Overview

The Elgato Facecam 4K makes a bold choice: no microphone. Not a bad microphone, not a cheap microphone — no microphone at all. Elgato knows its audience. Streamers and content creators already have external mics, and a built-in webcam microphone would either go unused or tempt people to use inferior audio. So Elgato put that engineering budget into what matters: a Sony STARVIS 2 sensor that produces some of the best video in any webcam, an interchangeable lens filter system that no other webcam offers, and deep integration with the Elgato streaming ecosystem.

This is a camera built with a very specific user in mind. If that's you, it's outstanding. If it's not, there are more versatile options at this price.

Features Deep-Dive

Sony STARVIS 2 Sensor

The STARVIS 2 sensor is the star of the show. Originally designed for security cameras that need excellent low-light performance, the sensor produces 4K video with outstanding dynamic range and low noise. Colors are accurate and well-saturated without looking artificial. The wide dynamic range means the camera handles mixed lighting — a bright window behind you, a desk lamp in front — without blowing out highlights or crushing shadows. In pure image quality terms, the Facecam 4K trades blows with the Logitech MX Brio for the best in this roundup.

Interchangeable Lens Filter Mount

This is unique in the webcam market. The Facecam 4K accepts standard lens filters — ND filters to control depth of field in bright environments, diffusion filters for a softer, more cinematic look, or creative color filters for stylized streams. For streamers who want to differentiate their visual aesthetic, this is a genuine creative tool that no other webcam provides. The filter mount uses a magnetic system, so swapping filters takes seconds.

Elgato Camera Hub and Stream Deck Integration

Camera Hub provides granular control over every image parameter: exposure, white balance, contrast, saturation, sharpness, anti-flicker, and HDR modes. Settings can be saved as profiles and switched via the Elgato Stream Deck with a button press. For streamers who switch between different scenes, games, or lighting setups during a broadcast, the Stream Deck integration is transformative — change your camera settings as part of a scene transition without alt-tabbing.

Pricing Analysis

At $200, the Facecam 4K sits alongside the Logitech MX Brio and Insta360 Link 2. The MX Brio includes a microphone, privacy shutter, and slightly larger sensor — it's the more practical all-rounder. The Link 2 includes a gimbal, whiteboard mode, and AI tracking — it's the more versatile tool. The Facecam 4K's value is in its unique strengths: the STARVIS 2 sensor, the lens filter system, and the Elgato ecosystem integration. If you're already invested in Stream Deck and Elgato gear, the Facecam 4K slots in perfectly. If you're buying a standalone webcam, the missing microphone and lack of AI features make it harder to justify against more complete packages.

Who Is This For?

Elgato Facecam 4K works best for:

• Streamers in the Elgato ecosystem — if you already use a Stream Deck, Key Light, and Wave microphone, the Facecam 4K completes the setup with camera profiles that switch alongside your scenes
• Content creators who want creative control — the lens filter mount enables visual effects (depth of field, diffusion, color grading) that no other webcam can achieve without post-processing
• Audio purists who already own a quality microphone and appreciate that Elgato didn't compromise the camera with a mediocre built-in mic that might introduce interference

Who Should NOT Use This

Elgato Facecam 4K might not be the right choice if:

• You need an all-in-one solution — no microphone means you need a separate audio device. For video calls where you don't want to set up external gear, every other webcam in this roundup is more practical
• You want AI-powered features — the Facecam 4K has no auto-framing, no gesture controls, no whiteboard mode, and no background blur. At $200, the Insta360 Link 2 offers all of these plus a gimbal

Bottom Line

The Elgato Facecam 4K is a webcam designed by streamers, for streamers. The Sony STARVIS 2 sensor produces exceptional image quality, and the lens filter mount is a unique creative tool. The deliberate omission of a microphone is a bold choice — this is for creators who already have dedicated audio gear.

FAQ

Why doesn't the Facecam 4K have a microphone?

Elgato's position is that built-in webcam microphones are never good enough for serious content creation, and including one encourages compromised audio. Their target user already owns a dedicated microphone (like Elgato's own Wave series). The engineering resources that would go toward a microphone were instead directed at the sensor and lens filter system. It's a controversial choice that makes perfect sense for Elgato's core audience and no sense for general webcam buyers.

What kind of lens filters work with it?

The Facecam 4K uses a proprietary magnetic filter mount, and Elgato sells compatible ND filters and diffusion filters. The filter diameter is small enough that third-party options are limited, though creative users have adapted standard photography filters with step-down rings. ND filters are the most popular choice — they reduce light intake, which can create a shallower depth of field effect that makes your background slightly softer.

How does the Facecam 4K compare to the Logitech MX Brio?

Both are $200, image-quality-focused webcams without advanced AI features. The MX Brio has a slightly larger sensor (better low-light), includes a microphone and privacy shutter, and works with Logitech Tune. The Facecam 4K has the STARVIS 2 sensor (excellent dynamic range), the unique filter mount, and Stream Deck integration. For general use, the MX Brio is more practical. For streaming with Elgato gear, the Facecam 4K is the better fit.