Elgato's new 4K webcam brings DLSR-style camera features like lens filters

Elgato has just announced the Elgato Facecam 4K, a new webcam that is the first in the world to allow lens filters to be fitted to its front. A new "pro-grade" Sony STARVIS 2 sensor also brings top-tier image quality to a camera that's significantly smaller than the company's previous 4K60 flagship camera.

That previous Elgato flagship is the Facecam Pro that, as our Elgato Facecam Pro review shows, is a top choice if you're looking for a webcam that can deliver 4K images at 60fps. With that camera earning a spot on our best webcam list due to its stellar image quality, we'd expect the new Facecam 4K to offer even better results.

The big new feature of this camera, though, is its support for 49mm lens filters. Filters are a staple in professional photography, serving functions like blocking UV light (once essential for film), adding gradient darkening to prevent overexposed skies, or polarizing light to reduce reflections (as shown below).

There are also various cinematic effect filters, like diffusion or starburst, that can be used. That's demonstrated in the image below, where a starburst filter is applied to the right side.

The filters just screw onto the front of the camera via a standard filter thread, so if you've got a set of 49mm filters already, you'll be able to use these with your Facecam 4K from day one.

Elsewhere, this new Elgato Facecam 4K model uses a series of components that the company is calling "studio grade." These include its large 1/1.8-inch Sony Starvis 2 sensor for what should be excellent low light performance, despite its lens aperture being fixed at only f/4.0.

Also fixed is the focus of the lens. Its 90° field of view can provide a sharp image of objects within a range of 30-120cm (11.8-47.2 inches) at 4K and 25cm (9.8-inch) - ∞ at 1080p. Like previous Facecams, the Facecam 4K doesn't have a microphone and is instead meant to be paired with a standalone microphone. You can read our best gaming microphone guide to find some top recommendations to partner with this webcam.

Thanks to Elgato's Camera Hub software, you can customize your camera settings to achieve a "DLSR-like" image, even without lens filters. The app includes manual ISO and shutter speed options, allowing you to set the exposure like you would with a professional camera.

While 4K video at 60fps is the gold standard offered here, you can dial it down to a lower resolution via software, when needed. The app also provides Look Up Tables to help you to adjust the colors and tones in your camera image, with Elgato's marketplace offering a number of presets you can use immediately.

The Elgato Facecam 4K is available to purchase today from the Elgato website and other retailers. To celebrate the new launch, Elgato is allowing customers who buy the Facecam 4K directly through its store to choose between a free CPL polarizer lens filter, which will help to reduce the reflection from glasses, or a free privacy cap.

The Elgato Facecam 4K will cost you $199.99, which is still $100 less than the Facecam Pro cost on launch day, and you can grab it for yourself using this link here.

For more ways to make the most of your streaming set, our best gaming headset guide has a wealth of options to help you hear and sound better than ever.

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