For some time now the market for webcam it seemed saturated and almost completely replaced by mirrorless cameras. This is especially true in the streaming sector, but it is also true that the users of these devices are of the most varied types and, also thanks to the world pandemic and videoconferencing increasingly on the agenda, anyone may need a good product to use. as a video interface.
Arozzi, a well-known manufacturer of gaming chairs and peripherals of all kinds, enters the webcam market with this dual need in mind. Two products made for this first round, identical as regards the hardware and differentiated only by the equipment or not of a small ring light which increases the potential for creators and non-creators. € 79 for the basic version and € 129 for the one including ring light, with a more than competitive price for the entire reference range.
Specifications
We start as usual from technical specifications of the webcam. The two versions are absolutely identical in terms of visual rendering. It is a webcam capable of capturing an image at 1080p and 30 FPS, a resolution that is managed natively and without compression, having available different codecs ranging from the classic H.264, passing through the more performing big brother H. 265 and also arriving at the YUV. No sixty frames per second, but it is also true that in the field of image acquisition - not speaking of audiovisual material in general - it is a frequency more than sufficient for almost all uses.
The sensor is a classico CMOS well-made, coupled with an autofocus mode and a respectable focal length that will allow anyone to better manage their spaces. In this respect we were really satisfied, obviously making compromises with the usual aspects of a webcam: zooming the image too much will produce a greater aperture and the need for more efficient lighting, but the freedom of choice and the zoom-like stroke and manual focus (more unique than rare on a webcam) are details not to be underestimated.
On the other hand, a proprietary software - of which you can find an image accompanying it in this article. Currently the webcams adapt to the classic internal control of Windows 10 - operating system on which we tested the product - thus being able to manage all the classic values ranging from brightness to gain, as well as white balance and sharpness.
Eye is also equipped with two microphones, so as to allow those who do not need studio audio to use the webcam directly with a quality that is certainly above the average for the category.
In terms of fixing, Occhio allows both anchoring to various objects, through the clamp pre-installed on the camera, and the possibility of using any tripod with a 1/4 inch pin. Note the more than welcome possibility to rotate the camera by 360 degrees by means of a spherical head, an element not at all common to the category and which allows it to be positioned and then rotated almost anywhere, without inconveniences common to this type of product. . Do not exaggerate the dimensions and weight: we remain within 10 cm for the width and 6,5 cm for the height including the stand. Obviously these measures go up dramatically in the version including the ring light, which surrounds the webcam and which makes it a unique element that does not require additional light sources.
Arozzi Occhio data sheet
- Maximum supported resolution: 1080p 30fps
- Opening: f / 2.5
- Depth of Field: from 8cm to infinity with autofocus
- Field of view: 90 ° (diagonal)
- Sensor: CMOS
- Connectivity: USB 2.0 (o superiore), Type A
- dimensions: 97 x 6 x 5 mm con supporto
- Operating System: Windows XP/ VISTA/Win7/Win8/ Win10, Linux 2.6.24, Ubuntu 14.04, Mac OS 10.6
- Price: 79,99 € - € 129,99
Design
Speaking in terms of design Occhio does not particularly enhance its characteristics, focusing on an elliptical and non-invasive chassis, with a long USB 2.0 cable already anchored to the camera and not interchangeable. On the front there are two indicators useful to understand if the webcam is connected and active, both for what concerns the video and for the audio of the two internal microphones. A minimal design but in our opinion very successful, which makes it pleasant to see and sufficiently discreet.
The RL version it differs, as mentioned, by the presence of a ring light that surrounds the camera and which therefore provides a further physical control on the webcam itself. In the upper part there is in fact an infinity button that manages intensity and color temperatures lighting. By touching it you will switch from off to on and then from warm light, to neutral to the coldest one. By holding down on the upper part, where there is a simple symbol of illumination, it will be possible to increase the intensity. Pressing it again will obviously decrease.
To conclude the kit there is a comfortable magnetic cover, well made, useful to obscure the recovery. It is this element, together with the physical microphone switch, that guarantees 100% privacy. An element strongly desired by Arozzi as the cornerstone of the communication behind this line of webcams.
Experience of use
As for theuser experience, Occhio does not differ from what the webcams of this category have accustomed us to. The lack of its own dedicated software makes it immediate to use, but at the same time also less customizable. We tested the room on different applications, including Discord, Skype and of course OBS Studio and every time the acquisition was instant and smooth. There would also seem to be no incompatibility problems with other similar instruments, risks that are sometimes encountered in this market segment.
The basic version features a simple USB 2.0 type A connector, while the RL version requires a double USB input, so as to power both the camera and the light. Nothing prevents you from activating just one or the other with just one connector when needed.
Image quality
The image acquired by the camera is clean and also sufficiently bright, certainly more than the average of webcams of the same price. There focus and zoom they range from fair to great based on how much you decide to abuse them. Obviously forget the bokeh effect that you could achieve thanks to a camera, but it is also true that in that case, in addition to the cost of the simple camera body, you would be required to buy a level lens, capable of returning a quality effect. It is therefore not possible to compare the 2 options from a budget point of view and we will therefore avoid telling you which configuration is better: it depends exclusively on your wallet and what you need. The only element on which the camera has not totally convinced us is the sharpness. This is difficult to adjust, to the point that increasing its value even slightly risks creating that classic artifact that ruins the rendering of the image.
Audio
A separate discussion should instead be made for what concerns the audio: a double microphone allows you to acquire a sufficiently clean audio and far superior to the average of the webcams of the same price range, but obviously remains far from a quality necessary today for those who creates content on the web, be it video on demand or streaming. The presence of the physical switch for the exclusion of microphones is an absolutely welcome addition and we would like to reward it.
Compatibility
In terms of compatibility we have tested it on Windows 10 where it did not create any kind of problem even when inserted in an OBS Studio scene with five different cameras. From this point of view, the immediacy of use and the compromise between quality and usability probably represent the real strong point.
Comment
Price 79,99 € / 129,99 €Resources4Gaming.com
7.5
Arozzi enters the webcam market by force with a double version of a quality entry level camera. The price range places it above all the alternatives of the same category, even if it is not a considered professional product, especially for those who live on web content or similar. The convenience of the RL version is as immediate as it is useful and allows Occhio RL to be chosen by many who need to better illuminate their face, with the addition of an excellent reflection inside the eye. If you are a novice web professional and need an audio and video communication tool, Occhio e Occhio RL could be a choice to be taken into serious consideration.
PRO
- Immediata e plug and play
- The version with ring light is comfortable and functional
- The lens cover and the physical audio switch will reassure even the most skeptical
- The spherical head allows you to position it as you want
- Proprietary software coming in mid-October and all to be verified
- The lack of 60 FPS could discourage the most demanding
