OBSBOT Tiny 2: AI-Powered 4K Webcam Review

What’s in the box?

The OBSBOT Tiny 2 comes in a compact white box with a bright red top and bottom. A picture of the webcam and the word 4K is on the front. Nowhere on the box did it mention the features except for its description, “AI-powered 4K Webcam”. At the back of the box is the list of items inside.

Inside, we have:

• The OBSBOT Tiny 2 webcam itself, is a small cube-shaped device with a lens on the front and a USB-C port on the back. It also has a standard 1/4-inch screw hole for attaching to a tripod or other accessories.
• Adjustable magnetic mount that attaches to the bottom of the webcam which allows me to adjust the angle and position of the camera above the laptop or desktop monitor.
• USB-C to USB-C cable (1.5 meters) and a USB-C to USB-A adapter for connecting the webcam to my computer.
• Storage case for carrying and protecting the webcam and its accessories.
• User manual and a warranty card.

The packaging is minimal and eco-friendly, and everything is well-protected and easy to access.

How to set it up?

Setting up the OBSBOT Tiny 2 is straightforward. You just need to follow these steps:

• Attach the magnetic mount to the bottom of the webcam and place it on a monitor or mount it on a tripod or other accessory.
• Connect the USB-C cable to the webcam and plug it into your computer or use the adapter if you have a USB-A port.
• Download and install the OBSBOT WebCam software from the official website. This software allows you to control and customize various settings of the webcam, such as resolution, frame rate, exposure, white balance, beauty mode, tracking mode, gesture control, voice control, etc. You can also update the firmware of the webcam through this software.
• Launch the OBSBOT WebCam software and follow the instructions to activate your webcam and register your account. You’ll need to enter your email address and create a password. You’ll also need to agree to the terms of service and privacy policy.
• Once you’ve activated your webcam, you can start using it with any video conferencing or streaming software that supports external webcams, such as Zoom, Skype, OBS Studio, etc. You can also use it with some dedicated apps that support OSC (Open Sound Control), such as TouchOSC or Lemur, which allow you to control the webcam with your smartphone or tablet.

How does it perform?

This is not just a regular webcam. It’s a smart webcam that uses AI technology to track your movements, zoom in and out automatically, respond to your voice commands and hand gestures, and more. Here are some of the features that make it stand out from other webcams:

Image quality

The OBSBOT Tiny 2 has an ultra-large 1/1.5-inch CMOS sensor that can capture up to 4K resolution at 30 frames per second or 1080p resolution at 60 frames per second. The image quality is excellent in most lighting conditions, with sharp details, high dynamic range, and natural colors. The lens has an aperture of f/1.9 and a wide-angle field of view of 85.5 degrees, which means it can capture more of your background and let in more light.

The webcam also has some advanced features that enhance the image quality further, such as:

• All-pixel autofocus: This feature allows every pixel on the sensor to provide accurate and fast focusing, even in dim light. You can also manually adjust the focus if you prefer.
• PixGain HDR: This feature combines two images captured with different ISOs (light sensitivity) at the same time and merges them with an algorithm to produce an image without motion blur or noise.
• Dual native ISO: This feature allows the webcam to automatically switch between two native ISOs (100 and 800) depending on the lighting situation, achieving optimal performance in both bright and dark environments.
• Beauty mode: This feature smooths your skin and brightens your eyes with one click. You can adjust the level of beautification according to your preference.

Tracking capabilities

The built-in 2-axis gimbal can rotate 140 degrees horizontally (left or right) and 100 degrees vertically (up or down). This allows it to follow your movements smoothly and precisely without any lag or jitter. You can also manually control the pan and tilt of the camera with your mouse or keyboard.

The webcam also has some AI-powered features that make the tracking more intelligent and convenient, such as:

• Auto tracking with auto zoom: This feature allows the webcam to automatically detect and lock on your face or body and adjust the zoom level accordingly. You can also select or cancel the target with your voice or gesture. This feature is ideal for remote teaching, online performance, or presentation, as it can keep you in focus and frame at all times.
• Zone tracking: This feature allows you to set a specific zone that the webcam will stop tracking when you are inside it and resume tracking when you get out of it. This feature is useful for creating suspense or surprise effects, or for switching between different scenes or backgrounds.
• Auto framing: This feature allows the webcam to automatically adjust the frame size and position based on the number and location of people in the scene. This feature is great for group video calls or interviews, as it can fit everyone in the frame without cutting anyone off.
• Desk mode: This feature allows the webcam to automatically switch to a lower angle and closer zoom when you are sitting at a desk. This feature helps show your documents or objects on the desk more clearly.

Gesture and voice control

You can use voice commands and hand gestures to control the webcam without touching your mouse or keyboard. Here are some of the commands and gestures that you can use:

• Voice control: You can say “Zoom in closer”, “Zoom out further”, “Track me”, “Unlock me” and more. The webcam will execute the command.
• Gesture control: You can show this gesture to the webcam: “L” sign, with both hands moving closer or away from each other. The webcam will respond by zooming in or zooming out.

Privacy mode

The privacy mode allows you to pre-set a video or picture using the OBSBOT WebCam software. Once set, you can tilt down the camera to activate it. When activated, the webcam will automatically stream the pre-set video or picture instead of your live feed. This feature helps take breaks or leave your seat without interrupting your video call or stream. It can also be used to show pre-recorded content or slides to your audience.

How does it compare to similar products?

This isn’t the only smart webcam available. Here are some other options:

• Insta360 Link: This 4K webcam uses AI to track movements, zoom automatically, and blur the background. It has a larger 1/1.2-inch sensor for better exposure and white balance. However, it doesn’t have gesture or voice control, zone tracking, auto framing, or privacy mode. It has a 78-degree field of view and a slower focus speed. It costs $299.
• Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra: This 4K webcam also uses AI to track movements, adjust exposure and white balance, and blur the background. It has a larger 1/1.2-inch sensor for better low-light performance and noise reduction. It lacks gesture or voice control, zone tracking, auto framing, auto zooming, and privacy mode. It has an 80-degree field of view and a slower focus speed. It costs $299.
• OBSBOT Tiny 4K: This is an older version of the OBSBOT Tiny 2. It has AI-powered tracking, zooming, and gesture control, but a smaller 1/2.8-inch sensor, resulting in lower image quality. It also lacks voice control, zone tracking, auto framing, all-pixel autofocus, PixGain HDR, dual native ISO, and beauty mode. It costs $239.

What’s my opinion and recommendation?

After unboxing, setting up, and testing the OBSBOT Tiny 2 for several days, I have to say that I’m very impressed by this smart webcam.

Get yours here… from the official OBSBOT website!