Olympus has launched software to turn the brand’s mirrorless camera into a webcam, for those working from home. The OM-D webcam beta software is free to use and only works in a select range of Olympus mirrorless models. The software does not use the audio output from the camera, so users can keep the camera fit (and within the range of the USB cable) without worrying about the audio quality. Using the software, Olympus Camera can be used with popular video conferencing apps such as Zoom, Team or OBS.
According to the brand’s official page, the selected range of Olympus OM-D models compatible with the software is the E-M1X, E-M1, E-M1 Mark II, E-M1 Mark III, and E-M5 Mark II. So far, the OM-D Webcam Beta is only compatible with Windows PCs.
Thanks to their technological advantages, mirrorless cameras are slowly gaining popularity over DSLR products. They allow the light to hit the image sensor directly to create a digital preview of the image on an electronic viewfinder or connected monitor. DSLRs, on the other hand, use an internal reflex mirror to bounce light in the optical viewfinder. This makes the mirrorless camera lighter and much faster for video capture.
The software is quite easy to set up. All you have to do is download and install the OM-D webcam beta, connect the camera to the PC using a USB Type-C tether cable, select the camera icon on the monitor, and the camera is ready to use as a webcam.
In the case of audio, users can use the built-in mic for their desktop or laptop or use an external USB microphone of their choice. Since the camera’s built-in mic is not used, it can be set up in any position you need to get the best video results. This can be used exclusively for presentations where the user may need to turn around a bit, such as for a Zoom online classroom.
In early June, Panasonic launched Lumix Teether for the streaming app that lets users turn some of their mirrorless cameras into webcams. Canon and Fujifilm have recently tried to do the same.
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