Summary
For anyone wanting to upgrade from a basic 720p webcam, Logitech and Razer have some excellent 1080p and 4K products to consider.
If you want to upgrade to a quality 1080p webcam while staying comfortably under $100, Logitech c920 is a no-brainer decision.
Without adding much expense, you can instead get a Razer Kiyo. This will give you slightly clearer video and a wider field of view for only a few bucks more.
And if budget is less of a factor, it is hard to top the Logitech BRIO. It has 4K video and the widest FOV on the list. Simply put, it does almost everything as good as (or better than) the other two options.
~~~ Check Price: Logitech c920 ~~~
~~~ Check Price: Razer Kiyo ~~~
~~~ Check Price: Logitech BRIO ~~~
Logitech c920 Overview
The Logitech C920 is an HD webcam. It has a 1080p sensor with autofocus and image stabilization. It’s best used for high-resolution video conferencing, live streams, or recording footage for your Twitch/YouTube channel.
The Logitech C920 has all of the standard features you would expect from a mid-grade webcam: autofocus, image stabilization, and manual focus. It records in full HD at 1080p resolution with a frame rate of 30 FPS. The field of view is 78 degrees.
Razer Kiyo Overview
Razer Kiyo is an HD Webcam designed specifically for streaming. It has a 1080p sensor with autofocus and image stabilization. The Razer Kiyo is known for having high video due to its high resolution, sharpness, low-light capability, and color reproduction properties. The device also features a built-in ring light, allowing the user to stand out even more during streams.
The Razer Kiyo is best used for streaming, recording footage for your Twitch/YouTube channel, or editing video content. It has all of the standard features you would expect from a mid-grade webcam: autofocus, image stabilization, and manual focus. The Razer Kiyo records in full HD at 1080p resolution with a frame rate of 30 FPS, while also recording at a faster 60 frames per second rate at 720p. The field of view is 81.6 degrees.
Logitech BRIO Overview
The Logitech BRIO is a 4K UHD webcam that supports 1440p at 30 FPS, 1080p at 60 FPS, and 720p at 120 FPS. It has a 4K sensor with autofocus and image stabilization.
The Logitech BRIO records in full UHD resolution so you can broadcast your live stream or create video content for your channel in amazingly clear quality. The Logitech BRIO has all of the standard features you would expect from a mid-grade webcam: autofocus, image stabilization, manual focus, etc.
What sets the Logitech BRIO apart is that it records in 4K at 30 FPS and 1080p at 60 FPS. The field of view is adjustable, up to a maximum of 90 degrees.
Comparison of c920 vs. Kiyo vs. BRIO
In the comparison of Kiyo vs c920, Logitech c920 vs BRIO, and Razer Kiyo vs BRIO, we will look into various specifications of the individual items in several aspects.
Video Quality
Because BRIO records in 4K UHD while Kiyo and c920 are limited to 1080p, you would expect that the video quality on BRIO would far surpass that of Kiyo and c920.
In reality, it is a little more complicated than that.
First, “video quality” is very broad. If we are talking about image sharpness only, the BRIO (as expected) is the winner.
However, the lighting of your room makes such a difference that it is hard to choose an overall “best” webcam for video quality.
The Logitech BRIO has all of the features you’d expect, plus it records in full 4K UHD resolution at 30 FPS, making it one of the best webcams on the market. As mentioned above, the camera produces very sharp images. Color accuracy is also best on BRIO, whereas the Kiyo and c920 lag slightly in this category.
At 1080p, Kiyo still has excellent webcam image due to its extremely high resolution, sharpness, low-light capability, color reproduction properties, and light-up base. Some would even argue that it is overkill for Skype or Zoom calls. But for streamers, you are always looking for the best image quality.
If your budget is tight and/or you don’t need to stream crystal clear, the Logitech C920 is an excellent choice for a webcam.
The motion-sensing technology and auto-focus on all of these webcams is unspectacular. Other reviewers have pointed out that the auto-focus seems to work too hard. In other words, it is continually trying to focus on a non-moving object that is already in focus. In all likelihood your webcam will perform better with auto-focus turned off.
The Razer Kiyo comes with a built-in ring-light that evenly distributes the light across your face, whereas the Logitech c920 and BRIO do not. For dim lighting, the Kiyo may look better than the other options, despite being 1080p while BRIO is 4K. Realistically, you will get the best performance from any of these webcams in a well-lit room, or with a dedicated light added to your setup.
Price Considerations
The Logitech c920 has an MSRP of ~$80, but can sometimes be found on sale for significantly less.
Razer Kiyo has an MSRP of nearly $100, but is usually on sale for much cheaper.
Logitech BRIO has an MSRP of nearly $200, but can also often be found for less.
Honestly, none of these webcams are a great value at their full MSRP. I wouldn’t purchase any unless I could find a 20%+ discount versus the MSRP. And if you can find a 30%+ discount, any of these webcams become a great value.
Field of View
All of these webcams have a wider field of view than a basic 720p webcam or the webcam that comes built into your laptop.
c920 has a 78 degree FOV, which works well for close-ups of yourself, but isn’t wide enough to capture motion or other people on the screen.
Kiyo has an 81.6 degree FOV, so you get a little more width in your recording.
BRIO has an adjustable FOV with a maximum of 90 degrees. This is an excellent feature, which helps a lot if you need to record any movement. Likewise for Zoom or Skype calls with multiple people, it will be convenient to fit everyone on screen at once.
Audio Quality
Kiyo has worse audio quality compared to the C920 and BRIO. This is due to Logitech’s noise-canceling technology that cancels out background noise like fans, keyboard clicks, etc.
By no means is Logitech’s noise-cancellation perfect, but it sure beats hearing background noise. In a perfectly silent room, Kiyo may have slightly better audio. But if there is any noise whatsoever, c920 and BRIO will outperform.
The Razer Kiyo comes with dual built-in microphones; this means that it has one microphone on each side of the camera. The Logitech c920 comes with one built-in microphone, and the BRIO has two separate microphones.
Add-ons & Accessories
Some of the add-ons will differ based on the model year of product you purchase, the retailer you buy it from, and whether you purchase the product new or used.
Logitech is notorious for making very slight changes to their products and accessories without notifying anyone. Sometimes it is just “luck of the draw” whether you end up with a particular accessory or not. Additionally, most of these webcams can also be found as a bundle, which will include more add-ons than purchasing the product standalone.
The Razer Kiyo does not have any additional software for PC, unlike some other webcams in its price range. Some versions of the Logitech c920, such as the c920x, come with a free version of XSplit. This is considered one of the better streaming software programs on the market.
As far as I have seen, Logitech c920 is the only webcam in the comparison that comes with an H.264 encoder (which is needed to stream on some services). The BRIO and the KIYO both require a separate, third-party H.264 encoder. When using the BRIO and KIYO you need to utilize the H.264 encoder in software like VMIX and other streaming software.
The Razer Kiyo has an internal ring-light that evenly lights up your face and surroundings. It isn’t perfect, and it definitely isn’t as good as a quality add-on light. But we love this feature nonetheless, especially since the BRIO and C920 do not have such technology.
All 3 options are small, sturdy, and well-built. Durability shouldn’t be an issue with any of these products. In testing, I preferred the base of the Kiyo, whereas both Logitech products were a little finnicky to get positioned correctly.
The Logitech BRIO is a great improvement over its older brother, the C920. Its USB 3.0 port allows it to upload and stream faster than webcams that use USB 2.0 ports. The BRIO is a step up from the c920, so if you have a bit more money to spend and want a better webcam, go for the BRIO.
The BRIO also has a longer wire than the other models, by about 2 feet. For many applications, this won’t matter. But depending on your setup, this can add a lot of convenience, and may even save you the additional expense of purchasing a longer cable.
Conclusion
In terms of video quality, Kiyo outdoes the c920. But BRIO still rates #1 due to its UHD video quality.
For audio in a noisy background, you will prefer a Logitech (either c920 or BRIO) which uses noise reduction technology.
If you’re looking for a quality budget webcam that provides solid video and audio quality, go for the Logitech c920.
If you want sharper video, a wider FOV, and can spend a little extra, get the Razer Kiyo. Likewise if you are partial to Razer, which is an excellent manufacturer of gaming peripherals. Some gamers are always going to choose a Razer product over a Logitech, and there is nothing wrong with that!
If you a feature-rich webcam with 4K video and an adjustable, wide-view FOV, get the Logitech BRIO.
