For a lot of people, a cheap webcam can do the job, especially if all they’ll ever need their webcam for is video conferencing. However, if you are a budding content creator or streamer, you’ll want a higher quality webcam for better image quality. In this space, the Razer Kiyo Pro and the Elgato Facecam are in fierce competition as to which one is the best. Both of them have a max resolution of 1080p and can record at 60fps, but that’s where their similarities end.
So, which of these two webcams should you buy? Below is our Elgato Facecam and Razer Kiyo Pro review and comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
Razer Kiyo Pro vs Elgato Facecam Comparison Chart
Design
The Razer Kiyo Pro streaming webcam is slightly bigger and almost double the weight of the Elgato Facecam.
It’s easy to tell which is which as these two webcams have unique designs. The Razer Kiyo Pro has that spherical shape that its predecessor—the Razer Kiyo—has. On the other hand, the Elgato Facecam has a cube form factor with rounded corners and edges that give it a streamlined look. Looks-wise, they both have designs that call attention to themselves, but as to which is better looking, that’s for you to decide.
When it comes to build quality, both are made of plastic, but that doesn’t mean that they are fragile and easy to break. In fact, these webcams have sturdy builds that can survive accidental drops. That said, the Razer Kiyo Pro feels more like a premium product due to its heft. It weighs 197 grams, which is almost double that of the Elgato Facecam (103 grams).
You can mount both of these webcams on top of your monitor or on a tripod. They come with threaded adapters for mounting. As for adjustability, both can be rotated and tilted to get the best angle. However, the Elgato Facecam is easier to adjust since it comes with a longer USB-C cable (82 inches). The included cable with the Razer Kiyo Pro is on the short side (60 inches), so it can be a pain to position it if your computer is a bit far.
Features
The Razer Kiyo Pro has more features than the Elgato Facecam.
In terms of number of features, the Razer Kiyo Pro has the Elgato Facecam beat due to having more. The Razer Kiyo Pro boasts features such as autofocus, adjustable field of view, a built-in microphone and HDR support. The most useful of these is the built-in microphone, especially if you don’t have a dedicated desk microphone. The quality is not the best, but it will do in a pinch. It’s still recommended that you get a dedicated microphone if you want consistently good audio to go with your streams and recordings.
In comparison, the Elgato Facecam is a bit light on features as it doesn’t have any of those mentioned above. The Camera Hub, which is the companion software of the Elgato Facecam, also offers fewer customization options than Razer’s Synapse software. It has fixed focus and an 82-degree field of view, but that’s about it. It doesn’t have a built-in mic and it doesn’t have HDR support. It’s a basic 1080p/60fps webcam.
Performance
The Razer Kiyo Pro excels in low-light conditions and it has more color accurate images, but the Elgato Facecam is easier to set up and can produce sharper images.
Setting up both the Razer Kiyo Pro and Elgato Facecam is easy as they are plug n’ play. You just plug them to an open USB port and they will be recognized by your PC. Of course, you’ll need to download their respective software if you want to make adjustments and if you want to take advantage of their features. They’re both easy to set up, but we found the Elgato Facecam to have less hitches here as it can be plugged directly to your computer or a USB hub without issues. The Razer Kiyo Pro, on the other hand, won’t play nice with a USB hub, but this may be a case-to-case basis, and you might have a better experience than us.
When it comes to picture quality, the Razer Kiyo Pro produces a more color accurate image and it performs excellently in low-light environments due to to its wider dynamic range. It shows a lot of details in darker and highlighted areas. Meanwhile, the Elgato Facecam outputs a sharper image but with less color accuracy. Also, it doesn’t do as well as the Razer Kiyo Pro in low-light environments due to its narrower dynamic range.
While the Razer Kiyo Pro boasts an autofocus feature, it’s not really that great. It’s serviceable, but it isn’t fast, and it can even be a detriment due to how much it seeks and pulses. It’s still nice to have if you need to shift focus occasionally, but it shouldn’t be a factor if you are deciding between the Kiyo Pro and the Elgato Facecam. The Elgato Facecam is a fixed focus webcam.
Verdict
The Razer Kiyo Pro has more features and it slightly edges out the Elgato Facecam in picture quality, but it’s also more expensive.
Razer Kiyo Pro
More features and better image quality
Elgato Facecam
Easier to set up
Both of these webcams are a step up over cheaper 720p webcams, but if we had to choose which one is better, then it’s the Razer Kiyo Pro. It comes with more features, it offers better image quality and it outperforms the Elgato Facecam in low-light situations. It also has a built-in mic, which is nice to have if you don’t want to spend extra on a dedicated microphone. The Razer Synapse software also offers more customization options than Elgato’s Camera Hub.
The Elgato Facecam is not terrible, it’s a good alternative if you don’t need the extra features of the Razer Kiyo Pro. While the Razer Kiyo Pro produces a better overall image, the difference is really not that big, and the Elgato Facecam certainly competes with it in this area. The Elgato Facecam is cheaper, and it’s easier to set up as well.
FAQs
The Razer Kiyo Pro is an upgrade over the Kiyo in almost every area. It has better 1080p framerate, more FOV options, it supports HDR and it comes with a better sensor.
You can use third-party software with the Elgato Facecam to remove or blur the background.
You don’t need the software (Synapse) as the Razer Kiyo Pro is plug and play, but the software allows you customize and adjust the settings of various features of the webcam.
No, it has a fixed focus lens.