What Camera do you Use to Stream?

When setting up a live stream there are innumerable variables that need to be considered. Am I exceeding my bandwidth? Is my lighting setup dialed in? Does my audience even know who I am?! All valid questions, of course, but when it comes to a successful stream there is one aspect more important than all others. (Well, audio is important too, but we will save that for another time…)

The camera. It is the Holy Grail of live streaming.

Exceeding your bandwidth suddenly seems less important if your face is grainy, and who cares if your lighting setup is of professional quality if the camera’s light meter can’t tell the difference between the surface of the sun and a night under the stars? Once you have chosen the ultimate camera for your setup, everything else should be much easier. To help you through this process, we have put together a guide to simplifying the selection headache. Whether you are just starting out with a small budget, or your funds are limitless and your computing power monstrous, the search for perfect camera starts here

These are only potential options, and not necessarily the best. If you have a strong opinion, negative or positive, let us know in the comments!

HD USB Webcams
USB Webcams are most likely the easiest way to go. They are cheap, light, powerful, simple and easy to use. With HD capabilities and the direct to computer USB plug, setting up a broadcast won’t get any easier. It even harnesses the computer’s power so you never have to charge any batteries!

At the same time, the limitations are apparent. A lack of storage makes it impossible to record locally, and although most come with microphones, to get professional sound an external mic must be introduced through a separate channel. Often no zoom, focus, or lens control of any kind is possible and customizations are near non-existent.

If you are on a low budget, just starting out, or don’t need much more than an ability to capture video, USB webcams are the way to go.

Check out these two great options.

Logitech C930e – $70

Huge, 90° visual field
Frees up PC bandwidth by putting video processing within the camera
Microsoft Lifecam Studio – $80

TrueColor Technology, which means your video remains bright and colorful in virtually all light conditions
Autofocus from four inches to infinity
HDMI Cameras
HDMI Cameras offer a significantly more controllable and higher quality video stream. With hundreds of price points and options to choose from finding the perfect HDMI camera for you can be daunting, but more than likely the perfect match is out there.

While there are a few drawbacks, like the short cable length and connectors that sometimes slip out in the middle of a broadcast(!!!), the benefits of HDMI cameras translate into high quality streams. Check out these two options:

Panasonic HC-VX981 – $800

Affordable and Powerful
Basic and reliable, easy to use HDMI Camera
Video Review
Canon XA111 – $1,300

Professional camera in a compact design
Double SD Card recording for duplicate copies
Keep in mind that HDMI outputs require a capture card or box, which will require some extra spending.

HD-SDI Cameras
HD-SDI cameras are the top of the line. Prices begin around $3,000 and go above $20,000! With price margins of such magnitude it is hard to compare different models. Suffice it to say that even the cheap ones will be well worth the money.

These cameras are what you will find in professional settings with locking cables running over 300 feet without extenders or amplifiers and some of the highest quality, most customizable video streams. These are big, heavy, powerful cameras that are marketed to professionals. Very rarely do you see these cameras in a low budget studio!

If you are in the market for a camera like this, you probably already know what is out there and what works best for you, but here is a recommendation of a great, relatively low cost HD-SDI option:

Canon XA35 – $2,000

Video Review
There is no perfect camera. Similar to all consumer electronics, you need to find what fits your style, and your setup. Spend some time researching and renting cameras to find one that does just what you need it to do. Your stream will be better for it!

What cameras do you use? Let us know in the comments!!