Webcams are a hot commodity these days, and if your laptop’s built-in camera doesn’t do you any favors, Razer’s new Kiyo Pro promises to make you look good even in poor lighting.
The $ 200 Kiyo Pro targets popular premium webcams, such as Logitech’s Brio and SteamCam, among others, but also has some major improvements from Razer’s older webcam.
The biggest change is that, unlike the standard What about $ 100, Kiyo Pro does not have a built-in ringer light. Instead, Razer has upgraded Kiyo Pro with a 1 / 2.8-inch full HD CMOS backlit Sony Starvis sensor, which has been modified to provide improved image quality even in harsh conditions such as low light. or the backlit background. The ultimate goal of the Kiyo Pro is to provide solid image quality without the need for additional lighting.
Kiyo Pro can capture videos up to 1080p / 60 fps or 1080p / 30fps with HDR for improved color and exposure. The webcam also offers three fields of view: 80 degrees, 90 degrees, or 103 degrees. And for audio, Kiyo Pro also comes with a 16-bit stereo microphone with an omnidirectional polar pattern, which looks good for general use, but is not intended to replace a high-quality external microphone.
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Although I have not yet had the chance to fully test Kiyo Pro, I must say that I like its design. It’s simple and surprisingly understated in a way that should work for both gamers and those who work from home, and comes with a removable stand that can be used to support Kiyo Pro on a desk or on the back of a monitor. . I also appreciate that Razer has included two tripod mounts for added flexibility: one on the bottom of the camera itself and one on the bottom of the removable stand.
Razer even throws away a plastic lens cap, which is nice, but I have to admit, it seems a bit like a later thought. Unlike privacy shutters, which are becoming more common on new laptops, the Kiyo Pro cover is closer to what you’d get on a DSLR or a mirrorless camera, and when you take it out, it’s really nowhere to store it, so it ends up being an extra mess on the desk. I wish Razer had made the cover so that it would turn up or behind the camera when not in use.
The Kiyo video seemed to be slightly clearer and more colorful in my early tests than the Logitech Brio I used in the last year. Razer said it specifically designed the Kiyo Pro to handle multiple gamer-style environments, including RGB lighting configurations, but we still haven’t been able to compare quality in a number of different lighting conditions.
Logitech still dominates when it comes to state-of-the-art webcams, but it’s good to see a competitive alternative from Razer. Many jobs are expected to permanently switch to part-time post-pandemic remote work, so it’s probably time for a lot of people to start considering upgrading from the panic gadgets they bought. last year.
The Razer Kiyo Pro is available online today directly from the Razer for $ 200, with additional availability from third-party retailers shortly before the end of Q1.