Whether in the home office, video chatting with the family, on the Discord server or streaming on Twitch - you often need a good webcam. How nice that you can use the SLR or digital camera as a webcam. Various manufacturers offer corresponding drivers and apps so that you can use the photo and video cameras on the Apple Mac and Windows PC for live broadcasts. In this guide you will find solutions for cameras from Nikon, Canon, Sony, Olympus, Panasonic and Fujifilm. Of course, I have also linked the download sources for you from all these manufacturers.
Chapter in this post:
- 1 Use a Nikon camera as a webcam on Mac and PC
- 2 Use a Canon camera as a webcam on Mac and PC
- 3 Use the Sony camera as a webcam on Mac and PC
- 4 Use the Olympus camera as a webcam on Mac and PC
- 5 Use a Panasonic camera as a webcam on Mac and PC
- 6 Use the Fujifilm camera as a webcam on Mac and PC
- 7 Similar posts
Use the Nikon camera as a webcam on Mac and PC
If you want to use a Nikon camera as a webcam on your computer, the “Nikon Webcam Utility” will help you. The program, which was only available as a beta for a long time, has been available in version 4 for macOS and Windows since November 2020, 1.0. On the Apple Mac, it is compatible with macOS versions 10.13 High Sierra, 10.14 Mojave, and 10.15 Catalina.
The following models are supported as webcam: Z 7II, Z 7, Z 6II, Z 6, Z 5, Z 50, D7500, D7200, D5600, D5500, D5300, D3500, D850, D810, D780, D750, D500, D6 and D5.
- Nikon Webcam Utility for Mac: Information and Download
- Nikon Webcam Utility for Windows: Information and Download
Use Canon camera as webcam on Mac and PC
The program for using a Canon camera as a webcam on the computer has a very similar name, namely "EOS Webcam Utility". It has been available for Windows users since April 2020 and for Mac users since May 2020. However, so far it is still one Beta version. Nevertheless, it should be possible to create a good webcam solution with a compatible camera and possibly a tripod.
These EOS models can be used: 1D X Mark III, 1D X Mark II, 5DS R, 5DS, 5D Mark IVR, 6D Mark II, RP, 7D Mark II, 90D, 80D, 77D, Rebel T7i, Rebel T6i, Rebel T7, Rebel T6, Rebel SL3, Rebel SL2, Rebel T100, M6 Mark II, M50 and M200. As well as these PowerShot models: G5X Mark II, G7X Mark III and SX70 HS.
- Information, tutorial videos, PDF guide and download: Official website
- German website with less content, but download: Canon page (German)
Use the Sony camera as a webcam on Mac and PC
Since October 2020, it has also been possible to use Sony cameras as a webcam on the computer - and since then especially on the Apple Mac. The technology manufacturer's solution is called "Sony Imaging Edge" and is available for both macOS and Windows. On the software download page, you must first select the camera model; only then can the app be dragged onto the hard drive.
The following ILCE models are compatible: 7M2, 7M3, 7C, 7RM2, 7RM3, 7RM4, 7S, 7SM2, 7SM3, 9, 9M2, 5100, 6100, 6300, 6400, 6500 and 6600. As well as these ILCA models: 77M2, 99M2 , 68.The following digital and vlog cameras model DCS are also available: HX95, HX99, RX0, RX0M2, RX100M4, RX100M5, RX100M5A, RX100M6, RX100M7, RX10M2, RX10M3, RX10M4, RX1RM2, W700, WX800. And finally the Sony ZV-1.
- German site with information, operating instructions and download: Click here
Use the Olympus camera as a webcam on Mac and PC
An Olympus camera can also be used as a webcam on the computer under Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS. As with the programs mentioned above, no very powerful machines are required for this. As long as you can use the current operating system (up to 10.12 Sierra on a Mac), you should be able to use the following Olympus OM-D cameras as webcams: E-M1X, E-M1 Mark III, E-M1 Mark II, E- M1, E-M5 Mark II. The manufacturer points out, however, that the software is still in beta status and therefore errors could occur.
- Information, instructions, download options and more: Website (English / Japanese)
Use a Panasonic camera as a webcam on Mac and PC
If you want to use a Panasonic camera as a webcam on your computer, you can do so with the “LUMIX Tether for Streaming” app. Here, too, there are no overly demanding system requirements and under macOS the compatibility even goes back to Mac OS X 10.11. There is also the “LUMIX Webcam Software”, which is less geared towards streaming than video conferencing and video chat. Compatible camera models are: DC-S1H, DC-S1R, DC-S1, DC-S5, DC-GH5S, DC-GH5, DC-G9 (as well as DC-G100 / G110 in the future).
- Information and download - LUMIX Tether for Streaming: On this page
- Information and download - LUMIX webcam software: On that side
Use the Fujifilm camera as a webcam on Mac and PC
And finally there is the option of using a Fujifilm camera as a webcam on the computer. The program required for this is called "FUJIFILM X Webcam" and is also available for the two major operating systems - in each case version 2.0. On the Mac from OS versions 10.12 Sierra to 10.15 Catalina. Cameras that can be used to deliver live broadcasts are: GFX100, GFX 50S, GFX 50R, X-H1, X-Pro3, X-Pro2, X-T4, X-T3, X-T2, X- S10. Most of the aforementioned programs require 1 to 2 GB of RAM. A minimum of 4 GB of RAM is recommended for the solution in this paragraph.
- FUJIFILM X webcam information and download for Mac and PC: Call with this link
- Peyton, Christine (Author)
- Kiefer, Philip (Author)
- Bohinc, Tomas (Author)
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After graduating from high school, Johannes completed an apprenticeship as a business assistant specializing in foreign languages. But then he decided to research and write, which resulted in his independence. For several years he has been working for Sir Apfelot, among others. His articles include product introductions, news, manuals, video games, consoles, and more. He follows Apple keynotes live via stream.
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