Today, Nikon has announced the release of a beta version of its Webcam Utility software for numerous Nikon DSLR and Z series mirrorless cameras.
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Similar to the webcam utility software released by Canon, Nikon and others, Nikon’s Webcam Utility makes it possible to use the live view from your camera as a webcam feed for use with video conferencing programs such as Skype and Zoom, as well as livestreaming production programs such as OBS Studio.
For now, Nikon’s Webcam Utility is available only for computers running 64-bit versions of Windows 10. Below are the Nikon DSLR and mirrorless cameras currently supported:
Z7
Z6
Z5
Z50
D6
D850
D780
D500
D7500
D5600
Being this is a beta (version 0.9.0 — not even a version 1.0 product), don’t be surprised if you come across a bug every once in a while. You can find out more information and download the beta Webcam Utility for free from Nikon’s website.
I just tried this, and if you already have SparkOCam you can forget about "Nikon Webcam Utility". It works, but there's no UI or any remote control of the camera; you have to adjust everything manually on the camera which - in my case is mounted on a tripod behind the monitor and facing towards me so fiddling with ISO, aperture and shutter is very awkward. It doesn't do any of the fun stuff like green screen, text onscreen etc., it's just a video feed and nothing else.
Please consider if the selection of supported cameras might have technical reasons. Maybe only usb 3.0 capable cameras are supported? haven't checked the list. Or the older cameras simply don't have the ability to stream video over usb?
About the usefulness: Video conferencing is only one of many uses. The utility hopefully isn't restricted to typical webcam applications. I could imagine using this for 3d scanning, where i need a high quality video stream. uncompressed would be perfect. And there are more uses.
Has any tried the beta yet? any experiences so far?
I have a D7000, D7200, and a D750 all not included in the compatible list. It does not matter cause I'm not going to use hundreds of dollars of equipment to use for a feature that can be done better using a 20 dollar webcam.
Seems to work just fine with the Z6 and Microsoft Teams. Not sure about the best settings- continuous AF only if set to movie? Also having some new settings issues with my separate mic to the computer; not sure if it's webcam software related or Windows update related or something else. Resetting the sampling and depth seemed to fix it.
Just one thing I've been thinking about. Would it not be better to use a web cam for stuff like video conferencing and such. The web is slow enough why do we need to try and stream at higher resolutions when all we want to do is hold a bl**dy meeting.
Most of the stuff on you tube doesn't really warrant any thing more than HD do we need or even want 4k captures of video game or worse a 4 k headshot of someone talking about a video game.
Its kind of like 40mp snap shots of a birthday party really is there any need.
Sadly, webcam makers are lazy when it comes to giving proper sensors and lenses for their webcam. consider this, for the price of a decent webcam, you can buy a budget smartphone which will have a built in camera that will look better than the USB webcam.
If they want to cheap out, why can't a company like logitech buy a bunch of camera modules from the Google Pixel 3 smartphones, and create a USB interface for it and turn it into a USB webcam?
I think the idea is that lots of folks who have compatible DSLRs or Z-series cameras don't have webcams (let's ignore for a moment that most laptops come with one, -I'm thinking more of people who just have a desktop computer w/o a webcam) a way of using those cameras instead of having to buy a separate webcam. Considering how many people are stuck at home now doing things over Zoom, etc., this webcam app serves a real need. And some webcams may be in short supply for the same reasons.
Generally, a decent webcam will be fine for Zoom calls, but if you have the equipment it's nice to have the option of using it. You can imagine some people streaming from studio environments or other semi-pro setups who would like the DOF and focal length lens options.
I agree that using a DSLR for everyday Zoom calls is overkill. But if you are an amateur content producer on Twitch/YouTube/etc, having a decent camera that you can livestream easily like a webcam is appealing. Just like most such folks eventually pick up better mics and lighting, being able to shoot with some decent glass and have it captured straight to a capture app nicely streamlines the process.
Downloaded, maybe someday I will use it. The little webcam is fine for GoToMeeting. This is more for YT streamer. No Camera maker needs to add heat sink/ fan into the camera.
I find Panasonic's "live stream" version of tether to be pretty useless. It has a ton of latency, and really all it does is add a tethering option that leaves off the control overlays that you can use via OBS. Fortunately, I found a YouTube review on a cheap HDMI USB capture card that has low latency. I haven't tried it with my Z6, but it works fine with my G9's HDMI output..https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daS5RHVAl2U
I just need some kind of a AC adapter (from Nikon or anyone else) for my Z50 - and I'm good. That said, I do get over two hours runtime streaming 1080 30p from my Z50 to either my El Gato Camlink 4K or Blackmagic ATEM Mini. My Z6 goes nearly three hours. I think the HDMI solutions out there are probably better choices for live streaming than a USB webcam utility in terms of IQ - but I could be wrong.
Probably won’t get approval to install this on my work laptop. Not going to bother asking either though, since overheating makes it (and most other system cameras) useless as a webcam for meetings.
I've been using a D500 as a webcam for several months, sometimes for most of the day in Zoom meetings. No problem with overheating. You can try leaving the rear LCD pulled away.
Tethertools Case Relay with a Nikon dummy battery. This is plugged into a USB power adapter, works well. Now that I think about it, this arrangement takes battery heat out of the body and may help with overheating.
Overheating? Not on my D750. I'm using an HDMI > USB hardware capture device. As for battery life, I use a battery grip with two batteries, or you could get a dummy battery or AC power adaptor.
From Nikon: • The camera temperature may rise and live view may end after periods of extended use. Wait for the camera to cool. • Using live view increases the drain on the battery.
Seem good enough for about 20 minutes video conferencing, most of my ZOOM sessions are more than 2 hours long using my iPad. I think I give it a big miss.
I understand people that do online training or online conferences for business might want to use this. As an enthusiast, I have no use for this software, and since I have 4 HD PTZ security netcams, I will probably never use any of my Nikon cameras for web use. Again, I"m just stating MY usage- why would I want to heat up my camera and camera sensor and components and shorten the life of my high quality photography cameras to stream video? For companies that need it, great, but I'm not one of them and won't fall for it. Wear out my $2k camera for what a $89.00 webcam can do....
If you can link me to a source citing a single example of someone "wearing out" their sensor from extended video output, I'd take you seriously. But seriously, its 2020. Video is king now.
I fired it up on my Z50. Not too bad, although there is some delay... not sure if that's from Zoom or the camera or the interface. Quality is solid however.
OF COURSE the program would only work in Windows, and OF COURSE only be compatible with the immediate current lineup of bodies, despite anything going back to the D90 probably working just fine.
Honestly, Nikon might as well have not even bothered to release this. What a middle finger to their customer base.
They might as well make it just for their mirrorless system which they are desperate to push.
In their defense most hardware producers make terrible software, to the point that they seem to do it deliberately in order to encourage third party developers to expand the ecosystem.
In this case I'm inclined to believe that Nikon did this on purpose because they think that we will spring for a $2000 body just to live stream.
Well, every other camera company gave the same middle finger to their customer bases. So far, Canon, Fuji, and Olympus have introduced utilities like this, and all came out for Windows before Mac, and all support a limited number of mostly current bodies.
Mac OS versions have followed a couple of months later for Canon and Fuji. So let's see if Nikon does the same in the next 2-3 months. It's also possible they will expand compatibility as they get a chance to test and certify more cameras.
But, yeah I get it, typing caustic criticism on the internet is fun.
Rune M "In this case I'm inclined to believe that Nikon did this on purpose because they think that we will spring for a $2000 body just to live stream."
Did you look at the list of supported cameras the D5600 is sub $600 , the Sub $900 Z50 is also supported. i doubt anyone with even half a brain would be rushing out to buy a ILC just because it can replace a webcam
No Mac support? Why do Japanese companies always think there are no other users than Windows users.... My gosh a large portion of professionals does actually use a different OS than Windows.
Windows accounts for about 3/4 of the computer OS industry. Now, if we're talking about just photographers, that might be a bit different (maybe more like 50/50) and there may be a Mac version coming as well later on.
But he asked about Sony. This is how Sony usually deals with updates even when it is possible via firmware. Their product support is one of the reasons for me to stay away from them. But that is of course to each his own.
@Lightright: Why should we have to do extra steps when other brands can hook up a camera and treat it like a webcam right away? It's not rocket science to want equivalent customer service.
@BrentShumer, it is not an extra step to install Imaging Edge Desktop app which is FREE to download and use. It also contains the drivers for Sony cameras to work as a webcam just like installing printer drivers so you can use your printers.
@BrentSchumer, afaik, it is a simple USB connection. Yes, you have to open the Imaging Edge Remote app so you can select Sony cameras as webcam in any conferencing application (zoom, skype, etc). Also make sure the USB connection settings in your camera is set to 'PC Remote' because the default is either 'Auto' or 'Mass storage' under the Setup tab. The only downside of this while using it is that your camera does not charge off the usb if you have it working properly since it is used for that purpose.
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