Unfortunately, those extra features come with compromised experiences of their own right now.
Disclaimer:This review was made possible by a review unit provided by BenQ.
The company did not see the contents of the review before publishing.
How many webcams can also become a macro camera?
The webcam quality is solid (more on that below), but cheaper webcams still look better.
After all, anyone can make a webcam with great image quality nowadays, right?
BenQ is differentiating its product with a modular design.
It’s easy to detach the webcam whenever you want and use it as a handheld camera.
This core design all works well and is easy to wrap your mind around.
For the most part, this webcam is also built quite well.
It’s a compact, attractive-enough webcam with solid construction and a versatile design.
The magnets used to attach the lens cover to the webcam?
So weak mild shaking can dislodge it.
The magnets used for the battery bay door on the Control Puck?
The camera isn’t awful, but it’s definitely not the quality I expected at this price.
So weak that it sometimes falls off simply from picking the remote up.
The magnets used to attach the magnifying lens?
Marginally better, but only just (and still not good enough).
The top-down view of my desk, which shows the webcams ability to auto-orientate to make sure text is legible and the image is upside down, but it still lacks detail.(Image credit: Windows Central | Zachary Boddy)
That means (hopefully) packing a great camera, as should be expected at this price point.
With a 3K sensor and a solid feature set, it’s reasonable to expect great image quality.
In optimal lighting conditions, this webcam does look pretty great.
If you have need of the macro lens, it does do a fair job. This is a close-up of the tiny BenQ logo… On the Control Puck.(Image credit: Windows Central | Zachary Boddy)
It does an excellent job reproducing colors.
Autofocus is also often slow and occasionally fails to lock on properly.
For most people, this would be an excellent webcam, though.
I saved you from the horrors of my regular office background, to show you that, while colors are mostly accurate, dynamic range and detail are lacking even in this very well-lit environment.(Image credit: Windows Central | Zachary Boddy)
Better than I expected for a webcam?
It’s easy to detach from the mount to show off anything.
It can provide incredible levels of detail with a macro lens.
The Control Puck can be useful, if you can get a stable connection.
The Control Puck gives you common controls that can be used remotely.
Unfortunately, Enspire itself is a bit of a mixed bag.
The software worksfine, most of the time, but it’s needlessly finicky and inconsistent to use.
The Enspire software is easy to use and good in theory, but it’s frustrating to actually get to work, and the full-featured web version always has lag.
Use Google Meet for work?
Since it’s through the web, though, image quality takes a hit and footage becomes choppy.
Want to use the Windows app?
Similarly priced webcams do a better job as a webcam, but you do get the extras here.
Also, its wireless range is pitifully small.
If I move three feet or more away from the dongle, the Control Puck starts becoming unresponsive.
When these features work, they’re great to have, especially if you do presenta lot.
Unfortunately, these features often don’t work, or at least don’t work well.
Especially if you don’t plan on presenting with your webcamandwant a great value.
Want to go cheaper?
For those that want to splurge, theElgato Facecam Prois hard to pass up.
If you just need a good webcam, this probably isn’t worth paying extra for.
With Enspire, it’s a powerful presentation tool…
Except Enspire is really finnicky to successfully use, and both it and the Control Puck are inconsistent.
If all you need is a good, old-fashioned regular webcam, though, there may be better options.
I really like the ideas BenQ is exploring here, but the image quality and Enspire experience need to improve before that price tag is worth it to everyone.
