How to Use Any DSLR As a Webcam
COVID-19 continues. To get many of us to work and communicate from home, most of the major camera manufacturers have released official software that turns your DSLR into a webcam that can be used with Zoom, OBS, Facebook Messenger and other apps.
We’ve already highlighted some examples of this, but with so many companies making applications, we decided to collect all the software currently available in one post. We’ll also look at a few viable third-party alternatives to try if your brand or specific model isn’t proprietary.
Customization
Before we look at software, let’s talk about hardware. Regardless of which camera or app you are using, there are a few things you need to collect before you start:
- Obviously, you will need a camera, a computer, and a suitable application, but you will also need a USB cable to connect the camera to your computer. The exact type will depend on your camera, but the USB cable that came with your device will work best. If you don’t have one, check your user manual or manufacturer’s website to see what you need.
- You should also consider using a tripod or similar mount to stabilize your camera.
- If you are looking for the best possible image, look for how-to guides available to get the best video quality from your particular camera. You will likely also find recommendations for lenses and accessories.
One last thing to watch out for is that many of the apps listed here are still in beta testing. Expect minimal additional features, limited compatibility (we’ll note all major exceptions) and, in some cases, incorrect performance. We also noted if the app has additional requirements, such as installing additional software or updating the camera’s firmware.
With those caveats removed, let’s move on to software.
Sony (Windows 10)
We’ll start with Sony’s new Imaging Edge webcam app that just came out . The software is pretty standard, although it allows some cameras to be charged via USB when connected to a computer, which is an unusual feature. The software only works on Windows 10, so Mac users will need to try a third-party solution instead (we’ll suggest a couple at the end of the list).
Download links and a list of supported cameras are available here , and a step-by-step installation guide can be found here .
Canon (Windows and Mac)
If you have a newer Canon EOS or PowerShot camera, then the beta version of the Canon EOS Webcam is probably your best bet. The app was released for Windows earlier this year, but a recent update has expanded Mac support.
We have a guide on how to download and install the app on Windows . Mac owners will find a similar step-by-step guide on the Canon website .
An official list of compatible Canon cameras and all related download links are available here .
Fujifilm (Windows and Mac)
The Fujifilm X Webcam app is free to download, although support may seem a little limited to some users. The utility is available for Windows 10 and Mac, but only a few of Fujifilm’s newest cameras are compatible. It also only works with a select list of video apps, but most of the popular ones like Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, and OBS are covered.
Full compatibility information , download links and installation instructions are available on the Fujifilm website.
GoPro (Mac)
The GoPro app is still in beta and pretty humble, but it at least turns your GoPro HERO8 Black into a webcam on a Mac. A Windows version is under development but not available at this time. You will also need to manually install the beta firmware on your camera, but our guide will walk you through the entire installation process .
Nikon (Windows)
Nikon Webcam Utility Beta is another Windows application. The official download page provides installation instructions and lists all supported camera models. Nikon also has a good streaming guide with tips for enhancing your camera’s video quality.
Olympus (Windows)
The beta version of the Olympus OM-D Webcam is, again, only available for Windows 10. The camera only supports five OM-D camera models: E-M1, E-M1X, E-M1 Mark II, E-M1 Mark III … and the E-M5 Mark II. Olympus has also decided to make its app support for video recording only, so you’ll need to use your PC’s built-in microphone, or set up an external one if you want to be able to stream / record your voice.
You can download the beta version of the OM-D Webcam from the Olympus website . The page also shows you how to install and configure the app, and provides tips for recording audio, although our guide to launching a podcast can help with that as well.
Panasonic (Windows and Mac)
Panasonic’s Lumix Tether already allows users to connect their cameras to their Windows PC or Mac for tethered shooting (in which your PC acts as an external display to view photos immediately after they are taken), but the app now includes Live View for streaming. … It only works with six Panasonic cameras – DC-GH5, DC-G9, DC-GH5S, DC-S1, DC-S1R and DC-S1H – but should work with any streaming or video chat application.
Download links and a step-by-step installation guide are available here .
Third Party Applications (Windows and Mac)
By now, almost every well-known camera brand has their own webcam app, but you don’t have to rely on third-party software if you don’t want to, especially considering that the apps listed above only support certain cameras and some cases are designed to for Mac or Windows only.
If none of the above apps will work with your camera, here are a few third-party options that might help:
- Sparkocam (Windows): Supports Canon and Nikon cameras only, but works with older models not included in both companies’ webcam apps. The free version of Sparkocam displays a watermark over the video, but you can remove it by purchasing the premium version ($ 70 for a 1-year license or $ 100 for lifetime access).
- CamTwist (Mac): CamTwist is free to download and should work with a variety of cameras. Unfortunately, it won’t work with 64-bit programs, so overall app support is limited. However, it’s worth a try if that’s your only option.
Use a capture card
For the sake of completeness, there is another way to use your DSLR as a webcam: with an external capture card. This will probably work even with cameras that are not supported by any of the apps listed above. Your computer should automatically detect the video source as soon as you plug everything in.
Unfortunately, using a capture card is a more expensive solution – you’ll need the card itself and the appropriate HDMI and / or USB cables to get everything hooked up. Cables won’t be expensive, but decent capture cards start at $ 100 .
However, $ 100 for a capture card is a lot less than it would cost you to buy a new DSLR just to use it as a webcam. However, you probably have a smartphone. Why not use it as a webcam if your old DSLR isn’t up to the task?