Logitech Brio 505 webcam review: Full HD eyes for your PC

Arghanshu Bose / Gadgets Now / Updated: Feb 1, 2024, 07:11PM IST

Critic Rating 3.5

Laptops and most PC monitors these days come with built-in webcams. However, most of this pre-installed hardware doesn't offer a good video calling experience.

Company-fitted webcams usually miss out on high-resolution video and audio recording capabilities. This gap can be bridged by an external webcam. To avoid getting stuck with a pixelated face or off-colour tint during a work meeting, a good webcam becomes crucial in office environments. And when it comes to accessories and peripherals, Logitech has been a popular name amongst users.

The company’s latest external webcam, the Logitech Brio 505 webcam offers an easy USB-C connection, Full HD picture quality, a built-in stereo microphone for better audio and an integrated privacy shutter. It also includes multiple useful smart features which include multiple zoom ranges, viewing angles, and autofocus options that can help users customise the image they want to put out to their colleagues or customers.

Priced at Rs 14,995, the webcam is available in three different colour options -- Graphite, Off-White and Rose. We have been using the Logitech Brio 505 in Graphite colour for a few weeks and this is what we think about the webcam.

Build and design

Logitech Brio 505 webcam has a long yet sleek body which houses the 4MP ultra-wide angle camera and embedded microphones.

The Graphite variant of the accessory can also blend in with most laptops and monitors.

On the right side of the device, there’s a dial to control the privacy shutter on the Brio 505. An LED indicator is also positioned beside the camera which lights on when the device is in use while the microphones are placed on both sides of the lens.

The webcam has a USB-C cable fixed to it which can be used to connect it with devices.

The device can be easily set up with any laptop, monitor and other displays that support USB-C connectivity. The device supports plug-and-play and needs to be enabled directly from video calling platforms. The cable is also long enough to get easily connected in various setups.

However, placing the webcam over screens can be a little tricky. The webcam has to be attached securely using its screen clamp and adhesive sticker.

The webcam sits on a magnetic base which is placed on the clamp and can be popped out if required.

Performance

The video quality offered by the webcam is very good and is better than what is offered by an average laptop or PC. The webcam also offers multiple filters and precise settings for brightness, contrast and sharpness.

However, while testing we found that the video quality offered by the webcam in its default setting was good enough for a well-lit room.

The Brio 505 offered a sharp and colourful 1080p resolution during video calls and we didn’t notice any shakes or stutter while testing it. This webcam also supports the RightSight technology that can automatically frame users in the centre of the image and even uses autofocus to adjust the subject.

This ensures that participants of an important video call don’t have to see a pixelated face(s).

This webcam can also adjust the field of view for an improved video-calling experience. It supports three different angular settings -- 98-degree, 75-degree and 68-degree angles. This feature can automatically adjust the field of view depending on the subject and can come in handy during situations where the camera needs to fit multiple users in a single frame.

However, Logitech allows users to disable the automatic picture modes and set a fixed angle and focus distance.

The stereo microphone setup on the webcam also offers good enough audio quality during meetings. The audio produced by the webcam is also clearer and louder than what is offered by average laptops and PCs. The devices also include Logitech’s proprietary technology that can highlight nearby voices and filter out background noise.

However, for content creation purposes, it's better to go for a dedicated microphone.

Apart from this, the Brio 505 webcam also supports Logitech’s Show Mode. This feature can be used to allow other participants on the call to read notes and diagrams which are kept on your desk. It is also important to note that at default, the webcam records 1080p video at 30fps while it can also be used to record 720p videos at 60fps.

The webcam also supports HDR which when enabled can further improve the video quality.

The webcam is also certified for Zoom, Google Meet and Microsoft Teams meetings and is compatible with MacBooks, Chromebooks and Windows laptops.

Verdict

If you’re looking to improve the video calling experience on your system, the Logitech Brio 505 can be a product to consider.

However, for the pricing, the accessory misses out on a few features like infrared support for facial recognition. Keeping that aside, the webcam will not only offer very good video and audio quality to the user during important meetings but will also improve the experience of the other participants.

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