Obsbot’s new gimbal webcam doesn’t justify its $350 worth

Webcam firm Obsbot just lately launched two new gimbal-equipped webcams, the $349 Tiny 3 and the $199 Tiny 3 Lite. It claims that the priciest mannequin is the smallest pan, tilt, zoom (PTZ) 4K webcam ever made, weighing 63 grams. Ironically, the Tiny 3 Lite is heavier and greater. I’ve been testing the Tiny 3 for a few weeks, and right here’s what it’s best to learn about it.

Compared to Insta360’s newish $249 Link 2 Pro, the Tiny 3 has a barely larger sensor and extra AI-powered options, together with voice management and voice monitoring. It additionally has MEMS mics, that are supposedly higher than condenser mics at filtering undesirable noise, and Obsbot claims they’re pretty much as good as a devoted microphone. I solely have my Insta360 Link from 2022 available to match it to. And whereas the Tiny 3 can produce a sharper picture than the Link, it’s not a night-and-day distinction primarily based on my testing with closing retail {hardware}.

You can boss each the Tiny 3 and the Lite round with preset questions (“Hi, Tiny” to activate, “Sleep, Tiny” to show off, “Track Me” to activate AI-powered face monitoring, “Position 1” to snap to a saved digital camera place, and so on.), however solely the pricier mannequin has Desk Mode that lets it look downward as a result of the Lite’s base is simply too thick (the unique Link has a Desk Mode, too). The Tiny 3 listens remarkably effectively, even once I form of mutter the instructions. Although, seeing it begin to observe my face once I uttered the phrase “track me” throughout a gathering was bizarre sufficient that I turned off the voice management function. They each promote 4K / 30 frames per second video seize and as much as 120 frames per second at 1080p. They additionally help the Switch 2, however require the companion app to toggle on the mode. Enabling that mode units 1080p as the utmost decision on PC till you disable it.

The Tiny 3 has a barely wider area of view, and its ISO can go larger (12800 versus 6400 most ISO) in dimly lit rooms. It packs a 1/1.28-inch sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and a 24-millimeter equal focal size, that are enhancements over the last-gen mannequin, nonetheless incremental. Bigger sensors can seize extra gentle, presenting photographs with much less noise. Those features weren’t all that noticeable throughout my testing, however they may be for others, since everybody’s work space seems to be completely different.

Video seize at 4K / 30 frames per second seems to be tremendous on the Tiny 3 in video calls. It produces sharper footage than the Lite and the Link, and as seen within the uncooked stills captured by means of Obsbot’s software program, it’s higher at resolving shadows seen in my wrinkled long-sleeve shirt. The stills ought to illustrate simply how shut all of them are in visible high quality. There are variations in how they deal with distinction, however I don’t assume the $350 mannequin is the clear winner in both snapshot pattern. That’s actually notable contemplating my Insta360 Link is about 3 years previous.

As beforehand talked about, the corporate claims the webcam’s MEMS mic array (two directional, one omnidirectional) can rival efficiency from a standalone mic. They sound good, however I couldn’t inform the distinction till I picked up my guitar and began strumming. I might hear particular person plucks of guitar strings by means of the Tiny 3’s mic higher than the Link that I’ve available. The additional element is good, though in the event you’re primarily utilizing the Tiny 3 for video calls, it’s more likely to get compressed, sadly. Also, most individuals who care about how their voices or devices sound probably have already got a standalone mic.

I’d be extra impressed with the Tiny 3 if it have been priced extra competitively. But even then, I’d be reluctant to suggest it given the state of its companion app. To put it evenly, it’s an overstuffed mess to navigate, with helpful options nested in tough-to-find locations subsequent to ones you’ll probably by no means contact once more.

I get that webcams more and more have a ton of options, and whereas I’m not arguing towards extra options to justify excessive costs, it’s as much as these firms to make a webcam’s options straightforward to make use of, particularly if you’re in a rush earlier than or throughout a name. Insta360 has figured this out, and Obsbot has not.