Setting up your DSLR, mirrorless or compact camera as a webcam can be a bit of a fiddly process involving weird workarounds or even extra hardware. However, Canon has just released a beta version of software that will make the process incredibly straightforward for owners of its cameras.
Canon just launched EOS Webcam Utility Beta (Windows only at present), a piece of software that allows you to connect a Canon camera to your computer using a USB cable so that it can be used as a webcam. At present, 25 cameras are supported, ranging from the EOS 1D X Mark III to the PowerShot SX70 HS. Here's the list in full:
This is a greatly appreciated move from Canon at a time when many of us are trying to present a professional face via the internet while working from home.
Setup seems refreshingly simple: download and install the software and plug in your camera. EOS Webcam Utility Beta will then show up in the list of webcam options when using services such as Zoom or Facebook Live. Being a beta version, it’s currently Windows-only but it's expected that other operating systems will be supported in the near future. This is the second significant software release from Canon in the last few weeks, the other being image.canon which offers a means of uploading files directly from the camera to the cloud.
Having recently tried to set up my Sony a7 III as a webcam (it works, but not very well), this certainly seems to make the process dramatically easier. Let’s hope that other camera manufacturers follow Canon’s lead.
Have you tried Canon’s new software? Do you want Nikon, Sony, Fuji, and Panasonic to do the same? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
I figured out how to use my Nikon D800 as a webcam via USB only on my Mac, no addition hardware needed. Below is a process for two apps you'll need and another link to a list of cameras that should work if Live View is listed:
https://docs.crowdcast.io/en/articles/1935406-how-to-use-your-dslr-as-a-...
http://www.gphoto.org/proj/libgphoto2/support.php
This also works on Windows for Canon, Nikon and Sony: https://www.helmutsteiner.com/2020/04/26/how-to-use-your-dslr-or-mirrorl...
Finally! Works like a charm! It makes it so much easier.
Not holding my breath waiting for Nikon. Connectivity will forever elude them.
If you got a Windows PC my method should work for Nikon, Sony and Canon: https://www.helmutsteiner.com/2020/04/26/how-to-use-your-dslr-or-mirrorl...
Thanks I'll try it. SparkOCam works well but is $50 to unlock the trial.
Save that money for a microphone or headset! :-)
Well that was quick. I installed DIgiCamControl, it recognized my Z50, clicking on the 't"Capture Photo" icon gave me ACCESS DENIED HRESULT 0x80007005 and that was the end of that. Looked at the online help and got 404s on the pages I wanted.
Typical of open source in my experience. Great if it works, but if it doesn't, forget it.
Downloaded and set up my EOS R. Works a treat, thanks Canon for leading the way with this. Sure after some beta testing it will open up to Mac users.
The 77D is supported, sadly my new-to-me M6 isn't :-(
No 5D MkIII support? :(
Looks like that camera is supported with the method I linked above.
Try downloading the webcam utility under the 5div drivers and downloads section, installing it and just trying it with the 5diii. Might work.
5D3 and 5D2 work. Probably most if not all others as well as long as they have video.
Doesn't matter which camera you pick. They all use the same installer.
If you have a Mac, you can do this with "Camera Live", a free app which turns a Canon camera connected over USB into a Syphon stream. You can use that directly in OBS, or use a free app called CamTwist to turn it into a virtual webcam which Zoom and other chat software can see.
I use this with my Canon 250D
Not just Canon. Got this working with my Nikon D800
There seems to be a new spirit of innovation growing at Canon headquarters. Firstly with the R5 and now giving us software to do this. I'm not sure what's changed in the company but... Canon, if you're listening.... keep it up.
Ahhhh..... except that I go and download it and mac is not supported. :-( Seriously? Ok, I guess I'll go back to using Camera Live.
Hopefully when it comes out of beta...
Give me focus stacking for my EOS R instead.I use Casable but in camera firmware would be so much easier. Why do they always seem to create the things we don't ask for. I mean this is nice and I see that it hits a certain ecosystem that is growing, but really?