Canon recently introduced software that you can download to use your EOS interchangeable lens camera or PowerShot camera as a high-quality USB webcam.
As more and more people rely on virtual meetings, one issue they’ve faced is the low quality of cameras on their devices. Especially for professionals who are dependent on high-quality video during their video conferencing calls, this has become a prominent issue.
One solution would be to buy an external webcam, but here’s another idea. If you have a Canon camera you might be able to use it as a webcam, instead.
To make this possible, Canon has unveiled the EOS Webcam Utility Beta software, which lets owners of “select EOS Interchangeable Lens Cameras (ILC) and PowerShot cameras” connect them via USB and turn them into webcams.
Related | Nikon Offers Free Online Photography Classes For All
According to Canon’s announcement, the beta software will help people “improve their video appearance while using popular video conferencing applications in the market, delivering clarity and high-image quality.”
After downloading the software all you have to do is connect your supported ILS or PowerShot camera with a USB to your computer and configure to use the camera in your chosen video-conferencing application – Zoom, BlueJeans, Microsoft Teams, and others.
“In unprecedented times, it’s imperative for Canon to provide our customers with useful, simple and accessible solutions to assist them in whatever imaging needs they have,” said Tatsuro “Tony” Kano, executive vice president of the Canon U.S.A., Inc. Imaging Technologies & Communications Group. “Our goal is that the EOS Webcam Utility Beta software can help reduce some of the remote workday stress for employees who are tasked with video conferencing and virtual meetings.”
How to use your Canon Camera as a Webcam
For the time being, only computers running a 64-bit version of Windows 10 are supported, but Canon says it may be adding versions for other operating systems at a later date. Mac users can still use a capture card to connect their Canon cameras.
Some other limitations to note: Some users have noticed that the software doesn’t work with Skype. Therefore, it might not work with other applications as well. You will need to check your preferred video conferencing solution.
EOS Webcam Utility Beta – Compatible Cameras
Currently, cameras compatible with the EOS Webcam Utility Beta software are the following:
- EOS-1D X Mark III
- EOS-1D X Mark II
- EOS 5DS R
- EOS 5DS
- EOS 5D Mark IV
- EOS R
- EOS 6D Mark II
- EOS RP
- EOS 7D Mark II
- EOS 90D
- EOS 80D
- EOS 77D
- EOS Rebel T7i
- EOS Rebel T6i
- EOS Rebel T7
- EOS Rebel T6
- EOS Rebel SL3
- EOS Rebel SL2
- EOS Rebel T100
- EOS M6 Mark II
- EOS M50
- EOS M200
- PowerShot G5X Mark II
- PowerShot G7X Mark III
- PowerShot SX70 HS
To download the software, just visit canon.us/livestream.