Streaming on Twitch is more competitive than ever. That means it’s getting more and more challenging to differentiate yourself from the crowd. The only tool you have in your arsenal, in this case, is yourself and that includes your face. Which is why you need to select the right gear for Twitch streaming.
These days, going without a facecam is practically unheard of when you want to attract an audience and have them stick around. This is why, after your audio, it’s important to consider your camera.
Selecting the right gear for Twitch streaming
What types of cameras are there?
The most obvious option for getting your dashing mug on your stream is a webcam. This product category was designed to give your computer eyes so it can beam your face to other people via the internet. And they work a treat for Twitch streaming, particularly when you’re new to the game.
However, there is another, more advanced option. You can use a regular digital camera, such as a DSLR, to act as your webcam. The main advantage is that you’ll always get a far better picture out of this type of setup. Apart from better picture quality and higher resolutions, cameras have better depth of field and a wider lens angle.
The downside is that making a camera setup like this is on the pricier side compared to webcams. Apart from buying the actual camera, you’ll also need a capture card or dongle to translate the camera’s output to a signal your computer can process.
So, unless you’re swimming in cash, if you’re a new streamer it’s best to go with a webcam at first when selecting the right gear for Twitch streaming.
What to look for in a webcam?
Webcams are a bit of a stalled product category in terms of innovations and it makes sense. They’re far smaller than a regular camera so the internals are roughly the same. That can make buying one quite a simple task as very few have additional features that matter.
As a beginner streamer, the most important thing to consider is resolution. At a minimum, you should be hunting for a 720p webcam from a fairly reputable brand such as Logitech. That being said, 1080p resolution webcams aren’t quite as expensive anymore. The Logitech C920 – considered the gold standard for Twitch streaming – can be had for less than $100 these days.
If you’re up for shelling a bit more than that, getting a webcam that can output 60 frames-per-second is gravy, though unnecessary. You won’t be moving that much and people will be more fixated on your game anyway. But, if you want a bit more professionalism, either the Logitech Brio or the Elgato Facecam will serve you well.
When to switch to a camera?
You can expect a webcam to last you a fairly long time when you’re working on your career as a streamer. The reason is that your facecam will always be smaller than your game so the sharpness and prettiness of it don’t matter as much.
Therefore, stepping up to a better camera setup wildly depends on your circumstances and the income you’re generating from your stream. If you have a decent DSLR or camera laying around already, as long as it outputs to an HDMI you can pick up an Elgato CamLink which will cost you a bit more than a C920.
However, if you don’t have the right gear for Twitch streaming already and you’re not making much money from your stream, then hold fire. As we said, there’s not much to be gained from upping your facecam quality.
What to look for in a camera for streaming?
A proper camera for streaming on Twitch needs to have two key features before even considering it.
First, it needs to have HDMI output. This is non-negotiable as any other connection form will be significantly inferior. Some companies have made software that allows you to plug your camera in via USB to use it as a webcam. The majority of cases have proven that this system is fine for web calls but for streaming, you get all kinds of issues, including audio sync problems. So, an HDMI output is a must.
The second feature is that your camera needs to output a clean picture. What this means is that the output should include elements of your camera’s UI and menus. This sounds like a big “duh” but you’ll find that a lot of cameras don’t offer you this luxury as the HDMI output is primarily used for shooting purposes.
A good example of a camera that has these two features, including 1080p 60 fps output is the Sony a5100. If you can find this camera at a decent price on eBay or an equivalent newer model, you’ll be golden.
At the end of the day, if you don’t select the right gear for Twitch streaming, you won’t see the kinds of improvements you’re looking for. Focus on the essentials and don’t skimp on the things your viewers expect quality from the most if you’re looking for the right gear for Twitch streaming.
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