How To Use Your DSLR As A Webcam (Simple Answer!)

If you are an aspiring YouTube star, Twitch streamer, or just someone who enjoys creating video logs that only you and your friends will ever see, you need a webcam to create the footage.

Most laptops and PCs come readily equipped with webcams nowadays, but anyone who's used them understands that the quality leaves a lot to be desired.

Sure, the images are there, but you're very clearly filming on a webcam, while a DSLR should be something to consider. If you're unsure about how to use your DSLR as a webcam, you've come to the right place. 

While most modern webcams have come a long way since their initial inception in terms of video quality, they are still miles behind even the most entry-level DSLR cameras on the market.

For many people, 720p resolution is excellent, but if you're a content creator, you, your loyal followers, and curious viewers want to see high-quality 4K resolution. Using your DSLR can make that possible.  

Who Should Use a DSLR Webcam?

Aside from Skype calls to chat with friends or video conferencing for interviews and meetings, there are many uses for a webcam. These include: 

• Content creation
• Live streaming
• Taking passport photos or profile pictures
• DIY baby monitoring
• Home security system

With these uses, high-quality images are crucial and can make your content or pictures look professional and improve the viewing experience. 

If you are sick of grainy and unreliable photos and videos from your webcam, switching to a DSLR could allow you to take the next step in your online streaming career. 

DSLR vs Regular Webcam

The image quality is vastly superior compared to standard webcams, even if you splash out on the most expensive and high-tech gaming PC you can buy. The DSLR also comes with plenty of settings and functions that you cannot get from a computer webcam, and you can adjust everything from the aperture to exposure to frame rate when recording videos.  

It's also arguably cheaper if you have a DSLR as using your camera saves you purchasing a new webcam to attach to your setup.  

However, While DSLRs are better in terms of picture quality, you may need a capture card to convert signals to digital data (we'll go into more detail about this in the next section). A DSLR may also go into sleep mode quicker than you'd like, which is not ideal when you want to record hours of footage in one go, like when recording a podcast. 

The DSLR may also overheat or have the battery run down quickly, and most cameras cannot be used while charging. You wouldn't get this with a webcam, as its power is built into the PC or laptop. 

To overcome this, you can have many batteries ready to charge and record with intervals so that you do not lose power in the middle of a session. 

Both options allow you to attach external microphones to enhance audio quality and eliminate ambient and background noise for crisp and clear audio.  

Option 1: Magewell or AJA Capture Device with OBS

There are two primary ways to use your DSLR as a webcam and the first one possible with almost every DSLR available regardless of the brand. It doesn't matter if you have a Nikon, Canon, or Sony DSLR, as long as you have an HDMI port, this method may prove useful for you.  

For simplicity, we'll focus on the Magewell and AJA Capture Devices. 

These devices are useful for DSLR cameras because, despite the fact they can capture images and record videos, they were not originally designed to be webcams.

By connecting these devices to the camera, you will be able to convert the audio and video signals so that your computer can recognize and stream or save them to your preferred platforms, such as Skype or Twitch. 

The Magewell and AJA are specifically designed to capture and convert signals, so you will have fewer problems using them with your DSLR compared to more generic and broadly operating options.

One particular pro of these devices is that they run without lag, so your viewers, whether it's five or five thousand, will enjoy a seamless, lag-free experience. 

The Magewell has a single HDMI input port and a single USB 3.0 port, and it can support video up to 2048x2160 pixels while also offering plenty of options to find the perfect video, including cropping, colour adjustment, converting the aspect ratio, mirror, and flipping the image. 

It is compatible with all major operating systems, including the Chrome OS, which is not something that you always get with this kind of device. It also has a compact footprint so that it won't take up too much space on your desk or in your camera bag. 

The AJA is similar to the Magewell, and this, too, comes with both an HDMI and USB 3.0 port. It's also compact, being smaller than your standard smartphone, and is compatible with Windows, iOS, and Linux, but not Chrome. The frame rate support is as much as 1080p. 

This device also comes with a 3-year warranty. At around $350, it's decent value for money, especially considering its broad compatibility, although we'd advise you to check with your DSLR before purchasing. 

If you don't have the budget to spend that much, consider MYPIN, which retails at $90. This is a suitable stop-gap anyone unwilling to invest in a video capturing device right now. 

How to Set it Up

Once you purchase your capture device, you can start thinking about setting it up with your DSLR. The process is simple enough, so don't worry about calling in a professional, just make sure you follow our step-by-step instructions to the letter. 

1. Connect DSLR to your computer via USB cable to keep it charged 
2. Connect the HDMI cable to your capture device
3. Connect the USB to your computer or laptop
4. Download the OBS software (for free) which will allow you to adjust video settings
5. Use your DSLR Settings menu to select 1080p at 30fps or 60fps 
6. Disable On Screen Display to remove the timestamp
7. Once OBS is installed, go to Sources, Add, and Video Capture Device
8. Select your video capturing tool and use Customer Resolution (e.g. 1280x720 at 30fps)
9. Select Audio settings and enable audio recording for your video capture device

Extra Steps

If you want to use Skype with your DSLR, use the Tools option to select your video capturing device for Video and Audio. This allows your DSLR to act as a webcam when using Skype to chat with friends, conduct video interviews, or conference video calls. 

For streamers, you can use the OBS software live streaming by going to Settings, selecting Broadcast Settings, and then choosing Live Streaming. To save videos directly to your computer, select 'File output only' in the same section of the program.  

For more stable video recording, it may be worth investing in a tripod for your DSLR to stand on, and you can also purchase an external microphone to hook up to your device to deliver better audio quality. 

Using Multiple DSLR Cameras as Webcams 

For more professional setups, you can also connect multiple DSLRs to one computer to use them as a webcam. This is especially useful for those who want to record various angles. 

You will need an additional HDMI switch with more than two inputs for HDMI cables, but the process is mostly the same. You will only be able to see one video feed at once, but this isn't something to worry about, as you can toggle between them by using the HDMI switch. Canon and Nikon DSLRs are top notch to be used for Live streaming or youtube. 

Option 2: SparkoCam

The second method for using your DSLR as a webcam is through SparkoCam. If you are unwilling (or unable) to invest in additional hardware, even the budget options, this is a decent enough alternative. However, you should expect some limitations compared to using the AJA or Magewell. 

SparkoCam is free software that is compatible with Windows, but you can purchase premium features anywhere that will cost between $40 and $120. These additional features will unlock a broader range of customization options, but it may be better to try the free software first to see if you like it.  

To start using SparkoCam, connect your DSLR to your computer via USB cable. Switch the camera on and then open the SparkoCam software. Here, you will need to select your device from the drop-down menu, and it will give you the option of Nikon or Canon.  

To ensure your DSLR operates as a webcam for Skype calls, head to Skype Options, and select SparkoCam Virtual Camera from the list of options. This is all you will need to do, as it sets your DSLR as your default webcam with no further requirements. 

For other applications, such as Twitch, you can select the source of the webcam from the Settings menu on the program.  

SparkoCam works with Nikon and Canon, and despite the free version not being as comprehensive as a video capture device, you can still get decent results from it. 

If you're unsure which of the two options is the best way forward for your needs, we've compiled a list of Advantages and Disadvantages for SparkoCam to give you a better idea of which option to choose.  

Advantages of SparkoCam 

It's free to use!

Who doesn't like free stuff? The basic version of SparkoCam requires no monetary commitment and allows you to still use a range of features and functions without spending a penny. If you find you like SparkoCam, the option to upgrade is always there. 

It's easy to use!

Unlike some software, SparkoCam is highly user-friendly, and if you do get stuck, there is plenty of information online for you to refer to after you've exhausted all other options.

 You get decent quality video

While it won't provide the same picture quality as video capturing devices, the quality is still good enough, and it will still be better than your built-in webcam. 

There is email support available

If you encounter any bugs or run into issues that information cannot solve, don't hesitate to shoot an email over to the SparkoCam support team who should be able to help you with any queries.  

Disadvantages of SparkoCam 

It adds a watermark to your videos

The free version will include watermarks on all videos, which may not be ideal for some people, especially those creating content to publish online. However, opting to upgrade to the paid version will remove these watermarks. 

There is no Audio recording for Nikon or Canon DSLRs

SparkoCam does not allow the internal microphone to operate when streaming, so you'll need to splash out on an external microphone to make video calls on Skype or create content. Luckily, external mics are not too expensive and still offer good quality audio. 

There are still more advantages than disadvantages to using SparkoCam. If you're just getting into streaming or recording video using a webcam, this might be a suitable way to ease yourself into doing so until you get an idea of whether it's right for you. 

Lights, Camera, Action

Using your DSLR as a webcam is not as initially straightforward as using your computer or laptop's webcam. Still, the higher video quality and wide range of options for choosing different settings make the effort worth it.

If you are someone who uses their webcam frequently and wants the best possible images, either of these methods could be beneficial for you. 

Of course, if you do not own a DSLR, then you might be better off just purchasing a high-quality webcam. While DSLRs have become more affordable in recent years, their primary purpose is still taking photographs.

It might be useful to weigh up your options and compare purchasing a DSLR versus buying an external webcam regardless of whether you use a laptop or desktop PC.  

Whatever you decide, we hope this guide has answered any questions you have about how to use your DSLR as a webcam, and hopefully, we answered some questions you did not know you needed the answers to, also. 

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