Bobby interviews Elizabeth Crispina Johnson, author of And Then Nicholas Sang and What Do You Hear, Angel?

Bobby Maddex interviews Dr. Albert Rossi, the residential clinical psychologist at St. Vladimir’s Seminary and the author of the new AFP book Becoming a Healing Presence.

Bobby Maddex interviews Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick, author of the new AFP book Bearing God: The Life and Works of St. Ignatius of Antioch the God-Bearer.

Bobby Maddex interviews Fr. Antonios Kaldas and Ireni Attia, the authors of the new AFP book Two Become One: An Orthodox Christian Guide to Engagement and Marriage.

On a new Ex Libris, the podcast of Ancient Faith Publishing, Bobby Maddex interviews Megan Elizabeth Gilbert, the creator of Beautiful Things: An Orthodox Coloring Book for Children.

Dr. John Mark addresses questions about the perception of God appearing nastier in the Old Testament than the New Testament.

Dr. John Mark Reynolds talks about the importance of education--learning to think well--in our society.

Do "doctors of death" need any specialized training to diagnosis and prescribe lethal drugs to patients who want to die?

Should aspects of nature be given the same kind of rights as human beings?

If you’re a remote worker, or even work remotely part-time, you can step up your video conference game by investing in a good webcam. Built-in cameras on laptops and desktops have improved in recent years, but you typically still get higher quality and more personalized controls with an external webcam. And if you plan on video chatting with friends across the country or game-streaming regularly, you’ll want the best webcam experience possible. But there’s a lot of junk out there, as is typical in an overcrowded space. In this buying guide, we'll dive into the best webcams that will help you look sharp, no matter where you're dialing in from.

Factors to consider before buying a webcam

Resolution and field of view

While some newer computers have 1080p webcams, most built-in cameras have a resolution of 720p, so you’ll want to look for an external webcam that has a higher resolution. FHD webcams will give you better video quality; ideally, you’re looking for something that can handle 1080p at 60fps or 30fps. If you’re considering a cheap 720p webcam, make sure to get one that supports at least 30fps (most will) or, even better, 60fps. However, if your primary concern is better picture quality during video calls, 1080p is the way to go.

Some webcams can shoot in 4K, but that’s overkill for most people. Not to mention most video conferencing services like Zoom, Google Meet and Skype don’t even support 4K video. When it comes to streaming, Twitch maxes out at 1080p video, but YouTube added 4K live streaming back in 2016. Ultimately, with 4K webcam shots having such limited use, most people can get by with a solid 1080p camera.

Field of view (FOV) controls how much can fit in the frame when you’re recording. Most webcams I tested had a default field of view of around 78 degrees, which captured me and enough of my background to prove that I really need to organize my home office. On cheaper webcams you’ll usually see narrower fields of view (around 60 degrees), and those aren’t necessarily bad. They won’t show as much of your background, but that also means you won’t be able to squeeze as many friends or family members into frame when you’re having Zoom birthday parties. On the flip side, more expensive webcams may let you adjust the field of view to be even wider than average, and some even offer features like digital zoom.

Autofocus and other “auto” features

Webcams with autofocus will keep the image quality sharp without much work on your part. You should be able to move around, step back and forth, and remain in focus the whole time. Some standalone webcam models let you manually adjust focus, too, if you have specific needs. Devices with fixed focus are less convenient, but they tend to be more affordable.

In the same vein is auto framing, a feature that some high-end webcams now offer. Similarly to Apple’s Center Stage feature, the camera automatically adjusts to keep you in the center of the frame even as you move around. This used to be a feature only available on the most premium webcams, but now you can find it on sub-$200 devices.

You’ll also see other “auto” features listed in webcam specs, most notably auto light correction. This will adjust the camera’s settings to make up for a dimly lit room. If you don’t have bright lights, or often take calls in places where you can’t control the lighting, this feature will be valuable. Alternatively, you might consider using your mirrorless camera as a high-quality webcam solution, taking all of the benefits and features with you (albeit in a cumbersome package).

Microphones

Most webcams have built-in microphones that, depending on your setup, might end up being closer to you than your computer’s own mics. Check to see if the model you’re considering has mono or stereo mics, as the latter is better. Some even use noise-reduction technology to keep your voice loud and clear. While audiophiles and streamers will want to invest in a standalone microphone, most others can get by using a webcam’s built-in mic.

Design

There aren’t a ton of fascinating breakthroughs when it comes to external webcam design. Most are round or rectangular devices that clip onto a monitor or your laptop screen. Some have the ability to swivel or screw onto a tripod stand and others can simply sit on your desk beside your computer. But unless you really like having people stare up your nose, the latter isn’t ideal. We recommend clipping your webcam to your monitor and ensuring that it’s at or slightly above eye level.

A few webcams go above and beyond by adding hardware extras like built-in lights and lens covers, too. The former can help you stand out in a dark room, while the latter makes it so hackers can’t view you through your webcam without your knowledge.

Price

Most external webcams that are just good enough to be a step up from your computer’s built-in camera cost between $60 and $150. If the webcam has the same resolution as the internal one on your laptop, you should look out for other specs like auto light correction, a wider field of view or an extra-long connecting cable that can provide a step-up in quality or ease of use.

Spending $150 or more means you might get advanced features that tend to be present in a pro webcam like 4K resolution, vertical and horizontal recording options, stereo mics, customizable video settings and more. But unless you’re spending hours on video calls each day or streaming multiple times each week, you can settle on a budget webcam and safely skip most of those high-end options.

How we test webcams

We primarily test webcams by putting them through as much real-world use as possible. We examine their design, how flexible they are and how easy they are to reposition, and make note of how heavy they are and if that affects their ability to stay put while sitting on top of a screen. We use each webcam for at least a week straight as our primary camera for all video chats, and we make sure to use the device in different lighting environments to test low-light performance. We also use any built-in microphones as our primary audio inputs on video calls as well. Finally, although most of these webcams are plug-and-play, we test out any proprietary software that’s intended to work with each webcam, tweaking things like field of view, video resolution and effects, and using any special features like Show Mode on Logitech webcams.

Best webcams for 2024

Others webcams we tested

Logitech C920s Pro HD

Our previous top pick, the Logitech C920s Pro HD webcam remains a solid option for those with less than $100 to spend and really only need a basic 1080p camera to upgrade their setup, or something affordable to make them look better on those inevitable Zoom calls. It has a 78-degree field of view, decent microphones and handy privacy shutter built in. The Brio 500 took the top spot away from this model thanks to its advanced light correction, auto-framing and Show Mode.

It’s 2024, and chances are you know at least one person who works remotely in some fashion. While the WFH life has its perks — nobody likes a long commute — it certainly comes with its own set of challenges, from lacking pro-level equipment to dealing with household disturbances. If you’re looking to give a gift to someone who spends much of their time in their home office, we’ve rounded up a few techy gift ideas that should make their days a little more delightful, or at least easier to manage.

Check out the rest of our gift ideas here.

Dr. Rossi talks about the jungle of wicked thoughts in our minds and the need to not judge others.

Today Dr. Rossi reflects on the importance of beauty and in particular of creating beauty in our lives.

Dr. Rossi reviews the new book by Fr. John Behr: Becoming Human.

Dr. Rossi interviews the parish priest at St. Justin Martyr Orthodox Church in Jacksonville about parish life, outreach, and evangelism.

Dr. Rossi talks about the pre-marital communications period and how important it is to understand your future spouse.

What role do bells play in the Orthodox Church? Dr. Rossi tells us and gives a brief history of their use.

Dr. Rossi reflects upon an interaction that he had with his granddaughter and Jesus' call to become like a little child.

Dr. Rossi reflects on the life and ministry of Fr. Thomas Hopko. This podcast is Part 1 of 2.

Dr. Rossi shares remembrances of Fr. Thomas Hopko from his friends and family along with some of Fr. Tom's maxims. This podcast is part 2 of 2.

Dr. Albert Rossi interviews Dr. Peter Bouteneff about his new book titled, How to Become a Sinner, published by St. Vladimir's Press. Dr. Bouteneff is the Director of the Master of Arts Program and Professor of Systematic Theology at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in Yonkers, NY.

Dr. Albert Rossi interviews Fr. John Behr (Director of the Master of Theology Program and the Father Georges Florovsky Distinguished Professorship of Patristics at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in Yonkers, NY) on a homily he gave on the Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas.

Dr. Albert Rossi interviews Rev. Dr. Anthony G. Roeber, Professor of Church History at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, on the topic of "Boundaries and Frontiers Within the Church."

Dr. Albert Rossi reflects on how we can be a healing presence during these dark times in our world.

Dr. Albert Rossi shares his thoughts on what it means to become like a child in order to inherit the Kingdom of God.

Dr. Albert Rossi encourages us to be aware of the ways in which our thoughts are directing the course of our lives, both towards evil and good, and calls us to embrace those thoughts which align our lives with the thoughts of Christ.

Dr. Albert Rossi considers the difference between suffering and pain, and how we can be set free from suffering even during the pain of life.

Dr. Albert Rossi encourage us to assume the best of others, seeking to love all who come into our lives, while resisting a judgmental spirit.

Dr. Albert Rossi encourages us to avoid the savior complex and instead to be gentle with ourselves as we seek to grow in Christ.

Dr. Rossi explores what Jesus meant when he said, "Be ye perfect."

Dr. Rossi interviews Nico Bezzerides, a student at Dartmouth who has taken the fall semester off to do missionary work in Gulu, Uganda, with Fr. Simon Menya.

On a new episode of Ancient Faith Commentaries, Fr. Lawrence Farley, priest at Saint Herman of Alaska Orthodox Church in Langley, B.C., describes and recounts the history of the Church of the Nativity in the now embattled and besieged town of Bethlehem.

Fr. Lawrence Farley points out that the Church associates the destruction of the Temple with the Cross to demonstrate how prophecy becomes history.

Fr. Lawrence Farley argues that we must show love for all people—male or female, straight or gay or transgendered—but as we articulate and transmit our Christian culture to our young and to our catechumens, we must also take care to include a traditional understanding of gender.

Three "Sayings from the Desert Fathers," two by Abba Elias and one by Abba Joseph, reveal the way of freedom in the spiritual life, and the truly transfiguring nature of authentic prayer.

In this fourth week of the Great Fast, when the Church commemorates the universal adoration of the precious Cross, our broadcast looks at an important passage by St Symeon the New Theologian, on being joined to the suffering Christ and so attaining the "impossible beauty" of His glory. We ask with the saint: how shall we approach such glory?

What are we to make of the Genesis account of Cain and Abel? In this broadcast, Fr. Matthew examines a portion of St Cyprian of Carthage's Treatise on the Lord's Prayer that shows forth Abel as the first martyr, the example of true self-sacrifice. And it is a lesson with a practical aim: the quenching of anger and hatred, and the discovery of a life offered more wholly to God.

In this season of Christ's incarnate coming in the flesh, we take a moment to reflect, through the words of St. Cyril of Alexandria, on the role of the Virgin Theotokos in the nativity of the true God, Jesus Christ.

In this season of Christ’s incarnate coming in the flesh, we take a moment to reflect, through the words of St. Cyril of Alexandria, on the role of the Virgin Theotokos in the nativity of the true God, Jesus Christ.