it, I think it's worth the cost, but $170 is a lot of money. If you're serious about getting started with producing content for YouTube, of kicking off your streaming career, then all of the bells and whistles you get with the StreamCam are worth the money.

Should you buy the Logitech StreamCam?

As long as you can justify the cost, the Logitech StreamCam is about as good as you can get in the webcam space. Some more advanced streamers and creators might opt for a dedicated professional camera. Still, the StreamCam offers an easy onramp for anyone just getting started or who doesn't want to drop a thousand dollars or more on a camera.

Good looks and excellent software make StreamCam an alluring package for creators. As someone who has flirted with the idea of streaming, the StreamCam feels like the push that may get me to take the leap. If you're in the same boat, the Logitech StreamCam is definitely worth a look.