Sony revealed the new Imaging Edge Webcam utility for Windows 10 users, which enables Sony Cameras to be used as normal Webcams on PC, via direct USB connection. This is a feature that we’ve seen from some other manufacturers, and Sony finally caught up.
But what does this mean for the average user, and how well does it perform?
Supported Cameras
E-Mount Cameras:
- A7ii, A7iii, A7Rii, A7Riii, A7Riv, A7S, A7Sii, A7Siii, A9, A9ii
- A5100, A6100, A6300, A6400, A6500, A6600
A-Mount Cameras:
- 77ii, 99ii, 68
Digital Still Cameras (DSC-) & Vlog Cameras:
- HX95, HX99
- RX0, RX0ii, RX100iv, RX100v, RX100vA, RX100vi, RX100vii, RX10ii, RX10iii, RX10iv, RX1Rii, WX700, WX800, ZV-1
Where is the A6000 support?
Sony ILCE-6000 is likely the most used Sony APS-C on the market. However, it’s not present on the list. It was released all the way back in February 2014, so there must be some technical limitation. The oldest supported camera is the A5100, another very popular choice for streaming and content creation.
Do I still need a capture card for my Sony Camera?
If you’re going for best quality, your best option is still a dedicated capture card. You don’t have to spend $200 or more. There is a wide selection of cheap capture cards available that won’t break your budget. If you want maximum quality (4k video), then I’d recommend going for the classic Elgato 4k Cam Link.
The Verdict
Very low FPS (around 14), coupled with rather poor 1024×576 resolution, will not suffice for videos or streaming. Where Imaging Edge Webcam could do a decent job is in Zoom and other video call services, in which FPS is fluctuating anyway.
Camera manufacturers have reached a certain limit when it comes to their USB webcam solutions, and we’re yet to see cameras that can send enough bandwidth through their USB port (in the proper format too!) to make capture cards a thing of the past
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