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Zoom calls and team meetings on Google are the new norm, and everyone is bending over backward to make their at-home office space look as professional as possible (even if we all know you’re working in your boxer briefs).
While there will always be a fancier background and better ambient lighting to light up your workroom or studio, we rarely consider upgrading our webcam. Sure, the one you have on your Macbook is “good,” but after seeing the difference a premium webcam can bring over the standard MacBook camera, I’m a little astounded I didn’t upgrade earlier.
I recently got my hands on the OBSBOT Tiny 2 Lite, which aims to be the creme-de-la-creme in the webcam space. I’ve been using it for work alongside some extracurricular activities (which is just a fancy way of saying Dungeons and Dragons), and I was pretty impressed by what this camera could do.
But it’s not perfect, so let’s talk about what this product is before diving into my hot takes and the one main thing that might cause hesitation to the average consumer looking to upgrade their workflow drastically.
So you can learn more here on their product page, and then we can dive in.
What Is The OBSBOT Tiny 2 Lite?
The OBSBOT Tiny 2 Lite is a compact, advanced webcam designed for professional and personal use. It measures 47 x 44 x 62.02 mm and is made from premium magnesium alloy, which provides a durable and luxurious feel. The webcam features a gimbal-mounted camera, a magnetic mount for easy attachment to monitors, and a female tripod thread for additional mounting options. It connects to devices via a USB-C port and includes a protective travel case.
This webcam offers several unique features to enhance the user experience. With hand gestures, dynamic Gesture Control lets users control the camera’s movements and settings. AI Tracking with Auto Zoom ensures the camera smoothly follows the subject. The Obsbot Webcam app allows users to apply beauty filters and manually adjust camera settings such as exposure and field of view.
The OBSBOT Tiny 2 Lite delivers high-quality visuals and performance for business meetings, streaming, and content creation. It supports resolutions up to 4K at 30fps and has a 1/1.5” CMOS sensor. The webcam includes additional features such as a small light indicator for mode status and a Beauty Mode that can be accessed through the Obsbot Webcam app, allowing users to apply retouching effects to their video feed. The app also enables further customization of camera settings for optimal video quality.
OBSBOT Tiny 2 Lite Review – The Five Pros
The Definition
I’ve used a couple of different webcams at this point in my career as an online content creator, and I’ll admit that this is by far the clearest image with the highest quality definition that I’ve used. The focus is clear on my face, and it blows even my iPhone camera’s video out of the water, which is pretty tough to do these days with the quality of the cameras of the recent iPhone models.
The above image is a still frame of a video on a Zoom call, which is pretty damn impressive, seeing as usually the video quality in the Zoom calls that I have is severely downgraded both through the limitations of Zoom’s tech and the camera itself.
The Gestures + Commands
There is a small set of gestures pre-programmed into the webcam that allows you to control some of the basic functions of the webcam, and that helped out my workflow. I am not ashamed to admit that I run a Dungeons and Dragons game with some friends online, and there is a lot to keep track of when I’m running the game for my friends and having a couple of gesture-based commands to control some of the basic features of the OBSBOT Tiny 2 Lite helps manage this. While the number of gestures is pretty limited, you do get the important ones, which handled 80% of the things I would have asked them to.
The Size
This camera is tiny, which makes its image clarity even more impressive. But what I wanted to highlight here about its size is how travel-friendly it is. If you do a lot of traveling for work, this camera should be a serious consideration as it folds up tightly and compactly for easy storage but has a great little clip that allows it to stay securely on your laptop for meetings and conference calls.
The Smoothness
I tried other auto-tracking webcams over the years, and they would usually give me and my aforementioned group of DnD players seasickness as the tracking moved and bobbed as it tried to keep track of my often overly animated movements (sorry, it’s just how I talk, even when I’m not running DnD games).
But the OBSBOT Tiny 2 Lite tracking was super smooth and not ocean-sickness-inducing. It simply kept up with what I was doing and how I was moving in a smooth and fluid motion, and my players and I were all happier about it.
Of Course It’s Got An App…
Like most new pieces of tech these days, the OBSBOT Tiny 2 Lite has an accompanying app that lets you get the most out of the webcam. I usually rail against products requiring you to download an app to get the maximum value from a product. Still, the OBSBOT app brings enough functionality and customization to the webcam to warrant the down.
It has filters that can enhance your skin and other aesthetic effects, but overdoing it can make you look unnatural.
Outside of that, you can adjust the webcam’s different modes, manually tinker with the view, and adjust the exposure settings. Overall, this webcam offers a ton of functionality and has an easy-to-use interface.
And The Cons…
There is just one downside to this webcam, and that will be the price…
The OBSBOT Tiny 2 Lite is over $150, which is a big price to pay for the average consumer just looking for a casual webcam, especially ones who may have just invested in one of the newer iPhone versions and consider that video quality “good enough” for the Zoom calls that they’re doing.
However, for the working, traveling, and dedicated professional who has the extra money to invest in premium-level webcams for work and content creation, the OBSBOT Tiny 2 Lite is a complete no-brainer.
Final Thoughts & Availability
The Obsbot Tiny 2 Lite is available now in the US, UK, and Australia, with a price tag of $179. This places it in the higher-end category of webcams, surpassing the cost of notable competitors like the Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra and the Elgato Facecam Pro. While it may not match these models in dynamic range, autofocus speed, or 4K frame rate capabilities, the Obsbot Tiny 2 excels in its array of smart features, setting it apart in the market.
When evaluating the Obsbot Tiny 2 Lite, it is important to consider what features are most essential for your needs. This webcam offers substantial value for users prioritizing advanced features like AI Tracking and Dynamic Gesture Control. However, if your primary requirements include the best dynamic range and fastest autofocus, alternatives like the Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra or the Elgato Facecam Pro might be more suitable. The decision ultimately hinges on the most critical functionalities for your webcam use.
In summary, the Obsbot Tiny 2 Lite stands out with its smart features and premium build, making it a compelling choice for professionals, streamers, and content creators who can leverage its capabilities. Despite its high price, the investment may be justified for those seeking cutting-edge features in a compact package. However, more affordable options with fewer advanced features might better fit everyday users or those with budget constraints.
