The Elgato Facecam 4K is a compact USB-C webcam built around a 1/1.8" Sony STARVIS 2 sensor, delivering uncompressed UHD 4K video at up to 60 fps with HDR support. Designed without a built-in microphone to prioritise image quality, it offers DSLR-style manual control, LUT support and lens filter compatibility, making it a serious option for professional streaming and presentations.
4K60 Without Compression
The Facecam 4K outputs uncompressed UHD video at up to 60 fps over USB-C 3.2 Gen 1. That means you retain detail, colour information and motion clarity without the artefacts you often see in heavily compressed webcams. When working in live production, streaming or recorded presentations, the difference shows immediately in skin tones and fine textures.
HDR at 4K 30 fps helps in high-contrast setups, keeping highlights under control while retaining shadow detail. It’s particularly useful when you’re working near windows or mixed lighting.
Sony STARVIS 2 Sensor and Prime Lens
At the centre is a 1/1.8" Sony STARVIS 2 CMOS sensor with 8MP resolution. The larger sensor size improves low-light performance compared to typical webcams, helping you maintain clean output in less controlled environments.
The fixed Elgato Prime Lens provides a 90° field of view, wide enough for group framing or showing part of your workspace without obvious distortion. Focus is automatic within a range of up to 1.2m, keeping you sharp while seated at a desk.
DSLR-Style Control in a Webcam
Through the Elgato Camera Hub app for Windows and macOS, you can manually adjust ISO and shutter speed rather than relying entirely on automatic exposure. This gives you consistent output under studio lights and prevents brightness shifts mid-stream.
Virtual PTZ controls allow digital pan and tilt adjustments while maintaining sharpness at 4K resolution. You can reframe for close-ups without physically moving the camera.
The software also supports LUTs for colour grading, advanced noise reduction and AI face tracking. For users with compatible NVIDIA RTX GPUs, background blur can be added to simulate shallow depth of field.
Lens Filter Compatibility
The Facecam 4K accepts standard 49mm screw-in filters. You can attach a circular polariser to reduce reflections, a Black Mist filter to soften highlights, or creative filters like starburst effects. It’s a rare feature in a webcam and gives you more control over the look without relying entirely on software effects.
Clean Desk Integration
The camera mounts directly to a monitor using the included clip or to a tripod via the integrated 1/4" thread. The 2m USB-C cable provides flexibility for routing around a desk setup. At 104 × 54 × 52 mm and weighing 115g, it remains compact despite its higher-end sensor and glass optics. A removable privacy shutter provides physical assurance when the camera is not in use.
What’s in the box?
- 1 × Elgato Facecam 4K Studio Webcam
- 1 × Monitor Mount
- 1 × USB-C 3.0 Cable (200 cm)
FAQs
Does the Facecam 4K include a built-in microphone?
No. Elgato removed the microphone to focus resources on image quality. It’s intended to be paired with a dedicated USB or XLR microphone for higher-quality audio.
What resolution and frame rates does the Elgato Facecam 4K support?
The Facecam supports UHD 4K at up to 60 fps. HDR recording is available at 4K 30 fps. All output runs over USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 with up to 5 Gb/s bandwidth.
Can I mount filters on the lens?
Yes. The lens accepts 49mm screw-in filters. This addition allows you to use optical filters such as CPL or diffusion filters to adjust reflections and highlight rendering.
Is this camera compatible with both Windows and Mac?
Yes. The Elgato Facecam 4K works with Windows 10 64-bit or later and macOS 13 or later. The Elgato Camera Hub software is available for both platforms.
Can it be tripod-mounted?
Yes. In addition to the included monitor mount, it features a standard 1/4" threaded socket for tripod or arm mounting.
