Opal C1 Webcam: A True DSLR Killer for Video Calls? - 33rd Square (2024)

The Opal C1 webcam promises near DSLR-quality video for your daily Zoom meetings. But does this sleek new camera live up to the hype? I put the Opal C1 to the test across work-from-home lighting scenarios. Read on for a hands-on review.

Behind the Camera: Why Opal Saw a Gap in the Webcam Market

Opal‘s founders Veeraj Chugh and Stefan Sohlstrom identified an opportunity amid the rise of remote work during the pandemic. As video calls became ubiquitous, the poor image quality from most integrated webcams became unacceptable. Major webcam companies lacked incentive to innovate until recently.

Chugh and Sohlstrom left their engineering roles at Uber in 2020 to found Opal and build "the best webcam we possibly could" according to Protocol. They recruited Lytro co-founder Kenny Sweet to lead design of the C1.

The Opal C1 promises DSLR-quality video and finer control over lighting and image settings – but does it deliver?

Unboxing the C1: Build Quality Fit For the Big Screen

My first impressions upon unboxing the C1 were overwhelmingly positive. The sleek angular chrome and aluminum body looks right at home perched atop my monitor.

Weighing just 99 grams, the C1 blends seamlessly into any home office setup. It takes up minimal footprint with dimensions of 1.49 x 3.07 inches.

The included mounting options – available in black and white – provide flexibility. I appreciated the option to angle the C1 lower or higher relative to eye level.

The handsome yet understated design reflects Opal‘s premium positioning. It looks and feels a cut above consumer-oriented options from Logitech or Razer.

DSLR-Worthy Hardware Packed Into a Petite Frame

Despite its small size, the C1 doesn‘t compromise on hardware. It sports a fast f/2.0 7.8mm lens that takes in over 2x more light than a typical webcam. This proved pivotal for handling tricky lighting scenarios.

The Sony IMX377 image sensor captures crisp 4K video at a roomy 60 fps. It madecolors come alive with incredible vibrancy.

The onboard MicMesh microphone array effectively eliminated background noise in my apartment. My voice captured rich and full-bodied on calls.

Unrivaled Image Quality Across Lighting Conditions

I tested the Opal C1 across various work-from-home settings:

Backlit against a bright window: The C1 adjusted seamlessly to prevent me from appearing too dark or blown out. No need to close blinds.

Under dim overhead lighting: The fast lens pulled in enough light to brightly illuminate me without noise.

Room lamps only after sunset: AUTO mode prevented noticeable graininess in low light. I looked brightly lit despite limited lighting.

The C1 outperformed my MacBook‘s 720p webcam by a long shot. It also beat my iPhone‘s front camera under challenging backlit and low light conditions.

For the price, the Opal C1 delivers vastly superior image quality across the board. Noticeably fewer dropped frames resulted in smoother, more professional-looking video.

Fine-Tuning Your Best Self: Opalsoft Features

The (currently free) Opalsoft desktop app unlocks the C1‘s full potential for customization. granular settings like brightness, contrast, saturation and more.

Handy touches like FaceLock auto-adjust exposure specifically around your face region. This prevented blowouts on my shiny forehead or cheeks.

Gesture controls felt gimmicky at first, but I grew to love pinch-zooming into my upper body for presentations. The peace sign finger trigger to disable video also amused coworkers.

Easily my favorite feature was Portrait Mode-esque background bokeh. Blurring my messy room heightened focus on me – perfect for client video calls.

Room for Refinement: Early Software Quirks

As sleek as the Opal C1 hardware itself looks and functions, the macOS-only Opalsoft app remains quite barebones.

Changing camera settings requires far too many clicks compared to Logitech or Razer‘s webcam software. Streamlining common adjustments would help productivity.

MacOS Monterey compatibility issues also reared up. Initially the C1 failed to deliver any video feed. An update swiftly resolved this, but tighter software integration must remain an area of focus.

The Final Verdict: Worth Splurging On?

The Opal C1 clearly delivers best-in-class image quality for desktop video conferencing. For remote professionals, creative freelancers and aspiring online content creators frustrated by grainy integrated webcams, the C1 finally offers a convenient high-quality solution.

But for the average knowledge worker, it represents a harder sell when the MacBook webcam suffices. $300 may exceed budgets, especially before economizing perks like Gesture Control and Portrait Mode.

For now, the Opal C1 stands alone as a premium option. But with renewed interest in the webcam market, competition from both startups and established players looks poised to heat up.

Savvy early adopters and remote work power users will find the Opal C1 a justifiable splurge. But more budget-conscious shoppers may prefer waiting a generation or two for DSLR-quality webcams to mature and drop in price.

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Opal C1 Webcam: A True DSLR Killer for Video Calls? - 33rd Square (2024)

FAQs

Does the Opal C1 have a mic? ›

The Opal C1 comes with MicMesh™, an array of beamforming microphones that find and focus on the sound of your voice. And with intelligent noise cancellation, every ding, drop and dog bark is filtered out to get an audio experience that clearly speaks for itself.

Does the Opal camera only work with Mac? ›

The Opal C1 only works with Apple computers for now. When connected to a Windows PC you won't be able to access any of its software powered features.

What is Opal C1? ›

Opal C1. The first professional webcam. Materials. C1 body is made of three different materials that make the camera great to hold and even better to look at. Adaptable.

How do I contact Opal camera? ›

📧 Contact Support

If the above steps don't resolve the issue, reach out to us at support@opalcamera.com for further assistance.

Does the Opal C1 support Windows? ›

Standard USB Webcam (UVC): The C1 camera can function as a standard USB webcam using the Universal Video Class (UVC) protocol for Windows and Linux. However, this mode is not fully supported, and users might encounter some issues so we do not suggest it.

Is C1 a good microphone? ›

This is a great all-around studio recording mic, ideal for capturing vocals and instruments in the studio. It also excels in live applications.

Does Opal work with windows? ›

The Tadpole camera is versatile and is fully compatible with Windows over USB, even without the Opal Composer software. This means Windows users can use the Tadpole webcam seamlessly. However, to unlock its full potential and customization options on macOS, using it with the Composer software is recommended.

Does the Opal C1 work on an iPad Pro? ›

The Opal C1 camera can work as a standard USB webcam over UVC when connected to an iPad. However, it's important to note that while it might function, it's not fully supported. This means you may encounter some limitations or issues when using the C1 with an iPad.

How to install an opal camera? ›

Turn the camera upside down and using the key provided, attach the mount to the bottom of the C1. Use the cable provided and plug into both the back of your C1 and your computer. Once the camera is mounted to your monitor you can adjust the angle using the hinge in the mount by pulling the camera toward you.

Why is opal so rare? ›

Silica is one of the most common minerals on the planet, but precious opal is very rare – far more rare than diamonds. Precious opal is rare because the natural processes that create it rarely occur. Most (at least 95%) of the opal found by miners is common opal without gem colour.

Which opal is better? ›

The most valuable and popular of all Opals is Black Opal. Black Opal accounts for around 5% and is found at Lightning Ridge in Northern NSW. It is called Black Opal because it has a black base caused by black or grey iron oxide impurities in the Opal.

Can you use a DSLR as a webcam? ›

DSLR cameras are pieces of hardware designed to be used independently of a computer to capture images and videos. These external cameras can also be used as webcams by connecting them to your laptop or desktop with a USB cord or HDMI cable.

Can I put my Opal on my phone? ›

The Opal digital card sits in the digital wallet of your mobile device, so you can tap on and tap off with your phone when using public transport. Learn more on how you can register to trial the card.

Can Opal tap by phone? ›

Using Express Mode for Apple Pay or Samsung Pay Transit

iPhone, Apple Watch and Samsung phone users who add their contactless credit card or debit card to their digital wallet can tap on and tap off Opal readers without needing to wake or unlock their device.

Does Opal have an app? ›

Opal Travel is the official app for managing your travel across the public transport network in Sydney (Australia), and surrounding regions.

Does LG C1 have a microphone? ›

Speaking of remotes, the LG C1 OLED comes with the wonderful LG Magic Remote that's Bluetooth-enabled and has a built-in microphone for voice searches.

What is the difference between C1 and C3 mic? ›

The C3 looks almost identical to the C1, but it is marginally less sensitive, at 12mV/Pa, though this isn't evident from a comparative listening test in cardioid mode. In most respects, though, the C3's main figures are within a decibel of the C1.

Does LG CX have a microphone? ›

Unlike the more premium members of the LG OLED family, the CX OLED does not have far-field microphones built-in, so you're limited to the microphone input on the remote.

Does the LG c2 have a microphone? ›

Just look at the module right under the screen on the front of the TV. You will see the ir sensor, ambient light sensor, and the two small mic holes one on each side.

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