HomeTechnologyNewsLogitech Brio 500 webcam review: Flexible HDR video capture

Logitech Brio 500 webcam review: Flexible HDR video capture

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Classification:
8/10
?

  • 1 – Does not work
  • 2 – Barely functional
  • 3 – Very poor in most areas
  • 4 – It works, but has numerous problems
  • 5 – Good but leaves a lot to be desired
  • 6 – Good enough to buy on sale
  • 7 – Great and worth buying
  • 8 – Fantastic, best in class approach
  • 9 – Best in class
  • 10 – Limit perfection

Price: $130

Hannah Stryker / Instruction Geek

Nowadays, having a good webcam seems more like a necessity than a luxury. If you’ve decided to invest in a standalone webcam, the Logitech Brio 500 offers crisp HDR detail and flexible picture options like zoom, wide angle, and a special presentation mode for a mid-range price.

Given that Logitech’s Brio Ultra HD 4K webcam made a splash when it first went on sale in 2017, launching an updated Brio lineup for personal and professional use is a move that made sense. The Brio 500 webcam combines flexible camera angles with 1080p HDR, but at $130, it doesn’t feel like an overpriced device for a hobbyist or beginning professional who wants to chat in clear detail, especially compared to the price of the original. . Verve ($200).

With the legacy of the Brio brand, you might have high expectations for the new 500 webcam. While I’ve found the device to be a pro at handling every video call I’ve made, it’s not without its drawbacks.

This is what we like

  • Crisp, clear HDR video
  • Flexible wide angle and zoom functions
  • Excellent microphone sound for a webcam.
  • Easy Privacy Shutter
  • Automatic light correction makes you look great in any environment

And what we don’t do

  • Webcam build feels a bit flimsy
  • Does not come with a USB-A cable for computers without USB-C input
  • The mounting system needs work.

How-To Geek’s expert reviewers get hands-on with every product we review. We put every piece of hardware through hours of real-world testing and benchmark it in our lab. We never accept payment to endorse or review a product and we never aggregate other people’s reviews. Read more >>

The Brio 500 looks great, but it feels a bit flimsy

Logitech Brio 500 in box.
Hannah Stryker / Instruction Geek
  • Dimensions: Webcam only 1.24 x 4.33 x 1.24 inches (31.5 x 110 x 31.5 mm), Webcam with mounting clip included 2.03 x 4.33 x 1.77 inches (51, 5x110x45mm)
  • Weight: Webcam only 3 oz (85 g), Webcam with mounting clip included 4.27 oz (121 g)
  • Connections: USB-C
  • Room: 4MP, HD resolution (1080p 30fps, 720p 60fps)
  • Zoom: 4x
  • Approach: Auto focus, auto frame
  • Microphone: Double noise cancellation
  • Speaker: It is not
  • Light: It is not

The Logitech Brio 500 webcam has a simple, streamlined design. Its plastic body has rounded edges, two built-in microphones on the front, and an LED indicator light (so you know when your webcam is on). Also on the front is the recessed camera housing, which includes a handy privacy shutter that you can open and close with a quick swipe of the right end of the camera body.

The back of the webcam includes a five-foot-long USB-C cable, while the bottom of the webcam houses a magnetic button that clicks into the base of the included mounting clip. You’ll also find a tripod input handy if you unscrew the magnetic button. As soon as I took it out of the box, I set up the mounting clip for my laptop by placing the adhesive on the back. This inclusion makes it easy to slide the camera out of the computer at any time.

The design of the Brio 500 struck me as successful, with one minor caveat. While this webcam is very easy to carry when traveling thanks to its lightweight frame, it also feels a bit flimsy. The privacy shutter, for example, closes and opens smoothly, but feels flimsy. While I’m not sure the shutter or any other component of the webcam will break, the Brio 500 doesn’t seem to hold up to a lot of abuse.

Logitech Brio 500 disassembled from the stand.
Hannah Stryker / Instruction Geek

The Brio 500’s plug-and-play USB-C cable is excellent, and I had no problem getting the camera up and running in no time (even without downloading the recommended Logi Tune app. More on that later). . However, to connect the webcam to my HP laptop, I had to search for a USB-C to USB-A adapter, and that’s a downside for many who don’t have a newer device with USB-C ports. It would be nice if Logitech included both connection options.

Incredible video quality on various platforms

Logitech Brio 500 closing shutter per person.
Hannah Stryker / Instruction Geek
  • Supported operating systems: Windows 8 or later, macOS 10.10 or later, ChromeOS
  • Compatible with: Certified for Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet, and works with Skype, Messenger, and other video platforms
  • Bluetooth support: It is not

The Brio 500 is certified for software like Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet, and I had no issues with those platforms when making video calls for business or pleasure. The clarity of the image, however, is affected, depending on the platform. On Zoom, the video quality was excellent, but on Google Meet and Microsoft Teams, there were times when the video was a bit blurry. I blame this on the platforms themselves (or my Wi-Fi connection), as when I tried the camera in other configurations, the Brio 500 was a big hit: video quality was near perfect every time.

One of my favorite features was the Brio 500’s automatic light correction. Whether I was sitting in a dark living room or by a bright window in my office, the webcam adjusted the lighting for me. Automatic light correction was a game changer compared to my laptop’s built-in webcam. I’m used to looking grainy or like an overexposed ghost, but the Brio 500 exceeded my expectations. Not once did I see myself pixelated, too white or darkened. In fact, there were times when HDR gave me also lots of color, thanks to the rosy undertones in my skin, and too much fun in the sun.

As for the auto-framing feature, Logitech got it right too. No matter how much I moved or moved my chair, it was always in frame, with no distortion or pause in the stream. For a person who often cannot sit still without moving some part of my body, this was another checked box. The camera mount also offers plenty of webcam angles, which I appreciated.

Brio 500 image clarity image in Zoom.
Cianna Garrison / Instruction Geek

If you use your webcam for work, you’ll be pleased with the Brio 500’s video quality and its flexibility to read your surroundings.

For work presentations (or virtual game nights), the Brio 500’s “Show Mode” makes it easy to share what you see in real time. You can turn on Show mode in the Logi Tune app (available on Windows and Mac, but not ChromeOS).

With Logi Tune, you can also zoom in or out, apply a filter to your video, and turn HDR on and off. Show Mode is what it sounds like: a presentation feature that makes it easy for you to show other video participants something on your desktop. To use it, tilt the Brio 500 webcam downward to capture your workspace, and Show Mode will automatically change the camera view to show the same perspective you have.

While nothing beats an external microphone, the Brio 500’s dual noise-canceling microphones are above average. On video calls, I told people I was using my webcam’s built-in microphones, and they were surprised they did such a good job! There’s still a bit of that characteristic cushioning that the built-in mics provide, though, so if you’re a streaming or video call addict, I’d invest in an external mic option.

Brio 500 microphone sample with background noise

Brio 500 microphone sample without background noise

Performance is perfect, but mount needs help

Logitech Brio 500 back on the monitor.
Hannah Stryker / Instruction Geek
  • Diagonal Field of View (dFoV): 90/78/65 degrees
  • Connections: USB-C, five-foot cable

As good as the Brio 500’s performance is, there is a big downside depending on its configuration. For me, who used the webcam on my laptop more than a desktop, the five-foot USB-C cable frequently got in the way. Let me explain. The USB-C cable wouldn’t be a problem if it weren’t for the Brio 500’s slack when it’s inside the stand.

The button snaps into the mounting clip via a strong magnet and is quite secure. However, there is plenty of room for movement within the mounting clip where the camera sits. Often I’d be on a call and I’d inadvertently move the USB-C cable or hit the edge of my laptop, and the Brio 500 would move to the right.

Because the webcam didn’t quite fit the clip, I had to manually adjust the camera countless times (and yes, people on my calls did notice). Some movement is understandable, as you need to adjust your camera to capture different angles, but this felt excessive.

Although it is finicky, it was a frustration that made me hesitate to use it for trimming. To prevent this, I’d recommend using a tripod or finding a way to secure the extra length of cable to prevent movement. In a desktop setup, there was less room for error, although hitting or hitting the desktop did cause the webcam to rotate in the clip.

The flexibility of the mounting clip is a plus – you can move it around a bit to find the perfect angle, but I found it difficult to adjust without removing the webcam – another minor inconvenience if you’re trying to fine-tune your video capture during a call.

Should you buy the Logitech Brio 500 webcam?

If you’re looking for a webcam that ticks all your boxes and then some, the Brio 500 isn’t a bad deal. However, if you prefer a solid-body webcam, 4K picture quality, and a more predictable mount, you might want to up your budget and check out the Logitech Brio Stream or Dell UltraSharp HDR 4K webcam.

Overall, I was more than satisfied with the Logitech Brio 500’s performance, and if you’re someone in the market for an HD webcam that doesn’t cost $200 or more, you’ll want to consider purchasing one to improve your home. office Its automatic light correction, noise-canceling microphones, automatic framing and HDR modes make it worth the price of admission. You can pick up the Brio 500 today in Off White, Pink, or Graphite for $129.99.

This is what we like

  • Crisp, clear HDR video
  • Flexible wide angle and zoom functions
  • Excellent microphone sound for a webcam.
  • Easy Privacy Shutter
  • Automatic light correction makes you look great in any environment

And what we don’t do

  • Webcam build feels a bit flimsy
  • Does not come with a USB-A cable for computers without USB-C input
  • The mounting system needs work.

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