Fujifilm has released its software for Mac that enables its X-series mirrorless cameras to be used as high-quality webcams.
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The Fujifilm X Webcam tool was initially released for Windows PCs in May. Fujifilm later said it would offer a Mac version in mid-July due to the "overwhelming response" of its customers when it released the app for PC.
Fujifilm, Canon and Panasonic have developed software that brings webcam functionality to their cameras. The cameras are connected via a USB cable and offer a sharper picture for video calls.
Fujifilm has expanded the number of X-series mirrorless cameras that work with its Fujifilm X Webcam software, with the X-T200 and X-A7 now supported. Other cameras already supported include the X-H1, X-Pro2, X-Pro3, X-T2, X-T3, and X-T4. Fujifilm X Webcam also works with all three GFX medium format cameras.
Fujifilm lists the X Webcam software as compatible with Chrome and Edge browsers, with support for Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Skype, and Messenger Rooms.
Top Rated Comments
I'm sorry but no this isn't just for "vloggers." For anyone who has to use a webcam for a professional purpose (business meetings, conferences, interviews, etc) Apple's Mac webcams are pretty embarrassing by modern standards.I suppose this will be helpful for the "Vloggers".
For the standard user, I think they will stay with the simplicity of the embedded webcams. Almost all macs (except the mac mini) have one.
Trust me I've tried both (along with the iPhone front/back cameras) and can honestly say using a a Fujifilm Camera (or really any ILC) is a monumental improvement if you care at all about looking professional.
Most dSLR and mirrorless cameras are also serious video cameras these days. I'm a professional wedding photographer and about 75% of the videographers I shoot with shoot exclusively on either dSLR systems or mirrorless. Some of the most popular are the Panasonic GH4 and GH5, the Fuji X-T3 and X-T4 and the Canon 5D series. They're absolutely designed to capture video over long periods.Finally a smart idea to help the Camerachips to fail faster. They weren't designed to be permanent image capture chips.
Sony seems to have a little more customer responsibility.
The thing that fails on cameras is generally the mechanical shutter, not the CMOS itself.
Canon are today releasing the R5 which will shoot 8K video. Modern sensors can absolutely handle being a webcam.
Basically the summaries of these two articles should give you a pretty clear idea:What's a mirrorless camera? Well, I mean, it's obvious what it is, but why is it good to not have mirrors inside cameras?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single-lens_reflex_camera
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirrorless_interchangeable-lens_camera
Basically it can be summarized as, in the past a mirror was necessary so that you could look through the viewfinder and see through the lens, roughly a decade ago technology progressed to the degree that such an analog approach has slowly (particularly in the last few years) become unnecessary (as you can now just send a digital feed to the viewfinder in realtime with almost no downsides) for all but a few applications (although some people PREFER an optical viewfinder instead of an electronic one)