Microsoft Modern Webcam review: tiny HD webcam comes up just short

Small and handy, the Microsoft Modern Webcam can't quite beat the sub-£100 webcam competition.

A black Microsoft Modern Webcam sitting on a desk
(Image: © Future / Erlingur Einarsson)

Our Verdict

The Microsoft Modern Webcam is light, small and very portable. With a Microsoft Teams certification, it's a natural fit for those who mostly use that video-conferencing platform, but a flimsy build, pedestrian microphone and lack of a Windows Hello function put it behind many of its similarly priced competitors.

For

  • Affordable
  • Very compact
  • HD video

Against

  • Flimsy fit on some screens
  • Outdone by some similarly priced competitors
  • No Windows Hello

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Microsoft Modern Webcam review: Key specs

Dimensions: 50.53 x 36.05 x 74.58 mm
Weight: 88.3g (0.21 lbs)
Exterior:
Front window: glass, polished black
Tripod mount: copper, glossy silver
Other components: plastic/TPE/rubber, matte black
Video details: Up to 1080p 30fps video output, HDR, Auto exposure, Auto white balance, Auto anti-flicker, Expansive 78° field of view, Certified for Microsoft Teams details
DOF: 0.4-1.5m
USB cord length: 59.1” (1.5 m)
Inputs: USB-A connection
Sensors: 1920 x 1080, 30fps
Pixel size: 1.4um x 1.4um
Compatibility: Windows 11 Home/Pro, Windows 10, Mac OS 11.0/10.15, Windows 8.1/8
Microphone Codec: PCM, 16bit, 16KHz sampling Buttons/controls: Integrated privacy shutter to turn video stream on/off

The Microsoft Modern Webcam is the first webcam Microsoft has brought out in quite a few years, and clearly it's less of a headline-grabbing flagship model than a tentative testing of the waters. Offering 1080p HD video with a mic and a small range of image-enhancement features, it's a new addition to the Microsoft webcam family, boasting an ultra-slim design and modern features. 

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The Verdict
7.4

out of 10

Microsoft Modern Webcam

The Microsoft Modern Webcam is light, small and very portable. With a Microsoft Teams certification, it's a natural fit for those who mostly use that video-conferencing platform, but a flimsy build, pedestrian microphone and lack of a Windows Hello function put it behind many of its similarly priced competitors.

Erlingur Einarsson
Tech Reviews Editor

Erlingur is the Tech Reviews Editor on Creative Bloq. Having worked on magazines devoted to Photoshop, films, history, and science for over 15 years, as well as working on Digital Camera World and Top Ten Reviews in more recent times, Erlingur has developed a passion for finding tech that helps people do their job, whatever it may be. He loves putting things to the test and seeing if they're all hyped up to be, to make sure people are getting what they're promised. Still can't get his wifi-only printer to connect to his computer. 

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