The new Brio 300 Series webcam is available in graphite, off-white and pink finishes to match … [+]
Now that so many people rely on Zoom and Microsoft Teams, lots of us have also realized how poor many built-in laptop webcams can be. Fortunately, it’s easy to upgrade your image by adding an external webcam and there are many models on the market, but not all are created equal.
To address this growing market, Logitech has unveiled its new Brio 300 Series of webcams, a line of compact, plug-and-play, budget models offering full HD 1080p resolution, automatic light correction, plus a noise-reducing microphone that fosters a more natural and productive video call experience at a reasonable price.
The Brio 300 series consists of the Brio 300 and Brio 305 models. The Brio 300 is a consumer model, while the Brio 305 is aimed at corporate users. Both cameras incorporate a 1080p 2-megapixel image sensor that offers high dynamic contrast, auto light correction, plus a single digital microphone that filters out the background noise. The Brio 300 Series webcams work well in poor lighting and noisy offices, making users feel more confident when remotely contributing to video calls.
The Brio 300 Series webcam has a physical lens cover that swivels out of the way to ensure privacy.
The idea for the Brio 300 series came about after Logitech surveyed more than 3,000 remote workers. The company’s research revealed that many people using built-in webcams often struggled with poor lighting conditions, unflattering camera angles, as well as poor-quality sound from their laptop speakers. The Brio 300 Series of webcams have been specifically designed for people who want an easy but substantial upgrade to improve their video meeting experiences.
The Brio 300 webcams have a 70° field of view and a clever built-in stand that enables the webcam to be perched on almost any monitor or laptop. However, there’s no tripod mount included in the stand, so if that’s something you need, maybe look at one of Logitech’s other webcam models that can be mounted on a tripod or grip.
To connect the Brio 300 to its host computer, there is a fixed USB-C cable and it’s plug-and-play. A quick spin of the built-in privacy shutter offers peace of mind, assuring the user that the webcam lens is physically blocked and unable to relay images when not in use. The Brio 200 Series sports an unusual cone shape and both models are available in off-white, graphite and pink finishes to match Logitech’s existing range of wireless mice and keyboards.
The stand built in to the Logitech Brio 300 Series enables it to be perched on any laptop or … [+]
The Brio 300 series is the latest in Logitech’s range of webcams designed for people who want to personalize their workspace. The webcams are easy to set up and use. IT teams responsible for equipping employees with webcams for their workstations or home offices will appreciate the Brio 300’s compatibility with video conferencing platforms with certification for use with Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet. The enterprise Brio 305 model can also be deployed across organizations and remotely managed using Logi Sync software, hopefully resulting in fewer help desk tickets.
Logitech is all about sustainability these days. The company says it is committed to creating a more equitable and climate-positive world by working to reduce its carbon impact. The plastic parts in both Brio 300 and Brio 305 include certified post-consumer recycled plastic to give a second life to end-of-use plastic from old consumer electronics.
The amount of recycled plastic is 62% for the graphite models and 48% for the off-white and pink versions. The paper packaging for the webcams comes from FSC-certified forests and other controlled sources. Finally, all Logitech products are certified carbon neutral and use renewable energy where possible. The carbon footprint of Logitech products, including Brio 300 and Brio 305, have been reduced to zero by supporting forestry, renewables and climate-impacted communities that reduce carbon.
The plastic parts in both Brio 300 and Brio 305 include certified post-consumer recycled plastic to … [+]
Verdict: I’ve had a chance to test the new Brio 300 series. It has an unusual design and a handy lens cover for privacy. The image quality is good and the webcam also does a great job of adjusting to poor light levels. A tally light on the front of the webcam lights up to show when the webcam is live. The cable is a fixed USB Type C and long enough to suit most set-ups. The microphone does an excellent job of picking up the user’s voice, but it’s only mono signal rather than stereo, so if you need a stereo feed, you might want to look at the Brio 500 series. The Brio 300 Series offers excellent value for money. However, one small note of caution, if you’re still using a Mac running an older version of macOS, like Mojave, you’ll find Logitech’s Capture software does not support it. However, the Brio 300 will still work fine with Zoom and other video conferencing software; you just won’t be able to tweak the advanced settings.
Pricing & Availability: The Logitech Brio 300 and Brio 305 will be available globally in January 2023 and sell for $69.99.
More info: logitech.com
Tech Specs:
- Certified for use with Microsoft Teams, Google Meet and Zoom.
- 1080p resolution with a 2-megapixel sensor.
- Auto light correction.
- 70° field of view.
- Noise-reducing microphones.
- USB-C cable.
- Sustainable materials.
- Available in graphite, off-white and rose colorways.
- Weight: 74.6 g.
The Brio 300 Series from Logitech is an effective way of upgrading the built-in webcam of a laptop … [+]
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