BestWebcams for MaciMore2020
If you're looking for an external webcam to enhance your streaming, chatting, or conference call, we have the solution. Whether you want the best webcam that money can buy or prefer a low-cost option, we've rounded up some of the best webcams you can find for your Mac.
Note: While our picks for best webcam remain the same, you can expect widespread shortages due to COVID-19. If you need a webcam right now, here's where you can check the latest in-stock items.
Back to menu ↑ EpocCam Webcam for Mac and PC. EpocCam is one of the best and popular webcam apps you can find on the market. This app works with plenty of apps like Skype and supports the rear and front-facing cameras of your smartphone.
Best for Most: Logitech BRIO
Staff FavoriteThe Logitech BRIO is a plug-and-play external webcam that films in 4K, meaning you're going to look as crisp as possible while you're using it. It can display two different viewing angles — 65 or 78 degrees — so you can include as much or as little of your surroundings as you want.
$160 at AmazonBest for Skype: Logitech C920
Logitech partnered with Skype to create the ideal video-conferencing webcam. Get full HD 1080p video calls with Logitech's Fluid Crystal Technology. The H.264 encoded compression that makes video calling so fast and smooth also makes for excellent video capture.
$220 at AmazonUniversal compatibility: TedGem 1080P Full HD Webcam
Just plug and play this universal 1080P full HD webcam suitable for your PC or Mac. No special drivers or software are needed. The 90-degree wide-angle lens means fewer dead angles. The .264 video compression technology, fast transmission, autofocus and light correction combine to give you clear, high-quality video.
$146 at AmazonVersatile: Tandberg PrecisionHD
While the Tanberg PrecisionHD only films in 720p, it does so at 30FPS, giving you a smooth-looking video at all times. It doesn't need any drivers to work, so it's truly plug-and-play. It really shines when it comes to the internal optics – the light correction is almost unparalleled. It even has an optical zoom, meaning the resolution is maintained no matter how close you get.
$79 at AmazonFor Gamers: Logitech C922x
The Logitech C922x records video in 1080p at 30FPS and is optimized for social gaming and entertainment sites like Twitch and YouTube. It has a pretty wide 78-degree viewing angle, autofocus, auto light correction, and no-drop audio.
Rugged: Logitech C615
Recording in 1080p, this little webcam has a 360-degree swivel mount, making it easy to find the perfect spot that works best for your desktop set up. With a built-in microphone and easy access to all of Logitech's supportive software, the C615 is easy on the bank account and doesn't leave you wanting more.
$36 at AmazonAffordable: Logitech C270
Best for people who don't need anything fancy, the Logitech C270 has a built-in stereo microphone. It features noise cancellation to help deal with background noise, ensuring you always sound as clear as possible. It still records in HD, although it is only 720p.
High Speed: Spedal Full HD Webcam
The Spedal Full HD Webcam is a super reliable and sharp webcam that's designed with a 7-layer lens coating and 100-degree wide-angle for versatile views. It has built-in dual digital noise-canceling microphones and records in 1536p HD.
$36 at AmazonWell Priced: Stopmotion Explosion USB 2.0 HD Pro Webcam
The Stopmotion Explosion USB 2.0 HD Pro Webcam is a Mac accessory with a full 1080p HD and a 1920 x 1080 high-resolution image for all of your video call and streaming needs. It's designed with an internal noise-canceling microphone and works by simply being plugged into a USB port.
$30 at AmazonSleek Design: Allinko 610 Webcam
The Allinko 610 Webcam is a sleek and stylish HD 1080p webcam that's perfect for streaming, recording, Skyping, and more. It's universal mounting clips also come with a tripod thread, while a noise-canceling microphone captures clear audio while erasing the noise commotion around you.
From $60 at AmazonGreat for Streaming: Logitech StreamCam
Capture full HD 1080P at 60fps in portrait or landscape mode. The USB-C connection is fast and reliable. Smart auto-focus and exposure utilize AI-enabled facial tracking for smooth and precise video.
From $265 at AmazonProfessional: Supertemblor Pro Stream Webcam
The Supertemblor Pro Stream Webcam is a rugged and professional webcam designed with an HDR sensor and facial enhancement technology for the clearest and sharpest images possible. It allows you to stream in 1080p HD and has a max resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.
$46 at AmazonFinding the perfect webcam for your Mac can make all the difference
The Logitech C920 is the best for most people, in our opinion. Its 78-degree angle means you can fit more than one person into the frame, and it records at 1080p resolution, which is as high as most people need.
All external webcams offer some great benefits over the built-in webcams that come with your Mac. They are more versatile in terms of placement. Depending on which one you get, it will do a much better job of exposing its video, so you don't end up as some dark blob. Webcams like the Supertemblor Pro Stream Webcam focus on delivering the clearest, brightest image possible, even in dim or backlit settings.
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Looking for a stellar stand for your MacBook or MacBook Pro? It's more than just a way to show off your toy: it can help optimize space, reduce desk clutter, help with storage, and more.
Mac malware often spies on users by recording audio and video sessions...sometimes in an undetected manner. OverSight monitors a mac's mic and webcam, alerting the user when the internal mic is activated, or whenever a process accesses the webcam.
compatibility: OS X 10.10+
current version: 1.2.0 (change log)
zip's sha-1: adae7e8a2d4f78489205d6b0c3017c3ebf733f6f
current version: 1.2.0 (change log)
zip's sha-1: adae7e8a2d4f78489205d6b0c3017c3ebf733f6f
One of the most insidious actions of malware, is abusing the audio and video capabilities of an infected host to record an unknowing user. Macs, of course, are not immune; malware such as OSX/FruitFly, OSX/Crisis, OSX/Mokes, and others, all attempt to spy on Mac users. OverSight constantly monitors a system, alerting a user whenever the internal microphone is activated, or the built-in webcam is accessed. And yes, while the webcam's LED will turn on whenever a session is initially started, new research has shown that malware can surreptitious piggyback into such existing sessions (FaceTime, Skype, Google Hangouts, etc.) and record both audio and video - without fear of detection.
As with any security tool, direct or proactive attempts to specifically bypass OverSight's protections will likely succeed. Moreover, the current version over OverSight utilizes user-mode APIs in order to monitor for audio and video events. Thus any malware that has a kernel-mode or rootkit component may be able to access the webcam and mic in an undetected manner.
To install OverSight, first download the zip archive containing the application. Depending on your browser, you may need to manually unzip the application by double-clicking on the zipped archive:
Then, simply double-click on 'OverSight_Installer.app'. Click 'Install' to install the tool:
OverSight can also be installed via the command-line. Just execute the installer application with the -install flag:
//install
$ sudo OverSight_Installer.app/Contents/MacOS/OverSight_Installer -install
OVERSIGHT: install ok!
$ sudo OverSight_Installer.app/Contents/MacOS/OverSight_Installer -install
OVERSIGHT: install ok!
Once OverSight is installed, it will be running and is set to automatically start each time you log in.
By default, when running OverSight adds an icon () to the status menu. Clicking on this icon will display a menu with various information and configuration options:
While OverSight is running, anytime the internal microphone is activated, or a process accesses the built-in webcam, OverSight will alert you of this fact.
Below is an example of an OverSight mic alert, generated when an application (Shazam.app) has activated the internal microphone:
Besides alerting that the mic has been activated, the alert contains the name and process identifier of the process responsible for the alert (i.e. 'Shazam'). Moreover, the notification allows one to either 'allow' the process, or terminate it via the 'block' option.
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If the 'allow' option is selected, a popup will be displayed asking if the process should be allowed always, or just this once:Clicking the 'Yes, Always' will 'white-list' the application - meaning that in the future no OverSight alert will be displayed; the application will be automatically allowed. White-listed applications can be viewed via OverSight's preferences pane (discussed below):
When OverSight detects that the webcam has been activated, or, that a secondary process has accessed the camera (while it's already in use) it will display an alert:
The webcam notifications will contain the name of the process (i.e. Facetime) and its process identifier. Just like with the mic notification, it will also contain the 'allow' or 'block' options.
Note, in some cases OverSight cannot identify the process responsible for activating the mic or webcam. When this (rarely?) occurs, a more generic alert will be shown. For example, a mic activation alert:
In order to configure OverSight, simply click on its icon () in the status menu. Then click on 'Preferences':
This preferences window will also be shown if you run OverSight.app from the /Applications folder.
- 'Log activity'
This preference specifies whether or not OverSight should log start/stop and audio/video events.
OverSight's log file is located at: ~/Library/Application Support/Objective-See/OverSight/OverSight.log.
Click the 'view' link just to the right of the 'Log Activity' label to open the log file. When this preference is enabled, OverSight will also log to the system log via syslog(). - 'Start at login'
This preference specifies whether OverSight should be started automatically at login, or not. This preferences is on by default meaning OverSight will provide continual protection. - 'Run in 'headless' mode'
By default, OverSight will create an () in the status menu. Enabling this preferences will remove this icon, though OverSight will still be running, providing protection. If you wish to re-enable the status bar menu icon, run OverSight.app from the /Applications, and uncheck this preference. - 'Disable 'inactive' alerts'
When this preference is checked, OverSight will not display an alert when the mic or camera is deactivated. - 'Automatically check for updates'
This preference controls whether or not OverSight will automatically check for new versions at startup. If there is a new version, OverSight will display a popup prompting you to upgrade.
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As previously mentioned, clicking on the 'Manage Rules' button will open a window that displays all white-listed applications. To remove any application, simply click the 'x' button in it's row.To uninstall OverSight, re-run 'OverSight_Installer.app' (you can re-download it if needed). Clicking the 'Uninstall' button will both stop and remove OverSight from your Mac:
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OverSight can also be uninstalled via the command-line. Just execute the installer application with the -uninstall flag://uninstall
$ sudo OverSight_Installer.app/Contents/MacOS/OverSight_Installer -uninstall
OVERSIGHT: uninstall ok!
$ sudo OverSight_Installer.app/Contents/MacOS/OverSight_Installer -uninstall
OVERSIGHT: uninstall ok!
To manually uninstall OverSight, first stop it (via the 'Quit' menu option), then delete the 'Oversight.app' from the /Applications folder. Then delete the login item (System Preferences, Groups & Users -> Current User -> Login Items). Finally delete the ~/Library/Application Support/Objective-See/OverSight/ directory.
Components/Capabilities/Footprints
The following table briefly summarizes OverSight's components, capabilities, and system footprint:
Executable Component | Capability | System Footprint/Impact |
---|---|---|
OverSight_Installer.app | Installs or uninstalls OverSight | Install: a) copies OverSight.app to /Applications b) starts OverSight_Helper.app c) creates ~/Library/Application Support/Objective-See/OverSight/OverSight.log Uninstall: a) stops OverSight_Helper.app b) removes OverSight.app (+ all sub-components) c) removes ~/Library/Application Support/Objective-See/OverSight/ |
OverSight.app | Located in /Applications. Displays OverSight's preferences pane | Contains OverSight_Helper.app |
OverSight_Helper.app | Located in /Applications/OverSight.app/ Contents/Library/LoginItems/ Monitors for audio and video events Automatically started by the OS when the user logs in | Contains OverSightXPC.xpc |
OverSightXPC.xpc | Located in / OverSight_Helper.app/Contents /XPCServices Performs high-privileged actions, such as determining what process is using the webcam | When user white-lists an application, creates ~/Library/Application Support/Objective-See/OverSight/whitelist.plist |
In terms of networking code, each time OverSight starts, it queries https://objective-see.com/products/versions/oversight.json to see if there is a new version of the tool. This can be disabled via the 'Automatically check for updates' option in OverSight's preferences pane. Other than this simple version check, it contains no other networking capabilities.
FAQs
![Webcam Webcam](/uploads/1/2/6/0/126009429/708339951.jpg)
Q: Why does the OverSight Installer need my password?
A: In order to determine what process(es) is/are using the webcam, OverSight interfaces with Apple's 'camera daemon.' This requires elevated privileges. Also if the user clicks, 'block' when a process is detected using the camera, OverSight will terminate the process. Again, this action (may) require elevated privileges.
Q: How can I tell if OverSight is installed and running?
A: When started, OverSight adds an icon () to the status menu. The presence of this icon, indicates that the process is running (unless you've told it to run in 'headless' mode). One can also check if it's running, via the Activity Monitor.app. Select View->All Processes, and look for a running process named OverSight_Helper
Q: Why does it take OverSight, a few seconds to display the webcam/mic usage notification?
A: There is not easy way to determine what process is using the webcam or mic, when either is activated. Worse, there is no direct indication that a new process is accessing an existing a webcam session. Thus OverSight has to perform various tests and has to poll the system (only when the camera/mic is active) in order to determine what process(es) is/are accessing the device. This takes a few seconds...mahalo for your patience!
Q: Why can't OverSight detect what process is using the mic/webcam?
A: While there is no direct way to determine what process is using the webcam or mic, OverSight can almost always figure this via indirect means. If it fails to identify any process (but can still detect that the webcam/mic was activated), Oversight will still generate a notification stating the device was activated. However, this notification will not contain any process information, nor of course, the ability to 'allow'/'block' the process.
Q: How is OverSight different than other tools (such as MicroSnitch)?
A: OverSight is unique in a variety of ways:
- OverSight is 100% free (no demo mode, limited functionality, etc).
- OverSight is able to identify the process that is accessing the webcam.
When your webcam's LED light randomly comes on, you'd want to know what process triggered that, right? - OverSight provides the means to either 'allow' or 'block' a process that is accessing the mic/webcam
- OverSight allows one to whitelist process, allowing access to either the mic or webcam without any subsequent alerts
- OverSight can detect secondary 'consumer' processes that may be piggy-backing off a legitimate webcam session in order to stealthily record the user without detection. (See: 'Getting Duped: Piggybacking on Webcam Streams for Surreptitious Recordings' for details on this novel attack).
Q: Any other questions?
A: Feel free to shoot me an email at [email protected].