I think most of us have been using built-in laptop webcams that are mostly 720p resolution. They are generally very poor in image quality, which is probably a good thing for camera-shy users who prefer the other party not to see them clearly. But if your video conference success depends on high-quality visual feeds, then you should invest in a good webcam. The Jabra PanaCast 20 is a premium portable business webcam with a 13-megapixel sensor that supports up to 4K video resolution at 30fps. It retails for S$511 at Jabra Singapore online store.
The PanaCast 20 is a solid-build metal-body webcam with rubber protection at the right places. The foldable mounting clip supports standard tripod screw mount but it can also sit on top of the laptop and you can adjust the angle easily regardless of the laptop screen angle. The rubber padding keeps the webcam secure and prevents slipping off. This stand design seems easier to use than the Logitech BRIO.
The carrying case is generously big to accommodate both the webcam and the USB-C cable, which I felt was too thick. Its lack of flexibility puts upward tension against the webcam and potentially de-stabilise the downward force. The webcam comes with a physical lens cover which you can flip manually to protect your privacy.
While the PanaCast 20 claims to be plug-and-play, it is recommended to install the Jabra Direct software in order to access the hardware settings like enabling intelligent zoom, picture-in-picture, mic, set field of view and video flicker, adjusting zoom amount, image quality, and of course, firmware updates. All the settings from the app will override the settings on the unified communication (UC) apps like Teams and Zoom. During operations, the webcam gets rather hot, as the metal body dissipates heat naturally.
Needless to say, the PanaCast 20 image quality is great for a webcam. There are numerous image adjustment settings that you can play with, but I am quite happy to let the camera auto-adjust. You don’t have to worry about getting your face centered and close-up to an optimal size, just enable Intelligent Zoom and the PanaCast 20 will adjust automatically and follow your head across the frame. The wide viewing angle offers better versatility in cropping, zooming, and panning.
I put the camera to the extreme test, by sitting against the window. This back-lit setting will ruin most webcam quality, but the PanaCast 20 handles it with satisfaction. Of course, it does not achieve the DSLR quality, so I would not recommend sitting back-facing bright background for video calls.
The Picture-in-Picture mode is good if you are doing a presentation from a distance, for instance, if you want to draw something on the whiteboard. The PiP will create a small image box at the bottom to crop your face. Thanks to the built-in mic, the other party is able to hear your voice clearly even from a distance.
What appears to be lacking is an image capture feature on the Jabra Direct. On my LG Gram laptop, the preinstalled camera software is unable to select an external camera device, so I could not use the PanaCast 20 to record still image or video recording. You may have to get third party software that supports selection of image capture devices. Fortunately, Zoom and Teams let you select your preferred video and audio input devices, so you could select PanaCast 20 for camera and mic.
Verdict
The PanaCast 20 is targeted at business users, so the retail price of S$511 may seem exorbitant given the ample choice for consumers to get a decent FHD webcam below S$150. Note however that the PanaCast is a 4K webcam with 13MP sensor which allows intelligent zoom, Picture-in-picture, and improved image resolution. In a business setting, video feed image quality is paramount to achieve positive meeting outcomes, and the PanaCast 20 is a high-quality webcam that puts you in a good light.
Likes
- Metal body construction
- Sturdy travel case to store the webcam and cables
- Easy to adjust and sit on top of monitors
- Intelligent adjustment to optimise facial quality
Dislikes
- Thick USB-C cable
- Does not come with video and image capture software
Visit the official website for more details and how to order one.
