How To Set Up A Camera As A Webcam

Everyone needs a webcam these days, whether for business meetings or the distant socializing accomplished via video calling — but if you're similar nigh, you're using the built-in camera on your laptop or some slice of junk from years ago. Merely if you happen to have a dainty big-brand camera, it'southward possible to gear up information technology up as a standalone webcam and produce imagery that will be the envy of your friends and colleagues, with nada more than than a scrap of software.

Our guide to setting upwards a professional-looking home webcam solution with lighting, sound and all the other fixins is hither, but getting your DSLR or mirrorless photographic camera hooked up to your computer isn't equally simple equally it ought to be.

Now, you lot could spend $100 or and so to get a capture card or dongle that converts your camera's signal to HDMI, and be washed with it. But if you desire to exist up and running a few minutes from at present, here are the software-only solutions for your camera and Bone — if any.

Surprisingly, you tin can't just take a camera released in the last couple years and plug it into your reckoner and look information technology to piece of work. You'll need a special piece of software, a compatible photographic camera body, and in some cases a wish and a prayer to go things rolling.

Here are the easiest means to put each make of camera to work. (Note: This article has been updated numerous times. When information technology was offset written the best option for Macs was in nearly all cases a multi-camera, third-political party piece of software called Cascable, and that'southward yet compatible with a bunch of brands if you desire to minimize fuss.)

Canon: EOS Webcam Utility

Canon released this software but recently and it's notwithstanding in beta, so there may be a few hiccups — simply it supports both Windows and Apple machines and a proficient variety of camera bodies. There's even some extra documentation and tutorials for the app at its microsite.

Compatibility is pretty expert, working with whatever of their camera bodies from the last iii-4 years: the Rebel T6-T7i, T100, SL2, SL3, 5D Mk IV, 5DS, 5DS R, 6D Mk Ii, 7D Mk II, 77D, 80D, 90D, 1D X Mark Two and Mark Three, M6 Mk Ii, M50, M200, R, RP, PowerShot G5X Mk Two, G7X Mk 3 and SX70 HS. Download the software here.

If y'all're having trouble, cheque out the 3rd-party apps listed for other brands below and encounter if you accept more luck.

Fujifilm: X Webcam

Fujifilm's solution is easy, but sadly the popular X100 serial is not supported. But if you accept one of the company'due south more recent interchangeable-lens bodies and a Windows 10 machine, y'all're golden. Just install and plug in your camera with a normal USB cable.

Compatibility for Macs and Windows machines includes the X-T2, X-T3, X-T4, X-Pro2, X-Pro3, 10-H1, GFX100, GFX 50R and GFX 50S. Get that medium format setup going right and your optics volition be in focus but not your ears. Download the software here.

This guy really did Mac users a favor.

(Originally Fuji's software wasn't available on Mac, then nosotros recommended Cascable, and information technology remains an option if you are having trouble with the gratuitous program.)

For Macs, Cascable is a useful bit of Mac software that acts as a bridge to your camera for a variety of purposes, and the writer just added webcam capability. It has broad compatibility for both wired and wireless connections, and provides broader functionality than Fuji'southward ain software, only it isn't gratuitous. Merely the current $xxx price is probably less than yous'd pay if you opted for a prissy webcam instead.

Panasonic: Lumix Tether

That's it. That's the image they provided.

Panasonic just made the webcam-capable version of their Lumix Tether Windows app bachelor, and you can tell from the paucity of the documentation that information technology'due south a pretty blank-bones solution. The price is correct, though. Information technology works with the GH5, G9, GH5S, S1, S1R and S1H. The company also posted a helpful get-go-to-finish tutorial on how to go going with streaming software similar OBS here:

Cascable works well with a variety of Panasonic cameras, far more than the official app, fifty-fifty some superzooms that could be really fun to play with in this context.

Sony

There was naught bachelor at start except a few workarounds, but in August Sony finally released a Windows tool called "Imaging Edge Webcam" that turns pretty much all the most popular Sony camera lines into webcams. All the a7 variations are in that location, RX100s, and so on. And the ZV-1 at present acts natively equally a webcam as long as you have the newest firmware, making any other applications unnecessary.

Sony recently added Mac back up, but Cascable is again an choice, with support reaching back several generations to cameras like the NEX series and RX100 Iii. Ecamm Live also has express Sony compatibility, but simply supports the latest bodies. It's $12 per calendar month, but there's a free trial if you lot want to give it a get first.

Olympus

Epitome Credits: Olympus

Olympus has just released a new OM-D Webcam utility for Windows that should permit you get a few of the nigh popular models working natively as a webcam. It's compatible with the Due east-M1X, Due east-M1 Mk I-3, and the E-M5 Mark Ii.

Update: the Webcam utility is now available for Macs equally well.

On Mac, Cascable has wired support for many more than Oly bodies, including Stylus cameras and the retro-style PEN F, which will probably resent being used for such a modern purpose. Ecamm Live has compatibility with the latest bodies — the East-M1 II, III and 10, and the E-M5 original and Mk II. No go on the PEN series, unfortunately.

Nikon

At offset Nikon had nothing for anyone except how-to pages on running 3rd-party software, simply after a few months they managed to put together a webcam utility that works on both Macs and PCs.

It'south compatible with most recent DSLRs and mirrorless models: Z 7II, Z 7, Z 6II, Z 6, Z 5, Z 50, D6, D5, D850, D810, D780, D750, D500, D7500, D7200, D5600, D5500, D5300 and D3500.

Warnings to the webcam-curious

These methods may exist easy, but they're not completely without issues.

One potential trouble is heat. These cameras were designed primarily for capturing stills and brusk video clips. Running full fourth dimension for extended periods can outcome in the camera getting too hot to role and shutting down. A photographic camera shouldn't impairment itself seriously, but it's something to be aware of. The best way to avert this is using a dummy bombardment with a ability adapter — these are pretty easy to notice, and will mitigate overheating.

Audio besides may not be equally prissy equally the image. For people doing serious video work, an external mic is almost e'er used, and there's no reason you shouldn't practice the same. Because a solid mic tin be had for nether $l and should provide a substantial upgrade to your device'due south congenital-in i, at that place's no reason not to take the plunge.

Y'all may likewise desire to cheque a few forums for the all-time settings to apply for the camera, from making sure it doesn't plow off later on a few minutes to exposure choices. For example, since you're not doing stills, you don't need to worry about sharpness, then you tin shoot broad open. Just so yous'll need to make sure autofocus is working apace and accurately, or you lot'll end upwards lost in the bokeh. Bank check around, effort a few unlike setups, and go with what works all-time in your situation.

And when you're fix to take the adjacent pace, consult our more than thorough guide to setting the scene.