I've been using the Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra for years. Of all the webcams I've tested, it does the best job of capturing crystal-clear 4K images in a variety of different lighting scenarios. In my opinion, this is as close to a DSLR camera as you can get without spending a lot of money on it, and it should absolutely be part of anyone's dream. gear for streamers tune.
However, it's been over two years since that camera was released and Razer still hasn't released a new webcam. The brand has just released two new models: the Razer Kiyo V2 and Razer Kiyo Pro V2 X, but they seem more like successors to the original Razer Kiyo webcams than the powerful content creation tool that it is Kiyo Pro Ultra.
This has its pros and cons. First, the prices are much more reasonable for casual users and non-professional content creators who simply want a better quality webcam. The Kiyo V2, which offers maximum 4K, 30fps recording capability, costs $149.99/£149.99. The Kiyo V2 X only records in 1440p at 60fps, but costs just $99.99/£99.99. 4K webcams have become more affordable since the days of the Kiyo Pro Ultra, when high-end options cost around $300.
“With Kiyo V2, we wanted to give creators the best of both worlds,” said Addie Tan, global head of the company's Lifestyle division Reiser. “The original Kiyo Pro set a new standard for webcam image quality, but we knew creators wanted more than just a sharp image.”
The new webcams also follow the latest trend in the market – artificial intelligence integration. With smart pan, tilt and zoom features, the new Kiyo V2 cameras will be very versatile, although based on our reviews, the new Kiyo V2 cameras will be very versatile. Obsbot Tiny 2 And Insta360 Link 2It can be difficult to find uses for these AI features, and most users definitely won't need them.
The real downside, in my opinion, is that with the design change, the new Kiyo V2 and V2 X will lose one of the biggest advantages of the Kiyo Pro Ultra – the large sensor. New models will continue to use Sony Starvis sensor, but what sets the Kiyo Pro Ultra apart is that it has the largest Starvis sensor ever put into a webcam.
Yes, this meant the design was bigger and bulkier, but the image quality makes up for it, especially in low-light scenes. The design of the new Kiyo V2 gives it a striking resemblance to Logitech MX Brio, a webcam that shoots great 4K video but rivals the Kiyo Pro Ultra in image quality.
Instead of improving hardware, Razer is relying on artificial intelligence in many ways.
It works in conjunction with Reincubate and its powerful Camo Studio app. This is often a popular software among people who cannot afford the best webcams as it allows you to adjust settings such as exposure, lenses, filters and more to make the image on the camera look the way you want. Razer has teamed up to have Camo features integrated into Synapse, allowing for features like one-click image enhancement – something like NvidiaDLSS scaling, but for webcam image quality.
“Camo Studio has helped millions of users improve the quality of their video, and combined with Razer's cutting-edge hardware, we're making it easier than ever for creators to focus on what matters most: their content and their communities,” said Aidan Fitzpatrick, CEO of Reincubate.
I have no doubt that this software will help the fairly affordable Kiyo V2 cameras be on par with their current competitors, but as a content creator I'm really looking for hardware improvements that will truly give me the versatility of a DSLR.
I'd like a new version of the Kiyo Pro Ultra that I could use to shoot 4K60 video, or a version with a smarter lens that would allow me to play with the aperture. The Kiyo Pro Ultra is in the same boat as Obsbot Tail Air is that it blurs the lines between a webcam and a full-fledged camera, and I hope the Kiyo Pro V2 Pro Ultra can capitalize on that.
If you're looking for more content creation tools, take a look at best capture cards, best streaming mixerAnd best microphones for streaming and gaming.
