Comparing Fujifilm X Webcam App and Elgato Cam Link 4K
Ever thought about using your digital camera as a webcam? Surprisingly, and until recently, this was not something you could do without buying additional hardware to use with your camera.
Fujifilm recently released an app for Windows and OSX that allows one to use their Fujifilm camera as a webcam. Check Fujifilm’s site for a list of supported cameras. As of writing this article, the version of the app that’s available to download is 1.0
The app being new, there as some features that are lacking when comparing with the Elgato setup. I tried both setups with my X-T2 and here are some findings.
Fujifilm X Webcam
- Plus: Encoding is done in camera hardware, very low CPU / GPU usage.
- Plus: Free. Available for Windows and OSX.
- Minus: Focus and exposure must be set before you start the webcam session. The EV compensation dial and manual focus on the lens will not work either.
- Minus: No ability to set framerate or resolution. This should not be an issue for most users, especially for things like web conferencing.
- Minus: No audio capture. This may be an issue for those who rely on their webcams for audio. I personally recommend a dedicated microphone.
- Hint: I set the focus before I start the webcam session. You can alternatively turn on PRE AF feature which works well to track and focus on your face. I find the AF noisy with my lens so I keep PRE AF off.
Elgato Cam Link 4K
- Plus: Full camera control when shooting. Change focus, exposure, etc.
- Plus: You can set the HDMI output resolution and framerate.
- Plus: Can be used with numerous camera models.
- Minus: Encoding is done in software, although if you have a recent Intel CPU (I tried with Core i3–8100) the unit will leverage Intel QuickSync or Nvidia NVEC. CPU usage will be minimal, at least when using 1080p resolution or below.
- Note: The unit comes with an added cost. I cannot put it as a minus because in my opinion it is appropriately priced.
Tips
- Turn off face recognition as it will constantly change the exposure, ever so slightly, and will look annoying.
- Turn OFF power save mode so that your camera does not shut off during the webcam session.
- You will not be able to tell if the camera is on or of when it’s facing you. You can order a flip screen mirror to mitigate the issue.
In Conclusion
If you have a supported Fujifim camera, try the free software first. I find that it will satisfy most users. If you are creating web content (YouTube channel, Twitch, etc) chances are you may want something a bit more feature-rich than the Fujifilm X Webcam software.
