Webcams have gotten a heck of a lot better in just the last five years, more than making up for decades of previously lackluster improvements. Not only do modern webcams have better sensors and processing chips, we actually have gimbal-mounted models now that can track the speaker even if they’re moving around the room. While that capability usually meant a higher price tag, it’s also becoming more affordable now. Case in point, the new $99 Obsbot Tiny SE.
That’s right, Obsbot just released a very affordable PTZ camera with a two-axis gimbal, AI tracking, and other advanced features. It’s quite the significant upgrade from more traditional webcam setups, all while coming at a very approachable price point, making it an interesting upgrade for folks looking to improve the quality of their video calls, livestreams, or desktop video recordings.
The Obsbot Tiny SE is equipped with a 1/2.8-inch stacked CMOS sensor that features dual native ISO and 12-bit dynamic color range. It can stream video in 1080p at up to 100 fps, as well as 720p at up to 120 fps, with support for staggered HDR recording at up to 60 fps, which boasts reduce motion artifacts and enhanced dynamic range in challenging lighting conditions. The camera is mounted on a two-axis gimbal that allows it to pan up to 140 degrees and tilt from 30 to -70 degrees to ensure perfectly stable footage, with AI tracking allowing the camera to automatically move and follow the subject all on its own. It can even perform automatic zooming whenever you get further or closer to the webcam to maintain the desired framing.
Speaking of framing, you can set it to focus the framing on the upper body, closeup, neck down, lower body, or hands. Whenever you want it to reset the desired framing, all you need to do is perform a predefined gesture to lock in the tracking target, then use another predefined gesture to adjust the zoom. Do note, it only offers up to 4X digital zoom, with no optical option, so zooming isn’t exactly ideal with this webcam.
The Obsbot Tiny SE also allows you to define non-tracking areas in the room where the camera won’t continue tracking, giving you a place to get some privacy even while in the middle of a video call. All your settings can be saved as a preset, by the way, so you can simply choose it to go back to those exact settings at a later time. The webcam supports both landscape and portrait shooting modes, as well as an upside down mode for quickly flipping the video without any manual adjustments.
It comes with a remote for more detailed control while you’re moving around, along with a number of video enhancements you can apply in real-time via the OBSBOT Center app. Other features include an integrated stand that can be mounted directly on a monitor, a threaded slot on the bottom for use with tripods, a built-in mic with noise reduction and voice boost tech, and multi-webcam switching support.
The Obsbot Tiny SE is available now.
