Conference cameras

Conference cameras for meeting rooms, huddle spaces and home offices, from simple USB webcams to PTZ cameras and all-in-one video bars. Our range has over 140 models from brands including Logitech, Lenovo, HP, PTZOptics and GN Audio, so small teams and larger boardrooms can both find a suitable camera.

How to choose a conference camera

Room size and field of view. A camera for one or two people at a desk needs only a standard lens, while a table of six or more needs a wide angle, usually 90 degrees or more. In a long, narrow boardroom, a camera with optical zoom or a PTZ camera will frame everyone more evenly than a fixed wide lens.

Zoom and camera movement. PTZ stands for pan, tilt and zoom, and these cameras can be turned and framed by remote control. Optical zoom keeps the picture sharp, whereas digital zoom simply crops the image and loses detail. Some models also track speakers automatically, which helps when nobody wants to operate a remote during the meeting.

Resolution. Full HD (1080p) is enough for most small and medium rooms. 4K is worth considering for larger rooms, because it lets you zoom in on a participant digitally without the picture turning soft. Check that your meeting software and your connection can actually carry the higher resolution.

Connection and compatibility. USB cameras work as plug-and-play devices with a laptop or room PC and suit most Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Google Meet setups. Network (IP) cameras and HDMI models suit installed room systems and streaming, but they usually need more setup. Look at the cable length too, since a camera mounted above a screen may sit several metres from the PC.

Audio and finish. Many conference cameras include microphones and some include speakers, which saves buying a separate speakerphone for a small room. Larger rooms usually still need a dedicated audio unit. Where a finish is listed in our range, black is the most common, with white, silver and grey also available, so a camera can be matched to the room's equipment.

Conference camera brands we carry

• Logitech: best known for webcams and video-conferencing hardware, and the largest brand in this category in our range, with options from desk cameras to full room systems.
• Lenovo and HP: both make business-oriented conferencing hardware that is designed to sit alongside their laptops and desktops in an office.
• Poly and HP Poly: Poly was formed from Plantronics and Polycom and is now part of HP, with a long history in meeting-room audio and video.
• PTZOptics: specialises in PTZ cameras with optical zoom, used in meeting rooms, classrooms and live streaming.
• GN Audio: an audio specialist known for business headsets and speakerphones, which carries over into its conferencing devices.
• Cisco: a networking and collaboration company whose conferencing devices are built for its Webex platform and large enterprise deployments.
• Owl Labs: known for 360-degree conference cameras that sit in the middle of the table and follow whoever is speaking.
• Aukey: makes lower-cost webcams that suit home offices and individual desks.

Also in our range: Sandberg and Boom Collaboration.

Conference cameras: frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a conference camera and a normal webcam?

A conference camera is built to capture a whole room, while a normal webcam is designed for one person at a desk. It usually has a wider field of view, better zoom and often built-in microphones and speakers that pick up people sitting further away. Some models also frame or follow speakers automatically.

Do I need a PTZ camera for a meeting room?

Not always. A fixed wide-angle camera is enough for a small room where everyone sits close together. A PTZ camera is worth having in a larger or oddly shaped room, or when you want to point the camera at a presenter, a whiteboard or a different part of the room during a meeting.

Is 4K necessary for video conferencing?

No, Full HD is enough for most calls, because many meeting platforms compress video and limit the resolution they send. 4K helps in bigger rooms where you want to crop in digitally on one person and keep the image sharp. It also needs a capable PC and a good network connection to be useful.

Will a conference camera work with Microsoft Teams and Zoom?

Most USB conference cameras work with Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Google Meet, because the computer treats them as a standard camera. Some models carry certification for specific platforms, which can add features such as one-touch joining. Check the product page for platform support before buying if your company uses a particular system.