NearStream VM20 Review: Best 4K Camera for Zoom Meetings?

Do your video calls meet the quality you expect? Statista reports that by 2024, over 38% of people worldwide regularly join remote video meetings. Yet issues like blurry video, muffled audio, and poor autofocus persist—no matter if you’re on Mac or Windows, or using Zoom, Google Meet, or Teams.

Often blamed on internet speed, the real problem may be your device. In this article, tech creator @Jacek Sopotnicki tests the NearStream VM20, a 4K live streaming camera, to see if it can truly improve your Zoom calls. Is this the best camera for meetings? Let’s find out.

What Makes a Good Meeting Room Camera?

Many people still rely on built-in laptop cameras and default headsets. But these often come with major downsides:

Most built-in cameras max out at 720p or 1080p, resulting in poor image quality and lack of detail.
Built-in mics have a narrow pickup range, so your voice may fade with even slight movement.
Lighting shifts can cause overexposure or a washed-out look.
Unreliable autofocus prevents you from looking sharp and professional.

So, what features define a professional meeting room camera?

✅ 4K or Full HD resolution for crisp images and natural skin tones
✅ Built-in noise-canceling mic or external mic support for stable audio
✅ Easy to use digital camera setup with plug-and-play capability
✅ Adjustable settings like brightness, contrast, white balance
✅ Remote control and scene presets for dynamic switching during calls

Real Test: Is the NearStream VM20 the Best Camera for Zoom?

Tech creator Jacek regularly hosts livestreams and participates in Zoom and Google Meet sessions. As someone familiar with both cameras and video conferencing, how does he rate the NearStream VM20?

🎥Confident on Camera Even in Natural Light? VM20 Makes It Easy

“The image quality is far better than most webcams out there,” Jacek notes. “Most only offer 1080p, but this one supports 4K and has optical zoom. The image is clear and detailed.”

He connected the VM20 to a Google Meet session in a natural-lit office, with no extra lighting. Even without enhancements, the camera delivered bright, natural skin tones and sharp background detail. The color depth and contrast made a noticeable improvement in overall clarity.

Jacek also demonstrated the 10x optical zoom, smoothly transitioning from a shoulder-level wide shot to a tight face close-up — all without blur or lag. This makes the VM20 ideal for product demos, whiteboard explanations, and handwritten notes, adding real versatility to remote presentations.

🖛Adjust Your Angle Without Leaving Your Seat

“I often use Google Meet to talk with clients and friends — a simple, reliable setup like this is essential,” says Jacek.

The VM20’s remote control is user-friendly and intuitive. It lets you move the lens, zoom in/out, adjust settings, and manage scene presets. During a live test, Jacek effortlessly switched between wide and close-up views, maintaining a smooth flow without interrupting the meeting.

He also used the remote to tweak brightness and contrast in real-time. With the NearSync app, he could control the camera wirelessly from a tablet — an especially handy feature for creators or professionals who need a flexible and easy to use camera setup.

💻 Software Compatibility: Truly Plug and Play

One of the VM20’s best features is that it works straight out of the box. No drivers, no proprietary apps. Just plug it into your computer’s USB-C port, and your system will recognize it instantly.

Jacek noted, “As soon as I connected the VM20, Google Meet detected it immediately — no setup, just a full-screen feed right away.”

Besides Google Meet, the NearStream VM20 is compatible with Zoom, Microsoft Teams, OBS Studio, Skype, and other platforms — making it a great fit for remote work, e-learning, or livestreaming. Compared to other cameras that require separate apps to function, VM20 simplifies your workflow and reduces system strain.

This makes it not just a meeting room camera, but also one of the best cameras for Zoom and Teams users looking for smooth integration.

🎯 Final Verdict: Would Jacek Use the VM20 for Meetings?

Absolutely — yes!

Jacek confirmed he’d use the NearStream VM20 as his go-to camera for remote meetings. He praised its 4K clarity and particularly the 10x optical zoom, which keeps images crisp even when zoomed in.

During the review, he also tested several smart features:

Auto framing and face tracking to stay centered on screen.
Quick adjustments for brightness, contrast, and white balance via the remote.
Tablet-based control using NearSync for easy angle and preset tweaks.

That said, the VM20 isn’t perfect:

It currently lacks manual sharpness control, so in some conditions, lighting adjustments may be needed.
The AI auto-crop feature can sometimes cut too close — but you can easily switch to manual framing.

Overall, if you care about professional-looking video quality and want a camera that's easy to set up and operate, the VM20 is a reliable and versatile choice — ideal not only for remote meetings, but also for online teaching, product demos, and livestreaming across platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams.

Who Should Use the VM20?

User Type	Why It's a Fit
👩‍💻 Remote Professionals	Clear video for daily calls and client meetings
🧑‍🏫 Online Educators	Accurate lens control for presenting slides, writing, or teaching tools
📦 Product Creators	Full desktop view + zoom for showcasing product features
🎙 Podcast & Content Creators	Stable, multi-angle shots with synced sound enhance production quality