Over the years, Elgato has built a solid reputation for its game capture devices and Stream Deck control pads. But since being acquired by Corsair, the brand has expanded its roster to meet the growing needs of content creators. The Elgato Facecam webcam, released in 2021, is one of the premium gear designed for upgrading a production setup.
In contrast, Logitech is known for its extensive lineup of computer peripherals, including webcams. From budget models to professional units, the Swiss multinational covers every use case. The Logitech StreamCam, available since 2020, saw the company’s webcam range pay attention to streamers and content creators.
Both webcams boast HD live streaming and come packed with features and customizable settings. Which one should you buy for streaming games or making content?
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Elgato Facecam vs Logitech StreamCam Comparison Chart
Design
The Elgato Facecam is a lightweight webcam and extends far, thanks to its long cable. The Logitech StreamCam, on the other hand, offers excellent range of motion.
For a hefty price tag, the Elgato Facecam is made from plastic. Its cuboid form also feels top-heavy, although the unit itself is lightweight. The Facecam also sports a matte-black finish and an overall discreet, if not, generic aesthetic.
While you can clamp the webcam to your monitor, it does come with the industry-standard 1/4-inch thread for tripods. If you need more flexibility, the device is best paired with Elgato’s Multi Mount modular rigging system. Moreover, the Facecam includes a 78.7-inch cable for convenience and an optional privacy cap.
However, when it comes to flexibility, the Logitech StreamCam has the edge. One of the webcam’s appeals is its excellent range of motion. The unit can be mounted in both portrait and landscape mode. It rotates in different directions and tilts up and down. While the StreamCam is compact, it’s also bulkier, weighing twice the Elgato Facecam. As such, it’s better to mount the unit on a tripod, especially if your monitor is on the slim side.
The StreamCam’s cable is only 60 inches long, too, a foot shorter than Elgato’s webcam. But if you’re all about aesthetics, however, the StreamCam’s weave fabric finish is a standout.
Camera and Microphone
Elgato’s FaceCam boasts a Sony sensor, although the webcam itself lacks an internal microphone, something the Logitech StreamCam has.
The Elgato Facecam boasts an all-glass Elgato Prime Lens at f/2.4 with an anti-reflective coating and an infrared filter. But what sets it apart is arguably the Sony STARVIS CMOS sensor. Sony’s sensors have always been popular among filmmakers, so Elgato making use of it points to an emphasis on quality.
Optimized for indoor use, the sensor is designed for low-light conditions while delivering minimal noise. As for quality, the Elgato Facecam offers a max video resolution of 1080p/60fps. Other supported resolutions are available, down to 540p/30fps.
Logitech’s StreamCam can also record at 1080p/60fps. Since it can be mounted in a portrait orientation, you also get full HD vertical videos. This should come in handy as vertical videos become popular for reels, stories, and videos. You can also dial down the resolution, with StreamCam offering more formats.
The Elgato Facecam’s 82º FOV isn’t the widest. It’s not adjustable either. But it does an excellent job of keeping you centered without resorting to the fish-eye effect. In contrast, the Logitech StreamCam is only at 78º, although the webcam’s range of motion makes finding angles easier.
As for audio, Elgato ditches the internal microphone on the Facecam. Elgato believes content creators are likely using a separate mic. Logitech, on the other hand, equips the StreamCam with a two-mic setup for stereo and mono.
Performance
The Elgato Facecam performs much better than the Logitech StreamCam, especially in tricky lighting situations.
Elgato’s Facecam doesn’t have auto-focus. While it sounds counterintuitive, this approach works in the webcam’s favor. With an optimized fixed focus system, the Facecam can quickly focus on a subject with minimal focus breathing. The feature also works even if the person in the frame is wearing glasses. Overall, you get sharp, smooth, and controlled footage.
The STARVIS sensor the Facecam uses was once limited to security cameras. On Elgato’s webcam, the tech delivers one of the best low-light performances in the market. For streamers who typically shoot in low-light settings, the Elgato Facecam will please. The sensor also sends the image in an uncompressed format, allowing the camera to capture finer details.
Logitech’s StreamCam may not have Sony’s sensor, but it still delivers the goods. The webcam is capable of recording smooth and flicker-free videos. Image quality is also vibrant. Unlike the Elgato Facecam, Logitech’s StreamCam has auto-focus. The feature even boasts an AI-powered face-tracking that’s consistent, albeit slower at locking on an image.
These pros of the StreamCam take a slight hit in less-than-ideal conditions. In dark gaming setups, the Logitech webcam struggles in exposure, especially at max video resolution. Plus, the 78º degree FOV isn’t wide enough for today’s streaming context. If there is any bonus, it’s that the dual-mic setup of the webcam is above average.
Click here for our Elgato Facecam and Logitech BRIO review.
Other Features
Elgato’s Camera Hub gives more professional-level controls over the Facecam, while the Logitech Capture aims to make recording videos with the StreamCam hassle-free.
Elgato’s Facecam isn’t just its hardware. The accompanying Elgato Camera Hub maximizes what you can do with the device. With the Hub, you can fine-tune exposure, adjust color temperature, and sharpen the image. You can also control zoom, change the processing, and choose the video format. The program also offers DSLR-like controls for ISO and shutter speed.
Whereas other webcams crank up the exposure in low light, Elgato’s software settings help achieve a better picture quality with less noise. You don’t have to worry about tweaks to the settings when switching devices. The Facecam has flash memory that saves your settings on the webcam itself.
The StreamCam, on the other hand, comes with Logitech Capture. While it lacks manual settings for ISO and DSLR, you get several other customizations. For instance, you have slider settings for brightness, contrast, and white balance. You can also adjust the auto-focus and toggle the anti-flicker feature for smoother videos.
Logitech Capture also offers studio-style controls. From the ability to record from multiple devices to adding live text overlays, it’s clear the software is broadcast-ready.
Verdict
If you have existing streaming or recording gear, the Elgato Facecam is a nice addition. For amateur content creators, the Logitech StreamCam is an ideal entry-level webcam.
Although they are marketed as HD webcams for streaming, the Elgato Facecam and Logitech StreamCam have different capabilities. Elgato’s webcam works best within its ecosystem, one already designed for content creators, particularly video game streamers.
This can be seen in its emphasis on low-light performance, pro controls, and lack of an internal microphone. Moreover, the Facecam enjoys flash memory settings and comes in a lightweight form factor.
Meanwhile, those new to content creation will have a shorter learning curve with the Logitech StreamCam. In terms of HD quality, it isn’t on par with the Elgato Facecam. However, it does offer versatile recording options and is ready out-of-the-box with major streaming platforms.
The Logitech Capture software also makes broadcasting a breeze, while the internal microphone is a big plus while you’re saving for a standalone mic.
FAQs
The Elgato Facecam comes with a two-year warranty.
Logitech’s StreamCam is available in two colors — Graphite and White.
Yes. The Logitech StreamCam includes a tripod mount and monitor mount.
Yes. Elgato’s Facecam is compatible with macOS 11.0, whether Intel or Apple CPU.