Razer Kiyo vs Logitech StreamCam (2021): Which Webcam Is Better For Streaming?

These days, top streamers are really taking things to the next level. They’re complete with lighting equipment, professional microphones, and even green screens, all so that they can look and sound their best for their audience. While you don’t have to burn tons of money for these things, what you can do is invest in a quality stream cam like the Razer Kiyo or the Logitech StreamCam if you want to get your foot in the door. This way, your streams will be impressive even if you’re just starting out. If you need help deciding between these two models, here’s an in-depth comparison, taking their design, image and sound quality, and software into consideration.

Razer Kiyo vs Logitech StreamCam Comparison Chart

Design

The Logitech StreamCam is light and compact while the Razer Kiyo is less discreet and comes with a ring light.

The Razer Kiyo looks nothing like a webcam but despite its strange appearance, its design is actually very purposeful. So what’s so different about it? For starters, the camera is bordered by a massive LED ring light. Yup, you no longer have to buy a separate light source because this webcam already comes with one. This way, your face will be blemish-free and your eyes will be nice and bright during your streams. The Razer Kiyo is definitely not discreet but the ring light is a feature that most streamers would probably appreciate, especially in low-light conditions.

If you’re worried about the Razer Kiyo being too heavy and that it won’t stay put during your streams, you can rest easy. Its mounting hardware is comparable to that of Logitech which is known to produce the best clips in the business. Its arm is made up of two parts–the first part grips onto the front of your computer and the second one presses against the back of the monitor. But if you’d rather not set it on top of your computer, it comes with a mount for tripods and brackets. The only design criticism we have for the Razer Kiyo is its cable. It’s quite short at 4.9 feet and it’s inconvenient that it isn’t detachable.

The opposite of the Razer Kiyo, the Logitech StreamCam is as compact as they come. It’s a tiny square block that measures in at 2.6 x 2.3 x 1.9 inches, making it the perfect choice if you’re not into clunky webcams. It comes in two colors, namely white and graphite, both of which are designed with a canvas border surrounding the camera lens. As expected from Logitech, it’s equipped with a durable plastic mount that’s able to grip onto any kind of laptop or computer monitor sans any wobbling. Another great thing about its mount is that you can slide the webcam into it either in portrait or landscape mode. Similar to the Razer Kiyo, the Logitech StreamCam’s only design flaw lies in its cable. It’s short at 5 feet, it’s not detachable, and it’s only available in USB Type-C.

Image and Sound Quality

Both the Razer Kiyo and the Logitech StreamCam do well in bright and dim environments.

The Razer Kiyo is equipped with a 4-megapixel, 2688 x 1520 camera that’s able to take sharp and colorful photos and videos. This is especially true if you’re in a well-lit environment. You can expect your skin to be the right shade, the colors around you to be vivid and accurate, and the little details such as strands of your hair and the stitches on your clothes to pop. If, however, you’re in a poorly-lit room, you don’t have to worry because that’s where the Razer Kiyo’s trusty built-in ring light comes in. Just turn it on and voila, it’s as if you’re basking in natural light, thanks to the ring light’s 5600K daylight-balanced color temperature. Of course, you should expect a little bit of graininess to come through, especially in the background.

As for the Logitech StreamCam, don’t let its tiny frame fool you because it, too, delivers quality videos. If you’re not very techy with webcams, you don’t have to sweat it because its auto-adjust features will do all of the work for you. So even if you’re moving around the frame, you can trust the Logitech StreamCam to keep you in focus at all times. Also, it does well in both bright and dim environments sans the help of a ring light. So whether you’re filming right next to a window or down in the basement where your only source of light is your laptop screen, you can expect your footage to be sharp and clear. While the video resolution isn’t 4K, 1080p is definitely good enough, especially if it’s for streaming purposes.

As for audio quality, let’s just say it’s the downfall of both the Razer Kiyo and the Logitech StreamCam. Their built-in microphones aren’t the most impressive and so you probably need the help of a headset if you want to come across loud and clear.

Software

The Razer Kiyo isn’t compatible with any software while the Logitech StreamCam can be used with the Capture software.

While most of Razer’s computer components are compatible with the Synapse software, it’s quite disappointing that the Kiyo isn’t. According to Razer, the Kiyo is a plug-and-play device which means that there’s no need for any kind of adjustment. Basically, you’re good to go the moment you turn it on. Still, it would have been nice to have a software that allows you to control certain things such as the 12 light stages of the ring light.

As for the Logitech StreamCam, it’s compatible with Logitech’s Capture software which allows you to make a bunch of adjustments to your webcam. Of course, there are the standard settings such as photo, video, and volume of the mic. And then there are the more advanced controls such as pixel quality, video aspect ratio, and FPS settings (the Logitech StreamCam has a 24 to 60 range). The software also gives you access to a variety of streaming layouts such as corner box and split screen as well as filters and text overlays. If you happen to have a green screen, you can make yourself blend into the background simply by hitting the Chroma key. In a nutshell, the Capture software makes streaming that much easier for everyone.

Verdict

With the Logitech StreamCam’s hefty price tag, it’s harder to dismiss its flaws.

If you want to add some production value to your streams, the Razer Kiyo is the perfect webcam for you. With its ring light, you don’t have to invest in professional equipment nor do you have to go through the gruelling process of setting up a studio but it will certainly look like you put in the effort. Sure, there are some minor drawbacks like the short, undetachable cable and the lackluster mic. But the Razer Kiyo makes up for all of that by taking sharp and vibrant photos both in well-lit and dim environments.

As for the Logitech StreamCam, it’s definitely not backing down from the fight. Aside from taking solid videos in any kind of lighting environment, it offers great flexibility. Compatible with Logitech’s Capture software, you can make all sorts of adjustments to it that allow you to become the versatile streamer you’ve always wanted to be. This is probably the biggest advantage it has over the Razer Kiyo. That said, you do have to shell out quite a bit more for it. And because of the hefty price tag, it’s a little harder to dismiss its flaws like the subpar audio quality and undetachable cable.

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