In the spring, as the pandemic escalated and people moved into home offices, it was nearly impossible to find a webcam to help secure your home or provide a better Zoom experience. As a result, camera manufacturers began releasing software that would allow camera owners to turn their technology into a working webcam. While the scarcity of webcams has subsided somewhat, it can still be a good idea to convert your old phone or camera into a webcam – by redesigning your technology you will not only save some money, but also save your devices. (at least temporarily) from being recycled.
The following are some resources that can help you build a new webcam from your old technology. We’ll start with a few general how-tos and then introduce some of the apps you can get from specific camera manufacturers.
How to convert a phone or camera
How to use your Android or iOS device as a webcam
We’ll start with how to make your Android phone or tablet work as a webcam for your computer, and then we’ll start doing the same with your iPhone or iPad.
How can you use your DSLR or mirrorless camera as a webcam?
If you really want to step up your video calling game, you can use a DSLR or mirrorless camera as a webcam for your computer and have the best looking video of everyone in your group chat.
Software from camera manufacturers
Canon cameras
If you have a recent Canon mirrorless, DSLR or PowerShot camera, you can now use it as a webcam and put it on your video call to put everyone else to shame. The company has released an EOS Webcam Utility beta for Windows 10, along with a beta for macOS that lets you plug in any of the supported cameras via USB and have your computer serve as a webcam.
Fujifilm cameras
Fujifilm has released new software that lets you use certain X-series and GFX-series mirrorless cameras as ultra-high-quality webcams. The application is called Fujifilm X Webcam and working via USB, allowing you to take advantage of much sharper lenses and larger image sensors than the potato camera on your laptop. You can even use Fujifilm’s famous film simulation modes.
GoPro Hero cameras
GoPro will now allow people on Windows PCs to use its features. Hero 8 action camera as webcam — although the experience is only in beta for now. Compatibility with Windows follows the introduction of webcam functionality for macOS users in July.
Nikon cameras
Nikon has also introduced its own Windows 10 and macOS beta software that lets you use mirrorless and DSLR cameras as webcams. this Nikon Webcam Utility uses a USB cable to connect your camera to your computer and produce a high quality video stream.
Olympus mirrorless cameras
Olympus becomes the latest camera company to release an app that allows customers to use their mirrorless cameras as high-quality webcams. with a new OM-D Webcam Beta app for both Windows 10 and macOS.
Panasonic Lumix cameras
Panasonic has released an official Lumix webcam app. The software, which has been in beta since its silent version, allows you to plug your camera into your Mac or Windows machine and be recognized as a video source in apps like Google Meet and Zoom.
Sony cameras
Sony has released its new version. Viewing Edge Webcam Software for Macs that allows you to directly attach a new Sony camera to use as a high-quality webcam for Zoom or Skype calls on your computer. The company had released a version of the software for Windows back in August, but the new version means Mac users can also take action with clear, high-quality video calls.
Wyze security cameras
Owned by smart home device manufacturer Wyze released a firmware update and a set of instructions to convert a low cost security camera into a working webcam. The update involves manually installing the firmware on your Wyze camera, which will temporarily turn into a webcam and then no longer connect to the Wyze app and function normally. However, Wyze says you can reverse the process to restore security camera access to the device and get the device working normally again.
Update October 21, 2020, 3:00 PM ET: This article has been updated to include information about the Nikon Webcam Utility.
