With so many live streaming cameras on the market, how do you choose the one that’s right for you?
In today’s market, live streaming cameras come in all shapes and sizes. Some are priced high due to brand reputation, while others are cheap but lack quality and reliable after-sales support. For most people, choosing a camera that meets their needs without breaking the bank can be a real challenge.
If you’re a game streamer or content creator just starting out and have a limited budget, then you might want to check out @Roam’s honest review of the NearStream VM20 4K Streaming Camera. This is a high-performance camera that costs under $300, making it an excellent option for those looking for a budget-friendly yet effective streaming camera. Curious about how it manages to offer great quality without a hefty price tag? Let’s dive into Roam’s review and find out!
Roam’s In-Depth Review of the NearStream VM20: Is This the Good 4K Streaming Camera?
Roam starts his review by saying: "This camera is designed for content creators, gamers, and anyone who needs high-quality video for streaming."
The intro footage in Roam’s video is captured with the VM20, allowing viewers to directly experience its video quality. Then, Roam began to measure camera image quality from multiple aspects.
How does the NearStream VM20 perform in Low-Light Conditions?
Roam was particularly impressed by the 4K resolution and its performance in low-light streaming environments. When Roam turned off the lights in the room, he found: " It surprisingly does really well in low-light settings."
This is especially beneficial for streamers who might not have access to perfect lighting setups but still want to maintain high-quality visuals.
Many game streamers prefer to stream in dimly lit rooms to reduce ambient light interference and focus more on the game visuals or interaction with their audience. At the same time, many home streamers lack professional lighting equipment or deal with naturally dim lighting in their rooms. In such cases, a camera that performs well in low light can effectively improve video quality, ensuring clear and stable footage even in less-than-ideal lighting conditions.
How does NearStream VM20’s 10x Optical Zoom perform for Streamers?
Another standout feature of the NearStream VM20 is its 10x optical zoom. Roam praised this feature, saying: " It has a 10x optical zoom and a 4x digital zoom, giving you a total of 40x hybrid zoom. This zoom feature is especially useful when the camera is placed farther away from you."
Whether it's for streamers, sports event broadcasts, educational content, conference coverage, or vloggers, the camera allows for easy adjustments to focus, capturing both distant details and wide shots with clear, high-quality visuals.
Roam's Impressive Audio Experience
360° Sound with the NearStream VM20's 8-Microphone Array
When it comes to audio quality, Roam was equally impressed with the NearStream VM20’s 8-microphone array. He notes: "I can walk around the room, and it still picks up sound within a 16-foot radius."
The ability to capture sound from all angles allows streamers to interact more naturally with their audience, without worrying about being too close to the microphone or adjusting it mid-stream.
AI Noise Cancellation in Action: How Roam Tested It with Background Noise
Roam also tried out the AI noise cancellation feature: “This camera has AI-powered noise cancellation to filter out background noise, so your voice comes through clear and crisp, even if there’s some ambient noise."
To test this, Roam turned on a drone to simulate background noise: "I’m launching this drone to see if the camera can block out the noise—probably not completely, but let’s find out together." After testing, he remarked: "It didn’t block it entirely, but the background noise was significantly reduced, making my voice clearer to the audience."
Sound Quality: How Does It Perform?
In his microphone test, Roam found that if you're simply looking for basic audio capture, the camera does a great job.
However, for those who are singers or have higher audio quality standards, it's recommended to use an external microphone. Luckily, this camera features a 3.5mm mic input, allowing you to connect an external mic for superior sound performance.
H2: Versatile Connectivity: How the NearStream VM20 Makes Streaming Easy for Everyone
Roam is impressed with how easy it is to set up the NearStream VM20. The camera is plug-and-play—no drivers or apps are needed, making it ideal for users who want a hassle-free setup.
He also appreciates the variety of connection options, including HDMI, USB-C, and RJ45. These wired connections offer a stable and reliable connection, which is especially important for streaming: "The wired options are a big plus because they provide more stability than wireless cameras."
Additionally, the camera supports RTSP, making it simple to stream to platforms like YouTube and OBS.
Multi-Cam Setup: Perfect for Streamers Wanting to Show Multiple Angles
One of Roam’s favorite features is the multi-camera setup capability. The NearStream VM20 supports connecting multiple cameras through the RJ45 port, which is perfect for streamers who want to show different angles during a live broadcast. Plus, the camera’s bottom has a ¼” thread mount, allowing you to securely mount it anywhere, making multi-camera setups even easier.
Although he only has one camera at the moment, Roam sees the benefit of this feature for more advanced setups: "I’ll probably get a couple more cameras for different angles in my videos. I especially need one for close-up shots, so you can always get a good look at my face—though I really don’t like that idea."
Privacy Features and Remote Control
Roam also appreciates the privacy features of the NearStream VM20: "You can easily mute the mic or turn off the video if you need to. When the mic is muted, the camera’s light turns red to let you know, which is a nice touch."
Conclusion: Upgrade Your Stream with the NearStream VM20 4K Camera
Whether you're a gamer, content creator, or simply looking to improve your live streaming setup, the NearStream VM20 is definitely worth considering.
He shared a funny story at the end: he’d been thinking about getting into live streaming, and he and his buddy spent an entire week trying to figure things out with their old cameras. Despite their efforts, they couldn’t get everything working as they wanted. But with the VM20, all they had to do was plug it in, and they were good to go.
So, for anyone who’s new to streaming or just wants a hassle-free setup, this camera is really a great choice. If you think this camera might be the right fit for you, click here to learn more.
