Quick verdict: Buy the Elgato Facecam MK.2 if you stream at a fixed distance from the camera and want smooth, low-latency 1080p60 with deep manual control. Buy the Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra if you want the best possible image from a webcam: a much larger sensor, 4K resolution, autofocus with face tracking, and natural background blur. The Facecam is the focused streaming tool; the Kiyo Pro Ultra is the bigger, more capable camera and costs more.
- Resolution
- 1080p60
- 4K30 / 1080p60
- Lens
- Fixed focus f/2.0
- —
- FOV
- 90°
- —
- Connection
- USB-C
- —
- Flash Memory
- 20 MB onboard
- —
- Sensor
- —
- 1/1.2" Sony STARVIS 2
- Aperture
- —
- f/1.7
- HDR
- —
- Yes
- DSLR-style image controls in Elgato Camera Hub
- Fixed focus prime lens eliminates autofocus hunting during recording
- Compact design that mounts on a monitor or tripod
- Fixed focus is a limitation for setups where head distance from the camera varies
- 1080p/60fps ceiling means it doesn't match Logitech Brio's 4K output
- 1/1.2" Sony STARVIS 2 sensor captures extraordinary detail in dark conditions
- Fast f/1.7 lens for natural background blur and low-light video
- 4K/30fps with HDR delivers broadcast-quality video for high-end streaming rigs
- The most expensive webcam on this list by a significant margin
- Synapse software has historically been resource-intensive on Windows machines
The Core Difference: Uncompressed 1080p60 vs a Large-Sensor 4K Camera#
The Facecam MK.2 is built around smooth, clean 1080p. Over USB 3.0 it sends uncompressed video at up to 1080p60, which avoids compression artifacts and keeps latency low, two things streamers notice when they are reacting live on camera. It also supports 1080p30, 720p60, 720p30, 540p60, and 540p30, and Elgato notes that it falls back to compressed video on USB 2.0.
The Kiyo Pro Ultra aims higher on raw image quality. It uses a 1/1.2-inch Sony STARVIS 2 sensor with 2.9 μm pixels, which is very large for a webcam, and it records in 4K. A bigger sensor gathers more light and detail per pixel, so the Kiyo produces a richer, more camera-like image, and 4K gives you room to crop or reframe in editing.
Low Light and Background Blur#
Sensor size matters most when the light is poor. Razer pairs the Kiyo Pro Ultra's large sensor with an f/1.7 lens that lets in a lot of light, so it is designed to stay clear and crisp in dim rooms. That wide aperture combined with the big sensor also produces real optical background blur, a portrait-style look that separates you from your room without software effects.
The Facecam MK.2 also uses a Sony sensor and Elgato says it holds natural colors in dimly lit settings, but it does not have the Kiyo's sensor size or optical blur. If you stream from a room without good lighting, the Kiyo Pro Ultra has the clear edge. If you already light your face with a key light, the gap narrows considerably.
Focus: Fixed vs Face-Tracking Autofocus#
The Facecam MK.2 uses a fixed-focus lens. That is a deliberate choice for streaming: the camera never hunts for focus when you move your hands or hold up a product. The trade-off is that you need to sit at a consistent distance, and objects held close to the lens will not be sharp.
The Kiyo Pro Ultra uses AI-assisted face tracking to hold focus on you and automatically adjust exposure to keep your face well lit. That suits creators who move toward and away from the camera, show products up close, or switch between seated and standing shots.
HDR, Controls, and Software#
Both cameras offer HDR at 30 frames per second, which helps balance a bright window behind you with a darker face. On the Facecam MK.2, HDR runs at 1080p30; on the Kiyo Pro Ultra, at 30 FPS with automatic correction of over- and underexposed areas.
Elgato's Camera Hub software is the Facecam's strength. It offers DSLR-style image controls and pan, tilt, and zoom framing, and the settings are designed for creators who want to dial in a look once and keep it. Razer manages the Kiyo Pro Ultra through its Synapse software, and some Windows owners report that Synapse is heavy on system resources.
Both have a privacy shutter. Razer also builds a microphone into the Kiyo Pro Ultra, though most streamers will use a dedicated mic regardless.
Who Should Buy Which#
Choose the Elgato Facecam MK.2 if you:
- Stream from a fixed seat with a consistent distance to the camera
- Want low-latency, uncompressed 1080p60 for smooth live video
- Already light your face and prefer detailed manual control in Camera Hub
Choose the Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra if you:
- Stream or record in a dim room and need the best low-light image
- Want 4K resolution and natural background blur
- Move around on camera or show products up close and need autofocus
Frequently Asked Questions#
Is the Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra better than the Elgato Facecam MK.2?#
For image quality, yes. Its 1/1.2-inch Sony STARVIS 2 sensor, f/1.7 lens, and 4K resolution give it better low-light performance and natural background blur. The Facecam MK.2 is the better fit for streamers who want smooth, uncompressed 1080p60 with fixed focus that never hunts.
Does the Elgato Facecam MK.2 have autofocus?#
No. It uses a fixed-focus lens, which avoids focus hunting during streams but requires you to sit at a consistent distance from the camera. The Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra uses face-tracking autofocus instead.
Which webcam is better in low light?#
The Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra. Its very large sensor with 2.9 μm pixels and its f/1.7 lens are designed to capture more light, keeping the image clear in dim rooms.
Does the Facecam MK.2 need USB 3.0?#
For its best quality, yes. Over USB 3.0 it outputs uncompressed video up to 1080p60. On a USB 2.0 port it still works but switches to compressed video.
The Verdict#
The Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra is the better camera, with a large sensor, 4K resolution, autofocus, and natural background blur that hold up even in poor lighting. The Elgato Facecam MK.2 is the better streaming tool for a fixed, well-lit setup, where uncompressed 1080p60, fixed focus, and Camera Hub's controls matter more than resolution. Choose based on your lighting and how much you move, and see our full webcam reviews for more options.
Where to buy