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Obsbot Tiny SE webcam: Two-minute evaluation
The Obsbot Tiny SE is an entry-level pan-tilt-and-zoom gimbal webcam with AI options that punches nicely above its weight. At a remarkably inexpensive worth level of $99 / £109 / AU$199, it provides a compelling mix of options and efficiency that makes it a powerful contender, however provided that you want a digicam that may observe you round a room.
The low worth level might be all the way down to the Obsbot Tiny SE maxing out at 1080p decision. In case you’re a stickler for 4K, try the Obsbot Tiny 2, however for many customers, 1080p strikes a wonderful steadiness between high quality and practicality. What’s extra essential is that this webcam will go as much as 100 frames per second, in the event you’re transferring round a room, gesturing, or being moderately animated generally having {smooth} movement goes to be essential.
The webcam makes use of a 1/2.8-inch CMOS sensor with an f/1.8 aperture, leading to first rate low-light efficiency with minimal noise and grain. It is a vital benefit for dwelling places of work with horrible lighting; avid gamers preferring a moody, backlit setup may even recognize how nicely this webcam performs.
Here’s a side-by-side picture comparability towards the budget webcam king, the Logitech C920. As you may see, the strains are sharper, the main points are clearer, and the colour steadiness is healthier.
The Tiny SE is, because the identify suggests, tiny. Particularly for a digicam that features motors in a position to observe you round a room. There’s something undeniably cute about one thing so small following you round a room. Its compact design ensures it doesn’t hog area in your desk or display screen. Here’s a image with it subsequent to an SD card to present you an thought of how small it truly is:
The webcam comes with an ordinary monitor mount, making it straightforward to clip onto your laptop computer or desktop show. For added versatility, it additionally features a 1/4-inch thread for mounting on tripods or different digicam equipment.
The USB-C connection ensures compatibility with trendy units, and the included USB-C to USB-A adapter covers legacy ports. This considerate inclusion makes it adaptable with out forcing you to rummage by way of your drawer of forgotten dongles and adapters.
The built-in AI monitoring is a showstopper. Whether or not you’re pacing throughout a presentation or showcasing a product to your viewers, the webcam retains you completely framed. You’ll be able to select between totally different framing like upper-body monitoring, or close-up pictures.
The monitoring works fairly nicely, maintaining topics in focus even once they transfer across the body. Paired with the graceful 100 FPS recording, the result’s buttery-smooth footage that doesn’t really feel like a typical static webcam shot.
Gesture controls are a enjoyable addition that I personally discovered annoying however I might see being helpful for somebody who’s presenting. Have to zoom in? Flash an “L” along with your hand. Need it to observe your actions? Elevate your hand, and it locks onto you. Typically nonetheless it interprets hand gestures incorrectly and can zoom right into a random space or observe you whenever you don’t need it to. Attempt it out for your self to see if it is helpful, however personally, I turned it off.
When testing the built-in microphones for the Tiny SE in a quiet room, my voice is obvious with good vary for webcam use, though a small quantity of room echo and noise are current. The mic isn’t distinctive however then I used to be by no means anticipating it to be and it does battle a little bit in a crowded workplace. You will at all times sound higher with a devoted headset or microphone however for a webcam, the Tiny SE provides acceptable audio high quality.
When it comes to usability, the setup course of is simple. Plug it in and also you’re good to go. The Obsbot Middle software program does take this webcam to the following stage and whereas it’s annoying putting in an app for a webcam, it truly is value it to get probably the most out of the Tiny SE. Its intuitive interface makes adjusting settings a breeze, whether or not you’re tweaking the monitoring mode or fine-tuning picture high quality. You’ll be able to regulate ISO, shutter velocity, white steadiness, and refresh fee, in addition to play with its AI options. The software program additionally helps integration with instruments just like the Elgato Stream Deck, letting you arrange presets for various angles or zoom ranges on the push of a button.
Whereas the AI-driven monitoring round a room is nearly flawless, the autofocus leaves one thing to be desired. Whereas it technically works, it isn’t as snappy or correct as autofocus present in higher-end and dearer fashions. There’s noticeable focus searching and occasional warping, which may be distracting when attempting to current or strolling round. It’s one of many few compromises they clearly made to maintain the worth so low.
Obsbot Tiny SE webcam: Worth & availability
- How a lot does it value? $99 / £109 / AU$199
- When is it obtainable? Obtainable now
- The place are you able to get it? The US, UK, and Australia
Right here’s the place the Obsbot Tiny SE hits it out of the park: the worth. At $99 / £109 / AU$199, this webcam is preventing method above its weight class. Comparable fashions with comparable options and gimbal monitoring typically value considerably extra. The Tiny SE offers a budget-friendly choice for many who need monitoring with out the premium price ticket.
Obsbot Tiny SE webcam: Specs
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
HP 325 FHD webcam |
|---|---|
|
Worth: |
$99 / £109 / AU$199 |
|
Supported resolutions: |
1080p at 100fps, 720p at 120fps |
|
Sensor: |
1/2.8-inch stacked CMOS, f/1.8 aperture |
|
Area of view: |
78 levels |
|
Connection: |
USB-C |
|
Options: |
Gesture management, AI auto-tracking, AI autofocus |
|
Software program Integration: |
Obsbot Middle, Elgato Stream Deck |
Do you have to purchase the Obsbot Tiny SE webcam?
|
Worth |
With an inexpensive price ticket for its wealthy function set, the Tiny SE is nice worth for cash. |
4.5 / 5 |
|
Design |
With a pleasant clear aesthetic and near-silent gimbal motion, the Tiny SE is a well-designed piece of {hardware}. |
4 / 5 |
|
Efficiency |
Though the autofocus leaves quite a bit to be desired, the opposite options and normal picture high quality are wonderful. |
4 / 5 |
|
Avarage score |
Regardless of its smart pricing, the Obsbot Tiny SE is a venerable alternative of webcam with nice total efficiency. |
4 / 5 |
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Obsbot Tiny SE webcam: Additionally think about
How I examined the Obsbot Tiny SE webcam
- Examined the webcam in video calls
- Spent some time experimenting with the gesture command function
- In contrast picture high quality to different webcams
I used the Obsbot Tiny SE for video calls and normal picture high quality testing, in addition to attempting it out with numerous lighting ranges to see how nicely it carried out. I additionally tried out the gesture controls, and did some side-by-side comparisons with different webcams the provide the identical decision.
- First reviewed March 2025