Catching up with Canon and Fujifilm, Sony users running Windows can now use their cameras as webcams thanks to an update to the Imaging Edge software.
Various workarounds have previously been engineered to try and convince Sony cameras to play nicely with software such as Zoom and Skype. Earlier this year, Canon led the way in showing how camera manufacturers can address customers' needs, closely followed by Fujifilm. Nikon caught up earlier this month and now Sony has followed suit.
The list of cameras that can be used is quite extensive and it seems to include the majority of E-mount cameras. Three A-mount cameras are listed, as are 16 of Sony’s DSC cameras, including the recently announced Sony ZV-1. You can find the complete list of cameras from the download page on Sony's website. Instructions can be found here.
Mac users will be frustrated but an macOS version will almost certainly be arriving shortly, and it’s not unusual for camera manufacturers to lead with Windows software first.
Previous workarounds included camera-connecting dongles, many of which are quite expensive and have also been hard to get hold of at times during the global pandemic.
Are you excited to start using your Sony camera as a webcam? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
I've been reluctant to use a webcam while teleworking - however, it might be nice to try now, just to flex on my co-workers :)
I'm at a loss as to why you can't use ANY camera with an HDMI out or wifi/bluetooth as a webcam.
You can use any HDMI camera if you have an HDMI capture device. But that's an additional device at an additional cost.
As for WIFI... there are ways to do it (NDI) but it might be too complicated for the average user.
The idea here is that you simply plug a USB cable into your camera. Quick and easy.
Certainly preferable to using a capture device and OBS...
That said, most laptops have decent webcams if you've got enough light... Especially considering the resolution of streamed video...
Why bother? I'll just continue to use my laptop's camera. Easy peezie.
Been using my A7III with an 85mm 1.8 for months via camtwist. Requires hacking zoom but its sooooo worth it for that DoF!
A6000 is the mostly sold Sony camera is not in the list.