Elgato's new Facecam 4K webcam lets you swap real lens filters

Elgato has just launched its new Facecam 4K webcam, matching its name with true 4K at 60 fps. The camera also brings a unique feature to the webcam market with its support for optional, swappable lens filters. This allows you to use any standard 49mm lens filter to apply creative effects, such as diffusion for a softer look or a circular polarizing (CPL) filter to reduce glare from glasses.

The company is offering a free CPL filter with Facecam 4K purchases through its own store, or a privacy cap designed to attach like one from a DSLR camera. You are also free to use third-party macro, black mist, and star filters to completely change the visual style of your 4K video.

The camera's imaging system is built on Sony’s Starvis 2 CMOS sensor and an Elgato prime lens, which features a fixed focus and an f/4.0 aperture. While this setup provides sharp video, the wider f/2.0 aperture on the more expensive Facecam Pro will perform better in low-light environments. Like the Pro model, you can record at a fluid 4K at 60fps or opt for 4K at 30fps with HDR activated for better color and contrast. The unit connects via USB-C, includes a standard 1/4-inch thread for mounting, and has a weight of 112 grams without its monitor mount and cable.

You can manage the camera's output with Elgato’s Camera Hub software, which provides manual controls for ISO, exposure, and shutter speed settings. The software also allows you to digitally pan, tilt, and zoom to get the perfect framing for your webcam feed. A practical feature is the ability to save your settings directly to the camera's onboard memory, allowing you to maintain your look without needing to keep the software running. For those with an Nvidia RTX graphics card, you can enable an enhanced background blur that simulates a DSLR-like depth-of-field effect.

The new webcam is also designed to work with Elgato’s Prompter hardware, requiring a replacement backplate that will be sold separately on Elgato's web store. Reinforcing this transition, Elgato is now including the Facecam 4K backplate with new Prompter purchases, replacing the one previously supplied for the Facecam Pro.

Additionally, the webcam is compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2, provided you update its firmware to version 2.32 or a later release. The Facecam 4K is available for $199.99 in the US, £179.99 in the UK, and €199.99 in Europe.