Properly, that is awkward. Simply as we hear EPOS is within the technique of ‘winding down’ its gaming enterprise, we pay money for a surprisingly nice webcam from the soon-to-be-defunct firm. The EPOS S6 will nonetheless be obtainable in retail for some time, as the corporate will nonetheless help its merchandise into 2024, so remains to be price a glance. Although long-term considerations over help and after-sales care are actually legitimate in gentle of this information.
Nonetheless, within the wake of the pandemic-induced lockdowns, a exceptional surge in streaming and content material creation has reshaped our lifestyle. Nearly everybody, it appears, has dabbled in creating some type of content material or spent extra time than ever on video conferencing platforms like Zoom and Groups.
Nonetheless, this additionally implies that many people are sharing this inventive house with people armed with costly Sony mirrorless cameras able to capturing Hollywood-level unboxings and culinary demonstrations. That is the place the brand new EPOS S6 4K USB webcam steps in.
Priced at $200, (£200/ AU$350) the EPOS S6 goals to bridge the hole, making us look as slick as these big-time streamers. EPOS markets the S6 as a content material creator’s dream, boasting crystal-clear 4K video at 30fps and spectacular 1080p at 60fps. Plus, it packs built-in noise-cancelling microphones, making certain your voice matches the top-notch visuals.
S6 specs
Compatibility: PC, Mac OSX
Certifications: Microsoft Groups, Zoom
Connectivity: Wired, USB Kind-A, USB Kind-C
Recording: 4K 30 fps, 1080p 30/ 60 fps, 720p 30/60 fps
Microphone Frequency Response: 110 – 10000Hz
Dimensions:1.67 x 2.30 x 1.16 inches
Value: $200 | £200 | AU$350
For many who guard their privateness, the S6 has acquired you coated with a handbook privateness shutter. No extra unintended peeping. Oh, they usually even toss in a rugged carry case, a nod to those that journey with their gear.
The S6’s design strikes a chord with my appreciation for Bauhaus rules. Not like different cumbersome 4K webcams available on the market, it boasts a notably compact type. With dimensions of simply 40 x 58 x 29mm, the S6 presents itself as a small cuboid with rounded edges. Crafted from aluminium, it is each light-weight and sturdy, tipping the scales at a mere 80g. This ensures it will not pressure your slim laptop computer display screen or burden your elegant messenger bag.
Entrance and centre is a petite glass lens, encircled by grilles housing twin noise-cancelling microphones on both facet. Positioned atop the S6 is a tactile dial to control the privateness shutter, offering peace of thoughts towards prying eyes. The only USB Kind-C port is located on the rear, and the field consists of each USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to USB-A cables, so no worries about compatibility. Plus, the S6 performs good with Home windows PCs and Macs, and every OS will get its personal model of the EPOS Join software program.
Flip it over, and also you’ve acquired a retractable mount that not solely supplies strong help but in addition gives a little bit of tilt. It’s not essentially the most versatile on the market, however it’s secure—no annoying wobbles when you’re typing. And guess what? The mount even matches tripods with a 1/4 thread, so content material creators, rejoice! There’s only one bummer: Not like Logitech’s StreamCam, the S6’s mount will not allow you to do vertical movies—a little bit of a miss for TikTok and Reels lovers.
On a brighter notice, the S6 is accompanied by a high-quality onerous carry case, making transportation a breeze. The comfortable foam mould inside retains the S6 secure, and there is a pocket within the lid in your cables. In case you’re the highway warrior kind, this case is provides further peace of thoughts when on the go.
Let’s discuss how the S6 performs. It rocks a 4K glass lens with a large angle, low distortion, able to recording as much as 2160p at 30 fps, 1080p at 30/60 fps, and 720p at 30/60 fps. You possibly can decide from three field-of-view choices: 90°, 78°, and 65°. Oh, and there is an 8x digital zoom too. It is all set for Microsoft Groups and Zoom, however it additionally performs good with OBS and Nvidia Studio. Tweak zoom, white stability, distinction, and saturation utilizing the EPOS Join software program. The software program interface is user-friendly, and devoid of pointless complexities.
Below beneficial lighting situations, the image high quality is phenomenal, that includes sharp particulars, correct colors, and a broad discipline of view. The 4K decision at 30 fps is especially well-suited for YouTube content material creation, whereas the 1080p at 60 fps excels for streaming functions. Nonetheless, like many webcams, the S6’s sensor stays inclined to fluctuations in lighting.
In low-light situations, the S6 performs respectably, sustaining color constancy and readability, particularly at 4K decision. Although some noise is obvious in darker areas, it is not overly distracting—significantly in 4K, although extra noticeable in 1080p. I did observe some ghosting in OBS recordings beneath low-light situations at 4K 30 fps, which did diminish once I scaled right down to 1080p 60 fps.
One factor to be careful for is the broad discipline of view. It is truthfully a bit an excessive amount of for my style—too extensive, revealing an excessive amount of of the setting behind me. Now, if you happen to’re utilizing the S6 on a laptop computer up shut, that is not as a lot of a problem however on a desktop setup, it is quite a bit. The digital zoom does not assist, and there isn’t any cropping characteristic both. So, if you happen to’re gunning for privateness on Zoom, you will must mess around with positioning.
Purchase if…
✅ You need 4K streaming and content material creation with out breaking the financial institution: It really works seamless throughout Home windows PC and Mac and performs properly with OBS Studio, Zoom and Groups.
Do not buy if…
❌ If you wish to produce skilled content material: Pretty much as good because the S6 is, there’s some points that cease it from being a major digital camera for anybody who needs to supply high quality video for modifying and grading.
❌ You worry going with out future help: With EPOS winding down as a enterprise into 2024 the probability of future driver help is fairly low.
And people twin noise-cancelling microphones flanking the lens? They’re good, selecting up sound in a 180° arc in entrance of the digital camera. They seize my voice with no need me to talk unnaturally loudly—not like with the Logitech StreamCam. Nonetheless, the noise-cancellation can battle to maintain up with any sound coming from behind you so noisy spots like a bustling café come by. This may even result in a little bit of compression fuzz when the mics attempt to cancel it out. They’re a step up from laptop computer mics, however there’s nonetheless room for enchancment.
The EPOS S6 checks numerous bins for me—I like its minimalist type, plug-and-play simplicity, and very good image high quality stand out. Setup and utilization are a breeze, and even novices can obtain an interesting OBS stream with out problem. The S6’s versatile design caters to each desktop and cellular situations, and the inclusion of a sturdy carry case is a considerate contact for cellular customers. Whereas I is probably not a streamer, the S6 actually holds potential for enhancing my private YouTube content material creation endeavours.
The twin microphones, whereas not excellent, are succesful inside applicable situations. Low-light efficiency stays a problem, however it’s removed from a dealbreaker. However all in all, the S6 takes the crown as my favourite 4K webcam for now. It strikes the right stability between type and efficiency. In case you’re venturing into streaming or content material creation, the EPOS S6 is a no brainer. Simply keep in mind, future help may properly be a problem, and you will must put money into some respectable lighting if you happen to’re burning the midnight oil.