Key Takeaways
- The HyperX Vision S Webcam offers premium build quality, stellar low-light performance, and wonderful autofocus, making it a great addition to any home office or streaming setup.
- The webcam's magnetic privacy cover is easy to use while its all-metal construction gives it a premium feel.
- The NGENUITY software may have some issues, but once the settings are configured, it's unlikely that it will be used frequently. The webcam is compatible with major capture software and video conferencing platforms, making it suitable for both Windows and macOS users.
While there's no perfect webcam, you'll find that many require you to make more sacrifices than you'd probably want to. The HyperX Vision S goes against the grain in this regard to offer a well-rounded solution, if you’re up for its $200 premium price. Delivering a solid build quality, stellar low-light performance, fantastic autofocus, and Windows Hello support, it packs a punch in the features department. Add to that a 4K30/1080p60 HDR sensor alongside a magnetic privacy cover and detachable USB-C cable, and you've got a webcam that would be a great addition to any home office or streaming setup.
HyperX Vision S Webcam
The HyperX Vision S Webcam is geared toward streamers, delivering a premium feature set all around. With stellar low-light performance and a native 4K resolution, this webcam could become a go-to for Twitch streamers and at-home workers alike.
- Resolution
- 3840x2160
- Wide Angle Lens
- 90
- Connection
- USB-C
- Mounting
- Monitor, 1/4-20
- Compatibility
- Windows/macOS
- Brand
- HyperX
- Integrated Lighting
- No
- Frames per second
- 30
- Fantastic low light performance
- Detachable USB-C cable
- Native 4K resolution
- Software could use some work
- On the pricier side for a webcam
The Vision S Is Made for High-End Setups
Right away when pulling the HyperX Vision S Webcam out of the box, I was pleasantly surprised by the heft of it and how it felt in the hand. The all-metal build of the camera itself feels premium and worthy of its price tag, while the mount that goes on your computer feels sturdy. It was a nice touch to see that there’s a 1/4-20 thread on the base of the mount too if you’d prefer to screw it to something like a ring light or tripod.
I immediately noticed that the USB-C cable is removable! My desktop only has a single USB-C port on the rear, so even though I've loved my Logitech StreamCam for a few years now, that cam was taking up my only port. It's pretty awesome that the HyperX Vision S Webcam includes a USB-C to USB-A cable in the box, and the cable is removable. You can add a longer cord, swap it for a different one, or just have more flexibility.
When I first plugged the HyperX Vision S into my desktop, I immediately set out to compare it to my current streaming webcam with the Logitech StreamCam. At first, the Vision S didn’t seem as crisp as the StreamCam, but after really comparing the two, and putting a bit more into the scene (RGB lights, face light, etc.) the Vision S really does come out on top. However, its low-light performance is what really sealed the deal for me.
Let’s face it. Many streaming setups are dark by nature to let the RGB lights shine in your room. As such, there’s a real possibility that your face might not have as much light on it as you’d like. This is typically a downfall for most webcams, as the sensors are so small that low-light performance isn’t all that great. But the Vision S blew me away with how it handled the little light in my office setting. With my monitor and one bar light on the wall it looked like the entire room was lit up viewing it through the Vision S. Comparatively, the Logitech StreamCam looked about like what I would expect a webcam to look like with little available light: washed out, grainy, and dull.
The Magnetic Privacy Cover Is a Nice Touch For Mixed-Use Spaces
After reading some other reviews of the Vision S, I was worried that the magnetic privacy cover might be hard to use. Maybe it would be hard to attach or detach, align, or something? Well, after using the webcam, the privacy cover is as easy as you’d expect. The cover can sometimes hold on a little tighter than I expected, meaning I had to use a little more force to pull it off, but it attached the first time, every time. Your privacy is secure at all times when the camera isn’t in use. The cover is made of metal giving it a premium feel and a hefty weight for its size.
Hyperx’s Ngenuity Software Could Use Some Work
On the surface, the NGENUITY software is simple. Select the webcam, tweak the preferences, and you’ll be good to go. However, I noticed that there were some issues with the software and I would, fairly often, have to quit it and re-launch it to get the camera to recognize its control again. For example, when trying to get the positioning right within the camera, it would often just stop moving the crop, and I’d have to re-launch the software. Other times, I was trying to get the white balance correct (manually), and when I’d go back in to change it, the changes wouldn’t reflect in the camera visually. I’d have to restart the software to get it to work—not ideal. But, once you get your settings configured, you’ll likely not be using the NGENUITY software much, so that’s a plus.
The Hyperx Vision S Webcam Works With Basically Any Capture Software
This should be a given, but it’s something I want to point out You’ll find that the HyperX Vision S webcam is compatible with all major capture software, including OBS, StreamLabs, and others. It’s also compatible with Teams, Discord, Zoom, and other video conferencing platforms so you can rest assured that it’ll function exactly how you need it on both Windows and macOS.
Stellar Low- And No-Light Performance Makes This an Ideal Streaming Camera
If I could get the Vision S's low-light performance on my DSLR, I’d be happy. It's great. With very little ambient light in the room—only the glow of my 27-inch monitor and a wall light—the scene was lit almost perfectly. It was a little overcompensating in the shadows in the background, but overall, it looked fantastic. I’d have no problems meeting with co-workers, doing a job interview, or even streaming with it as-is when I had hardly any light in the room.
However, once I turned on my ring light at my desk and added some RGB ambient lighting in the background, things went to the next level. The ideal way to use the webcam, in my opinion, is with an overhead light off, some soft front lighting from behind your monitor onto your face, and accent lighting in the background. If you have a setup like this, I think you’ll be very impressed with the Vision S camera overall.
In the same realm as low-light performance is autofocus, which this camera excels at even when the room is dim. I’ve had zero issues with the autofocus, as it’s easily able to keep track of my face and ensure that I stay nice and sharp. There’s an option for manual focus, which could come in handy if you’re using the Vision S as a top-down camera to record a desk, as you’d be able to ensure that everything stays in focus even if your hands move around.
Windows Hello Integration Is a Nice Touch
Something I wasn’t expecting to find on this camera, but is a very nice addition, is support for Windows Hello. My Logitech StreamCam doesn’t have this functionality, so in my mind, that just wasn’t present in streaming cameras. While Windows Hello will require you to keep the privacy lens off (or pull it off to function), having the ability to use it is quite nice and handy. As my office is in a separate room of the house where I’m only in there to work, I’d likely not have the privacy cover on much, allowing me to take advantage of Windows Hello face recognition instead of inputting a PIN into my computer every time I want to unlock 1Password or log into the computer.
Should You Buy the Hyperx Vision S Webcam?
I think the purchasing decision really comes down to one main question: do you need a webcam this expensive? Coming in at $200, the HyperX Vision S is expensive among webcams, but it also offers a pretty great experience all around. While something like the Logitech StreamCam can be picked up for around $100, the image falls apart as soon as the lights go out. And, with no Windows Hello integration, you’d be typing your password in all the time.
With great 4K30 and 1080p60 HDR performance, fantastic low-light capabilities, Windows Hello integration, and an all-metal build, the Vision S seems like the right value for its $200 price tag. If you’re looking for a solid, premium webcam for a higher-end gaming and streaming setup, then it’s hard to go wrong with the HyperX Vision S. Though, I do hope HyperX works on the NGENUITY software in future updates to make it a bit more smooth and easier to use.
Webcams have come a long way in the past few years. Where we used to be stuck at 720p30 (if that), we now have 1080p60, and even some cameras pushing 4K60. The HyperX Vision S webcam doesn’t quite tip the scales at the highest end of the market, but it does offer some pretty compelling features as your primary, everyday option. Whether you’re looking to stream on Twitch or YouTube, record full-length YouTube videos, or just take Zoom meetings, the HyperX Vision S does a pretty stellar job, beating out competing streaming cameras in the quality department hands-down.
HyperX Vision S Webcam
The HyperX Vision S Webcam is geared toward streamers, delivering a premium feature set all around. With stellar low-light performance and a native 4K resolution, this webcam could become a go-to for Twitch streamers and at-home workers alike.