Elgato Facecam Neo review

The maker of our current pick for the best webcam, the Elgato Facecam MK2, has recently released a brand new Facecam. The Facecam Neo is aimed a little lower in the market than the MK2 and retails for $50 less at $99 USD. This can get cheaper if you bundle it, positioning the Facecam Neo as a hefty budget friendly contender.

As with the rest of the Neo range, the Facecam is packaged in a basic white recycled box. It comes with a matching monitor stand complete with transparent front lip for screens, and has a braided USB cable hardwired in. Pulling the pill shaped camera out of the box, the first two things I noticed were how light it feels, almost like empty plastic, and the mechanical notch for the privacy shutter. 

Sadly, the shutter doesn't feel satisfying to move. It is very easy to use and feels noticeably different when it's in and out of place, so at least is unlikely to be in the wrong position accidentally. Plus, the cover slides in front of the lens, but behind the main housing, which should keep it safer during travel. 

This camera is also completely devoid of a mic, which I think is excellent. Webcam mics are never good and are usually too far away to begin with. By not having a mic, Elgato has saved me a tonne of frustration, be it from my programs choosing it as the default mic, or having just another device listening in. No mic plus a privacy shutter means you can leave this cam plugged in and don't have to worry about yet another digital spy or accidental embarrassment. Plus the LED is large and remains on whenever the camera is active.

Supported resolutions: 1080p60, 1080p30 HDR, 720p60, 720p30, 540p60, 540p30
Optics: Elgato AF Lens
Focus: Fixed (30 — infinite)
Field of view: 77°
Sensor: CMOS sensor 1/2.9-inch
Connection: USB Type-C
Dimensions: 88 x 32 x 40 mm
Price: $100 USD | £100 | $170 AUD

All in all, It's a huge step up from a tab of electrical tape over the lens. 

The Elgato Facecam Neo pumps out 1080p at up to 60 fps making it more than enough for