SUB2r is a name that’s popped up in the streaming gear space from time to time as a rare independent competitor in the streaming/broadcast webcam market. Their goal? To sell you on a high-quality image that beats out what you can get from most other webcam solutions.
I previously covered their original production camera and was quite impressed with the openness of the platform and SUB2r as a company, the desire to compete in a space that was (at the time, things have changed much with Elgato, Insta360, Anker, Razer and Nexigo all ramping up competition in the webcam scene as covered here) abandoned with Logitech being the only ones giving lazy refreshes to their old design every couple years. But ultimately, I was frustrated with the manual color controls (spoiled by wonderful color science tech in modern Canon cameras) and other limitations of the smaller sensor size. Plus, they created an Active Green Screen that sounds like something made up in a movie, but it really works.
This time, SUB2r have really come out swinging.
This is the first public demo of the new “Square One” / “Studio 460” cameras from SUB2r, and oh man I would be totally content with this as my “final webcam.”
We’ve got beautiful shallow depth of field blur with crisp subject focus – thanks to the new SONY Starvis IMX294 4K Micro Four Thirds (MFT) sensor and included lens – a nice, wide angle for up-close talking head videos, streams, or conference calls (without showing too much of your room), and great dynamic lighting despite not using studio lights for the shot.
The MFT sensor size is a lovely upgrade over the previous model, which brings many of these improvements inherent to its design. While many streamers have jumped on the full-frame Sony A73/A7s III/etc. bandwagon for their webcams, that expensive investment (especially with a lens) takes up a LOT of space, weighs a ton, is tough to maneuver for streaming setups, and runs the risk of overheating. The Square One/Studio 460 has passive and active cooling to handle temperatures over long broadcast and isn’t much bigger than some of the modern webcam’s released over the past few years.
An estimated 13 stops of dynamic range combined with 10-bit 4:2:2 color possible at 4K 60FPS means it should be easy to get a beautiful image out of this camera, and all of its settings and focus will be controlled over USB or network interface. Wild.
I/O is loaded on this bad boy, too.
The Square One features USB 3.1 for 4:2:0 8-bit video, HDMI for 4:2:2 10-bit video, 12G SFP+ networking onboard, and multiple power options along with an audio input, plus onboard microphones.
The Studio 460 focuses more on the professional broadcast industry, offering 4:2:2 12-bit color output with dual 12G SDI along with USB and SFP+, and has a SDI Genlock input, too!
Accessory mounting rails line the sides.
Both cameras come with a good MFT lens already included, but you do have the option of using whatever MFT (or adapted) lens you want, with powered lenses being supported, too!
While it’s clear these webcams won’t be a budget option, it’s very exciting to see the limitations of the “webcam” format continue to be pushed. At such a small size, I absolutely look forward to getting this thing in my studio, mounted in my prompter and freeing up my bigger cameras for more appropriate work.
Release date has not been specified yet, but working samples already exist.
I’ll share more news and hands-on samples once I can get ahold of one!
