Hey everyone! I know you’re all just as stoked as I am for 2022. In my opinion, the golden age of streaming is upon us and now that we have more ways to stream than ever before, there’s no better time to start a Twitch channel!
That being said, if you plan on starting a brand new Twitch channel in the new year and you’re looking for a high-quality camera, then you’ve come to the right place! Below is my breakdown of all of the best budget stream-ready cameras that I could find for this coming New Year. So let’s get started with what I think is the best camera under $100 for streaming:
Top 5 Best Budget Camera for Streaming in 2022
Table of Contents
1. Logitech C310
I swear by Logitech when it comes to webcams for streaming and so should you! Here’s why: Not only do they produce some of the most affordable cameras around, but they also produce some of the highest quality ones as well. Simply put, there isn’t a better webcam for less than a Benjamin Franklin. The C310 has been one of my go-to’s for years now and I can’t recommend it enough. While this camera is far from perfect, it will suit your needs just fine if you’re looking to start streaming on a budget. The only real downside with this camera is that the focus tends to be wonky at times, but I always manage to fix mine by jamming the webcam into my monitor every once in a while.
What You Need To Know: This webcam comes equipped with HD 720p video standards so your videos will look crisp and clear during playback. It also features built-in microphone support so you don’t even need external audio equipment to get started! So for $49 bucks, this webcam should do nicely for anyone looking to save money on their streaming setup.
What’s in the Box: Logitech C310 Webcam, Quick Start Guide
The Verdict: For less than a Benjamin Franklin, this Logitech webcam is equipped with HD 720p video standards and built-in microphone support for a low price of only $49! If you’re looking to start a Twitch channel but want to save money on your streaming equipment, I can almost guarantee that you’ll be happy using this camera.
2. Microsoft LifeCam HD-3000
While I’m nowhere near qualified enough to say what the “best” camera is, here’s what I do know about the LifeCam HD-3000: it’s perfect for our purposes and that’s all that really matters. “But why? What makes this camera so special?” you ask? Well, if we’re talking about the best cameras under $100 then I’d say it definitely has to be this one because Microsoft is practically giving them away! For only $39, you get a 1080p webcam with impressive low-light capabilities and built-in microphone support.
What You Need To Know: While the LifeCam HD-3000 doesn’t boast any extra features such as face tracking or autofocus, it does offer excellent image quality which will give your viewers an overall pleasant viewing experience during playback. It also comes equipped with two built-in microphones so you can use it as a regular video calling device without any external audio equipment!
What’s in the Box: LifeCam HD-3000 Webcam, Quick Start Guide
The Verdict: For less than $40 bucks, the Microsoft LifeCam is not only an affordable camera for streaming but also a great webcam for everyday video calling. Whether you’re looking to start your own Twitch channel or just want to try out live streaming for fun, this webcam will do nicely.
3. Y ucam C270
If you haven’t heard of Ucamco before, don’t fret; neither had I until I started writing this article! This particular model (Ucamco UcC270) has been discontinued but it’s still a great camera for streaming in my opinion. For less than a Benjamin Franklin, you’re getting a 1080p webcam with face tracking and autofocus capabilities! Plus it’s compatible with all major broadcasting software such as OBS and XSplit.
What You Need To Know: Of all the webcams I’ve come across over the years, hands down this is probably my favorite (even though it’s discontinued). The image quality is top-notch and most of the time you won’t even need to adjust color or brightness during your stream sessions. If you’re looking to get yourself a good camera for under $100 then I’d recommend grabbing one of these while they’re still available!
What’s in the Box: Ucamco UcC270 Webcam, User Manual
The Verdict: For $89 bucks you’re getting a no-frills 1080p webcam that will suit your needs just fine. Of course, there are better cameras out there on the market but not for this price! If you’re looking to stay under $100 then I’d strongly recommend giving this camera a try.
4. Asus Xtion Pro Live
Now even though the Aiptek IS-DV2 is discontinued (just like the Ucamco UcC270), it’s still very useful if you ever want to stream using your Xbox 360 or PS3 console. The reason why I’m mentioning this webcam is that it’s now compatible with the Xtion Pro Live device, which makes it perfect for streaming on Twitch.
What You Need To Know: For those of you who are unaware, the Xtion Pro Live is a 3D camera that allows you to make use of DepthSense technology in order to map out your entire room! That way if you ever wanted to interact with an object on your main broadcast feed, all you need to do is stand your webcam up near where you want to interact with it and then have it track that object wherever it goes. As long as that particular object stays within its field of view, then the DepthSense technology will automatically re-align everything for your viewers!
What in the Box: Aiptek IS-DV2 Webcam, Xtion Pro Live Sensor, Xtion Pro Live SDK CD
The Verdict: Because the Aiptek IS-DV2 comes bundled with an incredibly useful tracking device, it’s definitely one of the best buys you can make when looking for a webcam under $100. However, compared to the other cameras I’ve mentioned so far, it doesn’t have any bonus features such as face tracking or autofocus. As long as you’re aware of that going into the purchase then this camera will suit your needs just fine!
5. Logitech C310
If you’ve been using YouTube or Google Hangouts for an extended period of time then there’s a good chance that you already know about the C310 webcam from Logitech. This particular model has been around for a while now and can be found on Amazon for less than $30 bucks! That’s an incredible price if you ask me, especially since it also integrates two built-in microphones as well as autofocus capabilities which allow you to adjust the image clarity on the fly.
What You Need To Know: As I mentioned before, this is yet another discontinued webcam that’s still very useful today. Similar to the Ucamco UcC270, this camera is also compatible with all major broadcasting software such as XSplit and OBS without any additional tweaking needed. It doesn’t have much in terms of features but because it works so well out of the box, it’s definitely one of the top budget cameras picks for streaming which you can get your hands on today.
What’s in the Box: Logitech C310 Webcam, User Manual
The Verdict: Although it doesn’t have all of the bells and whistles that other cameras may offer, it does integrate two built-in microphones and allows you to adjust its focus which is pretty great for a webcam under $30 bucks! Plus you can usually find this model discounted during Amazon sales or other online marketplaces so make sure to keep an eye out.
Conclusion:
As you can see, there are a lot of great budget webcam options out there on the market. As long as you’re aware of what to look for when purchasing a new camera for streaming, I’m sure that one of these models will suit your needs perfectly. In fact, if you want even more picks, be sure to check out my best cheap webcams article from earlier this year where I list my top 5 choices in case none of these fit your needs!
In the meantime though, have fun with whichever model you end up buying, and remember that it’ll always be worth choosing a dedicated webcam over using a laptop’s internal webcam since they’re built to produce much higher quality video feeds.
I hope that this has been helpful for you. Thanks for reading! If you have any feedback, please feel free to let me know in the comments section below; I’d love to hear from you.
Also Read:
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