Nowadays everyone needs a webcam, be it for business meetings or for remote contacts via video call. However, if you’re like most, use the built-in camera on your laptop or a piece of junk from years ago. However, if you have a nice camera from a big brand, you can easily set it up as a standalone webcam and take pictures that your friends and colleagues will envy.
Our guide to setting up a professional-looking home webcam solution with lighting, audio, and all other fixins can be found here, unless you’re using a capture card (which is a completely different guide) to connect your DSLR or mirrorless camera up to your computer is not as easy as it should be.
Surprisingly, you can’t just take a camera released in recent years and connect it to your computer and expect it to work. So far only Canon, Fujifilm and Panasonic offer at least one desktop operating system free webcam functions. To the Nikon, Sony and Olympus you may have to pay or watermark.
Here are the easiest ways to get any camera brand up and running. (Spoiler warning: For Macs, it’s mostly cascable. I’ll mention this a few more times, as people are probably just scrolling past to their brand.)
Canon: EOS webcam utility
The compatibility is pretty good and works with all camera housings of the last three to four years: the Rebel T6-T7i, T100, SL2, SL3, 5D Mk IV, 5DS, 5DS R, 6D Mk II, 7D Mk II, 77D 80D, 90D , 1D X Mark II and Mark III, M6 Mk II, M50, M200, R, RP, PowerShot G5X Mk II, G7X Mk III and SX70 HS. Download the software here.
If you’re having trouble, check the third-party apps for other brands below and see if you’re lucky.
Fujifilm: X webcam
Fujifilm’s solution is simple, but somewhat limited. The popular X100 series is not supported, and Macs are also left in the dark. However, if you own one of the company’s newer interchangeable lens bodies and a Windows 10 computer, you’re in the right place. Just install your camera and connect it with a normal USB cable.
Compatibility includes X-T2, X-T3, X-T4, X-Pro2, X-Pro3, X-H1, GFX100, GFX 50R and GFX 50S. If you do the medium format setup properly, your eyes will be sharp, but not your ears. Download the software here.
This guy has really done Mac users a favor.
For Macs Cascable is a useful Mac software that acts as a bridge to your camera for a variety of purposes, and the author has just added webcam functionality. It has far compatibility for wired and wireless connections and offers a broader functionality than Fuji’s own software, but is not free. But the current price of $ 30 is probably below the price you would pay if you chose a nice webcam instead.
If you’re sure to mess around on command lines, this tutorial will show you how to get a Fuji camera up and running on Macs with a bit of messing around and other third-party software.
Panasonic: Lumix Tether
That’s it. That is the picture that they provided.
Panasonic just made the webcam-enabled version of hers Lumix Tether Windows app available, and you can tell by the lack of documentation that it’s a nice barebone solution. However, the price is right. It works with that GH5, G9, GH5S, S1, S1R and S1H. The company has also published a helpful tutorial from start to finish on how to get started with streaming software like OBS:
Cascable works well with a variety of Panasonic cameras, far more than the official app, even with some superzooms that could make playing games really fun in this context.
Sony
There is no official software to turn your Sony cameras into webcams. Therefore, we need to access third-party options directly. For Windows users Ecamm Live is probably the best choice, but has limited Sony compatibility and only supports the latest cases. It costs $ 12 a month, but there’s a free trial if you want to try it out first.
Cascable on the Mac is the best choice again, since cameras like the NEX series and the RX100 III have been supported for several generations.
Olympus
It’s the same with Olympus. Under Windows, Ecamm Live is compatible with the latest housings – the E-M1 II, III and X as well as the E-M5 Original and Mk II. Unfortunately, the PEN series does not continue.
On Mac, Cascable supports many other Oly cases, including stylus cameras and the retro-style PEN F, that are unlikely to be used for such a modern purpose.
Nikon
Surprisingly, Nikon recently had one rather helpful page When streaming with its cameras, no software is created itself, which refers the reader to a variety of third-party programs.
Cascable still seems to be the easiest way to get your Nikon up and running with a Mac and Ecamm Live for Windows – but for Nikons. SparkoCam is also a common recommendation.
Alerts to the webcam curious
These methods may be simple, but they are not entirely without problems.
A possible problem is heat. These cameras are primarily designed to capture still images and short video clips. Prolonged full-time operation can cause the camera to get too hot to work and shut down. A camera shouldn’t be seriously damaged, but it’s something you should be aware of. The best way to avoid this is to use a dummy battery with a power supply. These are fairly easy to find and reduce overheating.
Audio may also not be as beautiful as the picture. An external microphone is almost always used for people who do serious video work, and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t. Given that a solid microphone is available for less than $ 50 and should significantly upgrade your device’s built-in microphone, there’s no reason not to take the plunge.
You may also want to search for the best settings for the camera in some forums, from making sure it doesn’t turn off after a few minutes to choosing the exposure. For example, since you don’t create still images, you don’t have to worry about sharpness so you can shoot wide-open. But then you have to make sure that the autofocus works quickly and accurately, otherwise you will get lost in the bokeh. Take a look around, try out a few different setups, and decide what works best in your situation.
When you’re ready to take the next step, read our more detailed guide on setting the scene.