Logitech Brio 500, an affordable smart webcam


Logitech has made a specialty of producing quality accessories for both work and play. While we still wonder if the future of work will be in business, at home, or a little of both, Logitech believes that its new webcam, the Brio 500, will meet the needs of both professionals and the General public.

I tested the device last week and, although it will be necessary to wait before the publication of a complete test, what is certain is that the Brio 500 is already an impressive webcam. The device is packed with several useful features that are becoming exciting selling points of this new line of hybrid webcams.

Logitech Brio 500

Logitech Brio 500 – Best prices:

  • Amazon Marketplace

    133.96

  • Amazon

    134.45

  • Cdiscount

    139.00

  • LDLC

    139.96

  • Darty

    139.99

  • Fnac

    139.99

  • Fnac marketplace

    148.09

  • Rakuten

    160.35

  • Cdiscount Marketplace

    169.52

A solid construction

Let’s start with the basics. To configure the webcam, simply plug the USB-C cable into your Mac or Windows computer and launch the video service of your choice (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, etc.). The photo module is protected by a pink, black or white shell – because personalization comes first – and has a magnetic clip holder to place it on your computer screen. According to our tests, the camera fits without problems on a MacBook.

The foot is solid and very well designed. Thanks to its magnetic hook, you can move the webcam to find the most flattering angle, or even detach it from your screen and mount it on a tripod. It is also possible to change the inclination to show a document on a desk for example, but we will come back to this below. There is also a privacy cover which can be manually activated by turning the right webcam button.

logitech-brio-500-webcam-showmode

Image: June Wan/ZDNET.

The Brio 500 shoots at 1080p resolution with a field of view (FOV) of up to 90 degrees. It’s less good than the Brio Ultra HD Pro which films in 4K, but this new accessory is also cheaper (139 euros against 249 euros) and most users do not need 4K.

Self-framing and artificial intelligence

The main selling point of the Brio 500 is the LogiTune software which offers plenty of “artificial intelligence” features. The first is auto-framing, which harnesses the ultra-wide 90-degree lens to track your movements through the frame. This feature is very similar to Apple’s Center Stage feature on iPads and iPhones.

View mode makes it automatically rotate the display when the webcam is tilted down. This allows professionals, distance learning teachers or product designers to present notes in a readable way.

Logitech-Brio-500-Series-Show-mode

Image: June Wan/ZDNET.

The Logitech webcam comes in two versions: the 500 for the general public and the 505 for businesses. This latest model supports Logitech Sync, software that allows IT administrators to push firmware updates and debug the camera remotely. Both models have the same price.

The professional model is therefore at a rather low price compared to other business webcams, typically sold at 200 or 300 euros. And for that price, you still get some useful AI features on a solid-performing 1080p webcam.

Source: ZDNet.com





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