Intro

If you lot've been in a lot of video conference meetings, or you live stream regularly, you've probably realized that the webcam mounted inside your laptop has poor image quality. If you want better video for your live streams, video chats, and webinars, so you demand a better camera. Rather than ownership a new webcam, why not plow the DSLR camera y'all already have into a webcam?

Since the 2020 pandemic and the soaring numbers of live streamers and video conference meetings that resulted, it's get easier than ever to use your DSLR as a webcam. In this guide, we'll walk you through the various options for setting upward your DSLR camera as a webcam.

🤔 What is the difference between DSLR and web cameras?

Earlier we swoop into how to use a DSLR camera every bit a webcam, yous should know the difference between the two. DSLR stands for "digital single-lens reflex," and information technology'south a common type of digital camera. It combines the mechanisms of a single-lens reflex camera with a digital imaging sensor.

A web camera or webcam is a video camera that records or streams video in real time over the internet. They are less powerful than DSLR cameras and much smaller, normally sitting on a desk, attached to the top of a figurer monitor, or built into laptops.

Although webcams are smaller and less powerful than DSLR cameras, they are less expensive. DSLR cameras also must exist recharged when their batteries die downwardly, whereas webcams are powered by the laptop or estimator they're plugged or built into.

Webcams are pop among live streamers, and at that place are high-quality webcams available that will raise the quality of your alive video. All the same, if you want even ameliorate quality or already ain a DSLR camera and don't desire to buy a new webcam, and then a DSLR camera is an splendid choice.

👉 Why would you employ a DSLR camera instead of a webcam?

Some use cases for DSLR cameras as webcams include:

  • Alive streaming: Y'all can easily use a DSLR photographic camera every bit a source with your favorite alive streaming software. A DSLR likewise enhances the video quality, enticing more viewers to watch your stream.
  • VOD content creation: For prerecorded videos and VOD content, a DSLR camera is easy to apply and gives your videos a professional look.
  • Video conferencing: If you're in a lot of meetings or discover yourself presenting webinars oft, it would be worthwhile to use a DSLR instead of a webcam, so the mediocre quality of your video doesn't distract from your presentation.
  • Taking photos: If you use your webcam to take contour photos or selfies, bandy out your DSLR instead. Webcams aren't meant to capture photos, but DSLR cameras are. You'll end up with a loftier-quality, professional photo you lot can employ on your social media profiles, including LinkedIn.

👀 What do you need to use a DSLR as a webcam?

At that place are three ways to set a DSLR as a webcam. One involves the camera manufacturer'south software, one requires a capture card, and the last 1 uses broadcasting software.

ane. USB connection

Several camera manufacturers, such every bit Panasonic, Canon, and Sony, have developed software that allows you to use their DSLR cameras for alive video chatting and streaming on your estimator. For this method, all you lot need is the USB cable that came with your camera and the software. Several brands have their own software bachelor to download:

  • Canon: EOS Webcam Utility (Mac and PC)
  • Fujifilm: FUJIFILM 10 Webcam (Mac and PC)
  • Sony: Imaging Edge Webcam (PC)
  • Panasonic: LUMIX Tether for Streaming (Beta) (PC)

To use the manufacturer's DSLR webcam software, download the software and follow the instructions for calibrating the settings. Notation that for each software, but sure models of cameras are supported.

If the Catechism, Fujifilm, Sony, or Panasonic webcam apps don't work with your photographic camera, y'all can try a webcam app such as Ecamm Live. All it takes is connecting your camera to your computer via USB cable. Once you have the webcam software upward and running, you can modify the camera settings.

2. HDMI connection

A second selection is connecting your camera to a capture bill of fare. Before 2020 made all of usa more concerned about webcam software, this method was the number-i way live streamers turned DSLRs into webcams. A capture card takes the video your DSLR records and converts it for digital streaming.

To set it up, connect your DSLR camera to your capture card with an HDMI cablevision. Then, stick the USB terminate of your capture menu into your calculator. If you lot're planning to apply a video conferencing tool with this setup, such equally Zoom or Microsoft Teams, then yous don't need to download any other software.

3. Circulate software

If y'all're planning to live stream with your DSLR camera, y'all'll need broadcasting software such as OBS or Restream. Yous'll use the HDMI and capture carte method higher up, then download your dissemination software and add your DSLR camera as a source.

When yous connect your DSLR camera to Restream Studio, y'all tin customize how the video appears to your viewers. Restream easily lets you add together overlays, graphics, and backgrounds to your live stream. In addition to camera settings, there'due south a centralized chat hub where yous can see messages from across multiple live streaming platforms. Y'all can also bring guests onto your live testify by simply sending them a link.

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🤩 How to get the best quality with a DSLR camera as a webcam

A DSLR camera usually has better video quality than a webcam, but you tin enhance your live stream or video chat even more with a few uncomplicated tips.

1. Utilise accessories for better paradigm quality

A few accessories will make your DSLR camera much easier to employ equally a webcam. A tripod tin can keep information technology steady and at the correct top throughout your live session or conference call.

When information technology comes to live video, never underestimate lighting. Just i lite strategically placed behind your camera can add so much depth to your video quality that you'll look similar a professional. Read our video lighting guide to larn more about lighting and why y'all need it.

Another accessory that could make a difference to the image quality of your live stream is an ethernet cable. When live streaming, connect to the cyberspace with an ethernet cablevision rather than over Wi-Fi. The connection will be faster and create a smoother viewing experience.

2. Use an external microphone

The internal microphone on your DSLR photographic camera is probably meliorate than the internal microphone on your laptop, but an external mic is amend than both of them. Visual quality is of import, but if the sound on your alive stream or video telephone call is scratchy, nobody will want to keep listening to you lot. Cheque out our guides to the top streaming microphones and top lavalier mics for streaming to larn more than about external microphones.

3. Mute your microphone when you are not speaking

If you lot've been in several video conferences, yous've learned proper video conferencing etiquette by at present and know to mute your microphone when you lot're not speaking. "Y'all're on mute" was probably the well-nigh used phrase of 2020. When you mute yourself, the others on your call won't hear any random background noise coming from your end, and your sharp sneeze won't disrupt the coming together.

four. Bank check sound levels on your calculator

The layout of the room y'all're in tin can affect the sound quality of your live stream or video phone call. Rooms with hard floor and not much piece of furniture create an repeat. To make your audio more precise, check the audio levels on your computer, and always run a few tests before live streaming or starting a conference call.

Let'due south wrap upward

Swapping out your webcam for a DSLR camera is easy if you lot have the right tools and software. It can also raise the quality of your live streams and video calls. Once you start using a DSLR photographic camera for live streaming, you lot'll never want to switch dorsum to a webcam!