The quick list
1. Overall: Logitech C299
2. Budget: Razer Kiyo
3. Premium: Sony A7III
4. Webcam: Elgato Facecam
5. AI webcam: Obsbot Meet
6. Outdoor: GoPro Hero 9
7. 4K cam: Sony ZV-E10
8. Vlog: PowerShot G7 X Mark III
9. Youtube: Canon EOS M50 MII
10. Gaming: Sony PS5 Cam
11. TikTok: iPhone 14 Pro Max
12. PTZ cam: MEVO Start
13. Budget PTZ: Logitech PTZ Pro 2
14. PC Webcam: LifeCam HD-3000
15. FAQs
Owning one of the best cameras for streaming is essential if you're serious about going live online, you've decided to take up vlogging, or maybe you've just created a Twitch account and aren't sure where to start with your setup. Either way, we're here to help you find a streaming camera to suit your budget and lifestyle.
While your basic laptop camera and microphone will do a primary job of putting you in front of people, it provides a limited quality of visuals and audio compared to what the best streaming cameras can offer. From our experience, traditional webcams are ideal for streaming from a computer setup, and are usually the most affordable - but there are other types of cameras to consider too.
If you happen to be a photographer or content creator, chances are that the DSLR or mirrorless camera you already own is fine for streaming. There are also action cams and PTZ cameras (short for pan-tilt-zoom), which can provide a wider field of view and follow you around the room by tracking your movements.
See our expert picks of the best cameras if you need a piece of kit that can do both, or if you're more interested in video calls, then see our best conference room webcams guide. Don't forget our best camera phones guide too.
The quick list
Don't have much time? Here's our top 3 choices for the best streaming cameras right now, but we recommend you see our full list to make a truly informed choice.
This is the best streaming camera overall when considering the price, performance, 1080p HD quality, great portability, general reviews, and other key features.
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This is the best budget streaming camera for illuminating your space, with a built-in multi-step ring light making it ideal for gaming rooms and TikTok. The quality is 1080p at 30FPS, and you can stay sharp with fast autofocus.
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This is the best premium streaming camera option that doubles as one of the best mirrorless cameras in the industry. This camera will allow you to stream in 4K resolution at 30FPS.
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The best cameras for live streaming
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The best Streaming camera overall
The Logitech C922 is likely to be the best choice of streaming camera for most users. It's not the cheapest webcam that Logitech offers, and nor is it the most advanced – it hits an optimal sweet spot in the middle to provide the ideal balance between price and functionality. It can capture Full HD 1080p video at 30p, or HD 720p at 60p, and what's more, in a real boon for streamers, it comes with its own tripod.
It's super easy to set up and use, with good autofocus and light correction that will automatically optimise the image to make you look your best. You can easily alter these functions in Logitech's software if you want to, and while you can't attach an external mic to the camera, you do have the built-in dual omnidirectional microphones that record audio in excellent quality.
The best budget Streaming camera
Many streamers and TikTokers find themselves buying a ring light to enhance the scene and add that polished glow to your face – well, the Razer Kiyo webcam has a multi-step LED built right in! This of course earns this webcam brownie points right off the bat, and it continues to impress with full manual camera controls and Full HD 30fps video that looks excellent.
If you take the resolution down to HD 720p then you can up the frame rate to 60fps (and if you simply must have Full HD 60fps, there is a doubly expensive Razer Kiyo Pro offering this, and a Pro Ultra model that's even flashier ). If you’re the kind of streamer who likes to tweak and fiddle with their image until you're happy with how it looks, the Razer Kiyo will let you absolutely go to town.
We also consider this one of the best budget streaming cameras, available for as little as $39/£65 from select retailers and directly from Razer.
The best premium Streaming camera
The Sony A7 III is one of the best mirrorless cameras on the market, used by millions of photographers and content creators due to its lightweight body, excellent 4K video capabilities and 35mm full-frame sensor for stunning imagery. It also works great as an option for streaming with the ability to both record and stream high-quality footage at the same time, but you'll need to connect it to a PC or laptop to do so through the HDMI port.
Sony advises using a third-party HDMI to USB video capture device to stream from a Sony A7 III, as the device can overheat when used for long periods of time. This can be done without a capture card, and simply by using a HDMI and USB cable to connect your A7III to the computer, with free Imaging Edge Webcam software installed. The camera has AF eye-tracking and face-detection modes for sharp focus at all times, so ensure these modes are enabled while you stream.
The best webcam Streaming camera
Elgato has spent some time building up a stable of products for a streaming studio, from lights to microphones, so it was inevitable that we’d eventually get an Elgato-branded webcam. As competition to the likes of Logitech, the Elgato Facecam impresses, but that price tag gives you an indication that it’s targeting a slightly different level of user – if you want 60p video, you gotta pay for it. While having your Full HD video running at 60 frames per second isn't probably necessary, you can’t argue against how smooth it looks.
The eight-element prime lens on the front of the camera helps the image look as sharp as possible. You’ll undoubtedly look fantastic on streams captured using the Elgato Facecam – really it’s just a question of whether you want to pay the premium for it.
The best AI webcam Streaming camera
The Obsbot Meet 4K webcam is a great option for those who can afford to have a bit of fun. Primarily intended for conference calls more so than streaming for the web or gaming, this cam is impressively equipped with AI features to always keep you centre frame and in the picture.
It has HDR functions too to ensure you always look sharp, and the AI power behind this cam will keep the exposure correct at all times too. A great option for those who spend a lot of time presenting on Google Meets or Microsoft Teams.
The best outdoor Streaming camera
An action camera isn't the first camera you'd think of when it comes to streaming, but the GoPro Hero 10 Black offers a rugged and compact design, great image quality, and ease of use. It has a live streaming resolution of 1080p resolution, and it works with YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook Pages.
If for any reason you're looking to stream fast-paced live-action scenes, then GoPro's HyperSmooth 4.0 image stabilization can be activated to keep the footage stable! Action aficionados who also want to stream will get a lot from choosing the GoPro Hero 10 Black, but it's an expensive choice if you're only going to use it for streaming.
To stream using a GoPro, you'll need the GoPro app for IOS or Android, and to update the camera to the latest firmware via GoPro Quik or manually. You’ll be able to generate a private link to share with your audience through a GoPro Subscription or by using an RTMP URL. Instagram does not seem to be supported.
The best 4K Streaming camera
Sony's "ZV" cameras are specifically designed for vloggers who want a well-specced video setup without spending a fortune. The ZV-E10 steps forward as a mirrorless alternative to the fixed-lens ZV-1, giving you a host of great video features as well as access to the excellent E-mount stable of lenses.
In use, we appreciated the ZV-E10's excellent built-in mic setup. While you'll probably want to wire in your own mic to ensure optimal audio quality, having the built-in 3-capsule mic is a great backup, and means you've always got a decent option if your go-to mic packs in. It's easy to set the ZV-E10 up for streaming thanks to the USB-C connectivity, and the footage is right at the quality it needs to be. Some may bemoan the lack of proper optical stabilisation, but as a streamer, you're likely to have the camera locked off anyway and probably don't need to worry about it.
We do wish the menu system was touch optimised, as Sony's famously awkward menu system is difficult enough to navigate as is. Also, be aware that the ZV-E10 is known for some rolling shutter problems when panning – again, since you're probably not moving the camera when streaming, this shouldn't be much of an issue.
The best Streaming camera for vlogging
YouTubers love the Canon G7 X series, and this latest iteration is the most video-focused yet. The fact that it has a clean HDMI out means it’s easy to stream high-quality video, even in 4K UHD if you so desire, and having a 3.5mm mic input means you can attach a high-quality microphone for superior audio (though with no mic hotshoe on top of the camera, you’ll need to find somewhere else to put it).
Its 24-100mm equivalent lens provides a broad range of framing options, and there’s a pleasing range of frame rate options in Full HD. It’s definitely on the pricey side for a compact camera with a 1-inch sensor, but if you’re a streamer, the video features just about justify the price.
The best Streaming camera for YouTube
Another contender from Canon, the Canon EOS M50 Mark II is not only an affordable and user-friendly crop-sensor mirrorless camera, but it can double as a webcam and vlogging companion too. If you're just getting started in the world of streaming and want a decent setup without spending a fortune, then this is the camera for you.
To stream, you'll need to use Canon's free EOS Webcam Utility software, and connect the camera to your PC or laptop. You might also need a separate microphone, the camera does have one but the utility software when connected doesn't always process audio.
Ideal for streamers and students, this is probably one of the most affordable options on this list if you plan to use the camera for some general photography too, but if you're only planning to use this camera for streaming then there are much cheaper alternatives and you should probably consider a webcam first.
The best Streaming camera for gaming
If you want to stream some games directly from your PlayStation 5 console, then we're sorry to report that this is your only real option. This is the only native camera option for the PS5 and Sony really let us down with the potential this cam could've had. It can't be used for party chats, it doesn't have a built-in microphone, doesn't support motion, and it isn't compatible with the original PSVR (or the new PSVR 2 either), but it does have picture-in-picture broadcasting.
The Playstation 5 Camera requires only one cable (a USB-A connector) to connect to the PS5, but it has no microphone, so you'll need to use your headset or the microphone of the DualSense control pad, or an external mic to make the camera functional for its one purpose - streaming.
The camera also can't be used for other purposes, such as video calls via social media channels like Discord, Skype or WhatsApp. The lack of 4K output with this camera given that the PlayStation 5 is a 4K console is also a little baffling, so it might be a good idea to look into a different setup for gaming that doesn't involve directly streaming from the console itself if you want high-quality streaming.
The best Streaming camera for TikTok
Probably the easiest way to stream directly to an app, social media platform such as Facebook and Instagram, or to Discord and other downloadable streaming apps is through a smartphone. Phone cameras are catching up in quality, and can now record amazing resolution footage that's good enough for streaming.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max is a great option and one of the best camera phones on the market right now. The 48MP main camera is a beast, and depending on if you choose to shoot through the front camera or using the triple-rear array, then you're guaranteed to get a good quality stream. Just make sure you have it set up on a smartphone tripod, gimbal, or something stable enough to keep it steady.
The best PTZ streaming camera
For wireless streaming and seamless connectivity, it’s hard to beat the Mevo Start. Using the Mevo Camera App, or the Mevo Multicam App for multiple-camera setups, you can control the settings of your stream, switching between shots and editing on the fly. The Mevo Start has excellent built-in microphones that capture audio in great quality from a considerable distance, and it has pan, tilt and zoom functionality – though the maximum zoom is only 2.3x so it’s not exactly a game-changer.
Thanks to the Wi-Fi integration, it’s possible and even easy to stream completely wirelessly with the Mevo Start; the only reason to plug it in via the USB-C connection would be if you’re worried about battery life.
The best budget PTZ streaming camera
While it may look like quite a price jump from the webcam, believe us, the Logitech PTZ Pro 2 is pretty cheap for a PTZ camera. It’s capable of capturing great-looking Full HD video, and thanks to its high-quality lens unit, can also optically zoom up to 10x, meaning you can get closer without the loss in quality that comes with digital zoom.
This makes it great for streaming a conference or speaking event, as you can move from a wide room shot to a tight speaker shot with ease, controlling the camera via the hand-held remote. It plugs in via easy USB, and while the autofocus is sometimes a little temperamental, overall it offers excellent value for a PTZ camera.
The best PC webcam for streaming
You don’t need to spend big money to get started with streaming. The Microsoft Lifecam HD-3000 is available for a fantastic budget price, and really it has all the basics you need to get started. It only captures video in HD 720p, not Full HD 1080p, but this is absolutely fine for smartphone viewing and basic setups, so if you’re streaming more for fun than to make a career, it’ll do the job.
One piece of advice though – don’t bother with the digital zoom, as 720p doesn’t provide enough pixels for it to look anything other than bad. The built-in mic is decent quality and even has some noise cancellation, which is a nice touch. For a straightforward PC streaming setup that keeps things cheap, we’d definitely recommend the LifeCam HD-3000.
FAQs
How should I choose the best camera for streaming?
When picking the best streaming camera, it's worth looking at the specs for each product to figure out exactly what you need. Having a decent amount of resolution is a plus, but there's no need to overdo it – streaming in 4K is very data-intensive, and most of your audience probably won't watch it in that resolution anyway. Ideally, you want to shoot for Full HD (1920x1080), but HD (1280x720) will do just fine if you're up against it budget-wise.
The other half of the picture is the frame rate of the video. Having 30fps (frames per second) is good, and having 60fps is even better, though once again, you'll need to balance your budget to determine what you can afford.
What is a PTZ camera?
PTZ (pan, tilt, zoom) cameras are capable of tracking your movement through different motions using motorized stands, which gives them freedom of movement compared to a fixed webcam.
Having a camera that can follow you around the room is an advantage, and a PTZ camera will boost the quality of your streaming at home, but they're also a popular choice for web conferences and video production.
The main downside of PTZ cameras is that they cost more than standard webcams, and as many of them don't have built-in microphones, you would also need to factor in the cost of audio support.
