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Logitech made a 4K webcam, because why not?

The Logitech Brio, aka 4K Pro Webcam, costs $200.

Sean Hollister Senior Editor / Reviews

When his parents denied him a Super NES, he got mad. When they traded a prize Sega Genesis for a 2400 baud modem, he got even. Years of Internet shareware, eBay'd possessions and video game testing jobs after that, he joined Engadget. He helped found The Verge, and later served as Gizmodo's reviews editor. When he's not madly testing laptops, apps, virtual reality experiences, and whatever new gadget will supposedly change the world, he likes to kick back with some games, a good Nerf blaster, and a bottle of Tejava.

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Sean Hollister

Feb. 7, 2017 12:01 a.m. PT

2 min read

Nobody needs a 4K webcam. Heck, most people don't need a webcam at all. They're already built into your laptop, your phone, your tablet and probably your conference room at work.

But what if you do need a webcam? A good one, too, for conference calls, medical procedures or to host your YouTube or Twitch streaming show? Logitech hopes its Brio -- the first 4K webcam -- will get you to fork over the princely sum (as far as lowly webcams are concerned) of $200.

Shop for Logitech Brio 4K Pro Webcam

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$167 at Best Buy

$110 at Walmart

$200 at B&H Photo-Video

Of course, 4K video isn't the only thing the Brio offers. The camera also does 1080p video (that's 1,920x1,080-pixel resolution) at a smooth 60 frames per second, at a time when most competing webcams generally only offer far less detailed 720p footage at that speed.

The Brio also has a 5x digital zoom option, HDR for a brighter picture, and the ability to digitally crop its image to give you your pick of 65-, 78-, or 90-degree fields of view.

Last but not least -- when used with a Windows 10 PC -- the Brio can automatically recognize your face and log you into Windows without you needing to even touch a key. (The $150 Razer Stargazer does that too.)

It's a good thing the Logitech Brio has all these other things going for it, because the main feature -- 4K video -- is one you may not be able to use right away. At the moment, Vidyo's the only supported client for 4K videoconferencing -- though you can Skype, BlueJeans, Cisco or Zoom in 1080p -- and Logitech suggests YouTube if you want to host a 4K live stream.

The Logitech Brio, aka Logitech 4K Pro Webcam, should be available starting today.