Tired of using the low-res 720p FaceTime camera built-in to your MacBook Air, Pro, or iMac? Canon just expanded its beta software to macOS today that lets you use an EOS or PowerShot camera as your webcam for much-improved video quality.
How To Access The Camera On My Macbook Air
Apr 14, 2020 On your Mac, click the Apple menu and System Preferences, Security & Privacy, then click the Privacy tab. Select Camera from the left side, here you can allow apps to access your camera. Select the checkbox next to the app to turn on camera access. The app now has permission to use the camera. Very easy to follow the crystal clear comprehensive instructions, inspite of my low-level knowledge of computer technology. After learning here the reason why the mere restarting of my MacBook failed to restore the sudden, for the first time loss of the built-in camera function (“No Camera Connected”) on my otherwise reliably and smoothly running MacBook, I was able to fix the problem with. You can decide which apps are allowed to use the camera on your Mac. See Control access to your camera. Turn the camera on: On your Mac, open an app or turn on a feature that can use the camera. A green light beside the camera glows to indicate that the camera is on. MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, even the iMac, all have that 720p webcam. But, there is one current Mac with a better camera. Chances are you don't have it, so don't get too excited. Feb 25, 2021 For the other apps, like Facetime and Skype, you might need to click on the video icon to turn the camera on. You’ll know that your camera is on because there will be a small green light that comes on right next to the camera lens. You’ll also see the image that the camera is capturing displayed within the window of the app you are using.
Apple has taken a lot of criticism for sticking with just a 720p resolution for its MacBook and iMac built-in FaceTime cameras. The iMac Pro does have a 1080p resolution, but the majority of Mac users — including those with the 16-inch MacBook Pro and new 13-inch Pro and Air — are stuck with 720p that often produces grainy video, especially in low-light conditions.
Outside of buying an external webcam, what else is there to do? Well if you have a compatible Canon EOS or PowerShot camera, you can now use it for high-quality webcam video with your Mac.
Canon announced the news in a press release today and created a tutorial video on getting set up.
Unfortunately, there are some limitations since the EOS Webcam Utility is in beta, like no support for FaceTime or Safari, and you need to use the web versions of Zoom, Skype, etc. It’s also only available for users in the US at the moment. But if that’s not a dealbreaker, it’s definitely worth checking out!
If you don’t have a Canon camera (or your Canon model isn’t compatible) there are some other ways to use your DSLR or mirrorless camera as your Mac webcam.
How To Access The Camera On My Macbook Air Louder
Cascable Pro Webcam is a good alternative that works with most Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, and Sony cameras over WiFi and Canon EOS and Nikon cameras over USB. How to disable camera on macbook pro. Cascable offers a free trial then runs $30 as a one-time purchase (this still is in beta).
Another option includes using two pieces of software, Camera Live and CamTwist. Read more about how to get going with this option here.
How To Access Camera On Macbook Pro
Finally, Camo is a sharp-looking app that allows you to use your iPhone as your webcam. It’s not fully launched yet but signups for early access are open.
How to use a Canon EOS camera as a high-quality Mac webcam
Download the EOS Webcam Utility Beta from Canon (check that your specific EOS or PowerShot camera is supported here)
After installing you’ll need to restart your Mac
Now you can turn on your Canon camera and set it to movie mode
Dial-in your exposure, then plug in the USB cable to your camera, followed by your Mac
Close out the EOS Utility if it auto opens
Now when picking a camera in a video call app/service (needs to be web-based, Chrome recommended) choose “EOS Webcam Utility Beta”
As mentioned above, at this time, FaceTime and Safari are not supported. And Mac apps like Zoom and Skype aren’t either, so you’ll need to use the web versions to make use of this beta utility for now.
How To Access The Camera On My Macbook Air Upgrade
Check out the full video walkthrough below:
How To Access The Camera On My Macbook Air Keyboard Cover
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