Webcams are extremely popular these days. Unfortunately, webcams built into laptops are not as capable as the standalone digital SLRs and mirrorless cameras available. Yet, many digital camera users would like to be able to use their standalone cameras as webcams. This is the age of video meetings and you want higher quality video feed for some of those Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype and Google Meet events. Using a digital camera from Canon, Fujifilm, Olympus, or Panasonic would be swell. Unfortunately, many of these do not have a direct way of working with laptops and desktops for this functionality. There are numerous hacks out there for using your digital camera as a webcam. Some of those hacks require you to use terminal commands, something that most PC and Mac users are not familiar, or comfortable with. Chances are that you are unable to go down that route, if you are not a techie person. Thankfully, if you own a Canon camera, you can now use it as a webcam just by plugging it to your desktop or laptop. All you need is an easy-to-use software, called EOS Webcam Utility, provided by Canon itself.
Introducing EOS Webcam Utility
EOS Webcam Utility makes the process seamless. Downloading and installing it allows you to connect your compatible Canon DSLR and PowerShot camera to a Mac or PC computer, where it will be recognised as a USB webcam. There is no need for any additional equipment or complicated hacks. The user-friendly software makes it a plug-and-play experience. Plug your Canon camera in via USB and use it as a webcam for high-quality virtual meetings and video conferencing. Here are a few things to note:
EOS Webcam Utility software can be downloaded from the Canon website and configured in minutes with your favourite video conferencing application. The software is currently supported by Windows and a beta version is already available for MacOS. It supports a range of Canon DSLR and PowerShot cameras, namely: EOS DSLR, EOS R, EOS M (EOS M50 or later), PowerShot (G5X MK II, G7X MK III, SX70 only)
Key features of EOS Webcam Utility software:
Free software (download from the Canon website) Compatible and full support with Windows, with MacOS support to follow Improves image quality for virtual calls Better low-light performance, improved colour and depth-of-field
Steps to use your Canon camera as a webcam
That is it; you are good to go.
Download and install EOS Webcam Utility software to use your Canon camera as a webcam
The process of downloading and installing is simple. Browser to the Canon EOS Webcam Utility software page HERE.
Select your model. Select the “Drivers & Downloads” tab. Select the “Software” tab. Select Windows 10 (x64), or 10.15 (Catalina), 10.14 (Mojave), or 10.13 (High Sierra) for Mac, if not already detected, from the Operating System list. Find “EOS Webcam Utility Beta” and click the “SELECT” button. Click the download button to start downloading. Once the download is completed, finish the installation as you would any other software
Once installed, now you can go ahead to use your Canon camera as a webcam every time you have a Google Meet or Zoom meeting or a Skype conference call.
