With the Pro Webcam WB5023, Dell promises professional image quality for office applications, such as meetings via Zoom or Microsoft Teams, in keeping with the name. The webcam should not only convince with an elegant appearance and the built-in hardware, but also with the help of numerous software functions.
WQHD at 30 FPS with HDR< /h2>
Whereas the vast majority of webcams still have a resolution of 1,920 × 1,080 pixels, Dell's new camera offers 2,560 × 1,440 pixels according to WQHD – but only at a maximum of 30 FPS. When used with Full HD, the frame rate doubles to 60 FPS. The sensor used comes from a family that is well-known in the segment: A Starvis CMOS sensor from Sony is used, for example, in the Elgato Facecam designed for streamers and the competing Razer Kiyo Pro (comparative test). The backlit sensors were actually intended for surveillance cameras with advertised suitability for dark environments, but have recently also enjoyed great popularity among webcam manufacturers.
Dell does not specify the exact model, but according to WQHD image output, the sensor must have at least 3.8 megapixels. The wide-angle lens, in turn, offers an open aperture of f/2.0 and a field of view of 78 degrees, which corresponds to a 35mm equivalent of around 27 mm focal length. The Pro Webcam also has autofocus and a technique called AI Auto Framing – the camera should recognize the person being filmed and keep it in the center of the picture when they move. The concept is reminiscent of Apple's Center Stage and is presumably achieved via a crop and an associated reduction in resolution and field of view, because the camera itself does not move.
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Dell Pro Webcam (Image: Dell)
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Dell Pro Webcam (Image: Dell)
Other software features include digital overlap HDR at up to 30 fps, face detection for automatic exposure compensation, and noise correction with temporal ( 3DNR) and spatial (2DNR) algorithm. The built-in microphone also has a noise correction.
For narrow screen edges and with magnetic cover
The cylindrical housing of the Pro Webcam is designed with narrow display bezels in mind and only covers the screen minimally, according to Dell. Alternatively, the camera can also be mounted on tripods. A magnetic cover for the front lens is included in delivery. The webcam is connected via a 150 cm long USB-A cable; at least USB 2.0 is required.
Under Windows 10, 11 and macOS, users with Dell Peripheral Manager or Dell Display an Peripheral Manager have configuration software at their disposal. For example, a digital zoom can be set to a field of view of 65 degrees – which corresponds to a KB focal length of around 34 mm – the HDR mode or the auto-framing functionality. Standard parameters such as contrast, color saturation, sharpness or brightness can also be adjusted.
The price is high again
According to Dell, the Pro Webcam WB5023 should be available by the end of August 2022. The suggested retail price is 227 euros. This puts the camera in good company, as the models from Elgato and Razer mentioned at the beginning are hardly cheaper.