Dell UltraSharp Webcam review: Excellent hardware, but image quality can't beat Logitech

Dell Ultrasharp Webcam Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central

While webcams take become very important to how nosotros now work, it's rather remarkable that Logitech — who released the Panache 4K back in 2022 — is all the same the acme offer. That's not to say other companies aren't gunning for the king. Dell's new UltraSharp Webcam certainly has many of the right features (on paper), only is it absolutely better?

I've been using Dell's big new camera for a few months now, and while the UltraSharp advances the category in some meaningful means, Dell still has room to abound in the image processing department.

Dell Ultrasharp 4k Reco

Dell UltraSharp Webcam

Lesser line: Dell'south UltraSharp Webcam brings excellent, quality hardware to the increasingly competitive pro webcam market place. But while the hardware is fantastic and the software is easy to use, it's notwithstanding not better than the (now) cheaper Logitech BRIO 4K.

The Good

Outstanding blueprint
Windows Hello and presence detection
Easy-to-utilise software
4K/30 video, 8MP sensor

The Bad

Color science is non as good as Logitech's
Presence detection unlikely to work on desktop PCs
No horizontal tilt
Dull car-focus, dark prototype, non so sharp

Dell UltraSharp Webcam: Price and availability

Dell Ultrasharp Webcam Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central

The Dell UltraSharp Webcam is available through Amazon and Dell straight for $200. There are no options or differing configurations.

Dell UltraSharp Webcam: What you lot'll like

Dell Ultrasharp Webcam Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central

There's no doubt that Dell is really trying with the UltraSharp. Dell nailed the looks, feel, quality, and specs list if y'all could blueprint the perfect webcam.

Out of the box, yous get a solid, hefty, tube-like camera. Information technology'south all machined anodized aluminum and eschews the plastics like in Logitech'south cameras. The magnets are strong, won't shake loose, and are machined with precision. Included are 2 mounts — one for your PC display and one for a tabletop that doubles a tripod mount. The mounts are purely magnetic, which is excellent. Just pull away and swap out with no tools or screws.

Connectivity is achieved through a Type-C to Blazon-A cable (the Type-C is for the camera; Type-A for the PC) that measures around 7 feet in length, more than enough for most setups. It's rubber, thick, and feels capable.

Dell Ultrasharp Webcam Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central

Dell makes use of magnets once more as the included privacy chapeau only sticks to the forepart glass, ensuring the camera cannot record anything. In a clever move, when not in use, Dell lets you slap information technology to the rear of the camera (also using magnets) so that you don't misplace it.

Category	Dell UltraSharp Webcam (WB7022)
Resolution	4K UHD / 24, 30 Total Hd / 24, 30, 60 Hd / 24, 30, sixty
Megapixel	8.3MP
Sensor brand	Large Sony STARVIS CMOS
FOV	65, 78, 90 degrees
Hd Digital Zoom	Up to 5x
Auto-light correction	Advanced Digital Overlap (DOL) HDR Video Noise Reduction (3D+2D)
Auto white balance	Yes
AI Motorcar-Framing	Yep
Microphone	No
Privacy	Windows Hello Dell ExpressSign-in
Certification	Microsoft Teams, Zoom
Size	42mm x 90mm 1.65 10 3.54 inches
Material	Anodized aluminum
Connectivity	USB-A USB-C to USB-A (inbox)

Turning to the chief bespeak, the camera, and on paper, Dell again hits the right notes. A massive 8.3MP camera, Windows How-do-you-do, HDR, Sony sensor, 4K-capable — it'southward all great. Windows Hello works without a hitch, and Dell'southward ExpressSign-In (aka presence detection) works well to automatically turn on your PC and log you in without touching a matter. As well, it tin can car-lock your PC when you lot walk away.

Dell Ultrasharp Webcam Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Fundamental

The software (Dell Peripheral Manager) is automatically installed when you plug the photographic camera into your PC. No need to search out an app on the web. Dell Peripheral Managing director is uncomplicated to employ and walks you lot through the initial setup. From at that place, you tin can use the default setting or use some presets like smooth, vibrant, or warm. Of form, there is as well custom where you tin can create your own profiles where you configure the field of view (65, 78, or 90 degrees), focus, zoom, HDR, white balance, sharpness, contrast, and more.

Dell Ultrasharp Software Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central

Nether Camera Control is AI Auto Framing, which is a real selling point. When enabled, information technology overrides the field of view preset, and information technology follows your face/trunk. It'due south an fantabulous option for those who fidget on camera or move around slightly during calls, as information technology means y'all'll always be centered. The action is smoothen and looks purposeful, besides.

Dell UltraSharp Webcam: What you won't like

Dell Ultrasharp Webcam Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Fundamental

This camera does not have a built-in microphone. That'due south odd, but Dell makes a practiced point that most people who need a more "pro-level" webcam volition also bring a higher quality microphone. It also makes for less confusion in Windows every bit to what is your default mic. Still, if you lot don't accept an external mic (on your desktop) or your laptop's mics are poor, yous'll have to spend some actress greenbacks to solve that.

While the Dell UltraSharp tilts nicely upward and down, information technology does not move side to side. It's non a deal-breaker, but a pivoting mechanism would have been beneficial.

Brio Vs Dell Left to right: Logitech BRIO, Dell UltraSharp with NVIDIA GeForce AI blurring. Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central

The default prototype settings for the Dell UltraSharp Webcam are not to my liking. The white residuum seems slightly off, my skin looks redder than in existent life, images are too soft, and the overall picture seems darker than other webcams. Information technology's not terrible, and some may prefer the look, but the out-of-the-box regular settings don't seem ideal.

The good news is you can create your own profile and "dial-in" sharpness, brightness, white balance, and more to suit your needs. After doing then, my thoughts on paradigm quality improved. But this is where Logitech nevertheless has an reward, equally the Brio 4K just works without whatsoever user tweaking. Also, I was never able to tweak Dell's camera to match the look of Logitech'southward.

Brio Vs Dell Left to right: Logitech Panache vs. Dell UltraSharp (default). Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central

Human presence detection, aka Dell ExpressSign-in, is unlikely to work on many desktop PCs, which is disappointing. Dell notes on its website that "Walk Away Lock and Wake on Approach does not work" on computers that back up an S3 sleep state. That'due south nearly desktop PCs, as laptops use the S0 sleep state (Modernistic Standby) instead. I'thousand a massive fan of this characteristic on laptops and was excited to accept it on my cutting-edge Intel 12th Gen system, but the characteristic won't fifty-fifty bear witness up in the app (also confusing). But if y'all programme to use this camera on your laptop, ExpressSign-in worked as advertised, and information technology is an first-class security option.

Brio Vs Dell Left to right: Logitech BRIO vs. Dell UltraSharp (custom settings). Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Cardinal

While I like the thought of the magnetic privacy hat, at to the lowest degree on my desktop setup, I often just laid it on the desk when not in use, as reaching to place it behind the camera is quite a stretch. Logitech has an optional $ix privacy lid that just opens and closes and is much easier to apply.

Dell UltraSharp Webcam: Contest

Dell Ultrasharp Webcam Vs Logitech Razer Left to right: Dell UltraSharp, Logitech BRIO, Razer Kiyo Pro. Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central

The most apparent alternative to this Dell webcam is the Logitech Panache 4K, which is now priced around $150. Despite it beingness almost 4 years erstwhile, information technology'due south still one of the best options out in that location. Information technology lacks the excellent build quality, mounting options, and Dell's nifty ExpressSign-in characteristic, but the epitome quality (without tweaking) is yet at the acme with an overall sharper, brighter pic.

Razer too has its Kiyo Pro, which is ginormous and boasts splendid low-light abilities. In my feel, it's an OK webcam that's size doesn't match the promises, but it is precipitous. It, too, costs $200. It is the worst out of all three.

You lot tin see more options in our best webcam guide.

Dell UltraSharp Webcam: Should you purchase it?

Dell Ultrasharp Webcam Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Primal

You should purchase this if ...

You desire a flexible 4K webcam for everyday employ
You want a amend webcam for your laptop
You want Dell ExpressSign-in for security

Y'all shouldn't buy this if ...

You want the best 4K webcam

Going into this, I had high hopes every bit Dell gets a lot right with the UltraSharp Webcam. Only every bit the saying goes, when you lot come up at the male monarch, you best not miss. Dell misses compared to the Logitech BRIO 4K, which is astonishing considering that the photographic camera is 4 years old. It's not that the hardware is at fault, as I'd rate Dell's design and quality equally better than the BRIO, merely the software and colour science are only not as good as Logitech'south, who has much more than feel in this field.

It is a bit ironic that despite its name being UltraSharp, I don't detect this webcam to be that sharp at all. Indeed, it often seems soft to me while keeping the text in the background focused.

In theory, those criticisms mean that Dell could push updates to the UltraSharp Webcam (both in software and firmware) to address the soft-focus, white rest, and brighten up scenes. Simply y'all should never buy a product based on what could be instead of what information technology is (and there are no signs of whatsoever substantial Dell updates in the pipeline).

Dell'due south camera exacerbates these issues being around $50 more than Logitech's. That makes recommending it over the BRIO very difficult.

None of this is to say this UltraSharp is bad. Indeed, I'll easily argue it is hands the second-all-time webcam on the market right at present, and it does have some strong points, including ease of mounting. But Dell needs a bit more practice to become the software tuning down before it topples Logitech.

Dell Ultrasharp 4k Reco

Dell UltraSharp Webcam

Lesser line: Dell'due south UltraSharp Webcam comes close to toppling Logitech, simply while the hardware is a winner, the soft, dim image suggests Dell notwithstanding needs work in the software department.

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