Why do Laptop Webcams Suck??
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Check out Storyblocks at videoblocks.com I've always assumed laptop webcams sucked because it was an easy spot to cut costs, turns out the real answer is a lot more complicated. More info about the sensor size nonsense: dougkerr.net Buy Dell XPS 15 On Amazon (PAID LINK): geni.us On Best Buy (PAID LINK): geni.us On Newegg (PAID LINK): geni.us Buy HP Elitebook Dragonfly Max On Amazon (PAID LINK): geni.us On Newegg (PAID LINK): geni.us Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Linus Media Group. Discuss on the forum: linustechtips.com ►GET MERCH: lttstore.com ►SUPPORT US ON FLOATPLANE: floatplane.com ►LTX EXPO: ltxexpo.com AFFILIATES & REFERRALS --------------------------------------------------- ►Affiliates, Sponsors & Referrals: lmg.gg ►Check out our podcast gear: kit.co ►Private Internet Access VPN: lmg.gg ►Our Official Charging Partner Anker: lmg.gg ►MK Keyboards: lmg.gg ►Nerd or Die Stream Overlays: lmg.gg ►Official Game Store: nexus.gg ►Amazon Prime: lmg.gg ►Audible Free Trial: lmg.gg ►Our Gear on Amazon: geni.us FOLLOW US ELSEWHERE --------------------------------------------------- Twitter: twitter.com Facebook: @LinusTech Instagram: @linustech Twitch: twitch.tv FOLLOW OUR OTHER CHANNELS --------------------------------------------------- Mac Address: lmg.gg Techquickie: lmg.gg TechLinked: lmg.gg ShortCircuit: lmg.gg LMG Clips: lmg.gg Channel Super Fun: lmg.gg Carpool Critics: lmg.gg MUSIC CREDIT --------------------------------------------------- Title: Laszlo - Supernova Video Link: youtube.com iTunes Download Link: itunes.apple.com Artist Link: soundcloud.com Outro Screen Music Credit: Approaching Nirvana - Sugar High youtube.com Monitor And Keyboard by vadimmihalkevich / CC BY 4.0 geni.us Mechanical RGB Keyboard by BigBrotherECE / CC BY 4.0 geni.us Mouse Gamer free Model By Oscar Creativo / CC BY 4.0 geni.us CHAPTERS --------------------------------------------------- 0:00 - 10 years of iPhone selfie cameras 0:35 - Storyblocks 0:47 - Intro 0:54 - This might be my fault... 1:20 - Sensor size matters 3:29 - Facial Recognition can also effect quality 4:44 - Lens Quality & Auto Focus 7:20 - Dell Ultrasharp Webcam 8:00 - Noise Cancellation 8:45 - The Silver Lining 9:10 - Storyblocks again! 9:46 - Outro
Laptop webcams have long been criticized for poor image quality, but this video explains that the issue is more nuanced than simple cost cutting. The host walks through how sensor size, bezel constraints, and lens design interact to limit image quality on most laptops today. A key point is that laptop webcams typically use extremely small sensors, which reduces light gathering and degrades color accuracy, dynamic range, and low light performance. The video then contrasts this with higher end solutions, like larger sensors and multi element lenses found in dedicated or premium peripherals, showing how these improvements can significantly sharpen and clarify images. There is also discussion of Windows Hello, infrared illumination, and how infrared performance can cause color or noise artifacts when sensors try to recognize faces under varying lighting. The host notes that some vendors have begun to address these issues with split IR cameras or improved coatings, but emphasizes that physical space constraints on laptops fundamentally cap what can be achieved with forward facing cameras. Finally, the video covers post processing and AI upscaling as critical steps that can bridge the gap, explaining that even the best tiny sensors benefit from software enhancements to counteract hardware limitations, and it ends on an optimistic note that laptop makers are starting to take the problem more seriously in response to widespread remote work.
Topics · technology · hardware · cameras · consumer_electronics · computing