Camo Camera Reviews

by Manidoo My'iingun

CAMO is an excellent product. However, there are problems getting it to function when the other software changes -- like TEAMS and Webex. Then you have to re-install. I'm not good at that. So, I have had to rely on the excellent support team at CAMO. That said, it takes time. A big improvement would be to eliminate the need for the user to jump through hoops everytime the world around CAMO changes. That said, the picture clarity is excellent, especially good in a confined space where a SLR cannot function. Also, iPhone requires different green screen lighting. TEAMS shows more bounce than Zoom. That's not CAMO's problem but could be a nice feature/benefit problem for them to solve. I use the product every day. So, I love it.

by Cgrella

I compared this to epocam which is used with the elgato family of products and vcam. Reincubate is superior. It has a very natural looking depth of field background blur whereas the other two pixelated the area around the portrait.

It has only one downside, which was still not enough to knock it down a star, which is that it requires a wired connection from your phone to your Mac or pc. Not an issue if you’re using as a webcam or to feed in video to obs or streaming. It might be an issue for those trying to do mobile filmmaking. But then you’re probably not looking for webcam software.

I recommend the developer work on a wireless option which will allow the phone to be used further from the computer which opens up a wider range of film angles.

by Slender Rhino

I thought about spending $200 or more to get a good HD webcam. Then learned about Reincubate Camo from Joanna Stern's review in the Wall Street Journal. I'm only using the free version with my iPhone 12, and it is awesome. I have a goodneck mount holding my iPhone above my external monitor. I have a lightning cable plugged in to my USB port on the monitor. I open Camo on the phone, open Camo Studio on my MacBook Pro, and then Zoom automatically recognizes it as a webcam. You get the quality of iPhone lenses for your webcam. Totally love it. I suppose the one downside is you can't use your iPhone while it's being used as a webcam. But you probably should be focused on your meeting instead of texting anyway!

by Virote328

I think CamoCamera is perfect. It is easy to use. Just got to install the iphone app and the mac app. Plug in the lightning cable and you are ready to start using your iphone/iPad as a camera. I noticed right away that the iphone's camera was better than my macbook's built in camera. I'll try to use this camera as much as possible. Thanks!

There is no wifi option. I've tried other apps that support it and it's choppy and laggy. I think this is why Camo has decided to do the wired appoach to give the best user experience with the least amount of complications.

by PSiMac

After being quite frustrated with various webcam functionality and quality, I thought, "how about I just repurpose an old iPhone?" After doing a web search it seemed viable. Then I tried some other software and it just didn't do what I wanted--too cumbersome, not feature rich enought, or simply didn't work with my aging Mac or my old iPhone. Camo checked all the boxes. I really find no fault with it at all! I'm going to be upgrading to the Pro edition to unlock even more great features. Thanks to the developer for making such a fantastic Application.

by Chris C-B

I use Camo for my job as a professor. My teaching switched to being online during the pandemic, so I researched high quality web cams. Camo turns your iPhone into the highest quality webcam you can imagine. It uses the iPhones superb rear facing camera to produce high quality images. You buy a tripod, or a gooseneck clip to attach the iPhone to your desk, plus the phone into your computer via your regular charging cable, and viola you look 10 times better than with the tiny webcam built into your computer. Add an external USB mic or a set of AirPods, and you're ready for high quality video conferencing where you're heard and seen with much higher clarity. Camo is definitely worth the price if you video conference every day.

by Blunabulus

This fills a niche: the "why can't I use my phone (or an old phone) as a webcam?" niche. The free version is totally usable and the paid version adds lots of spiffy controls. I got under-24 hour helpful response from tech support with some qustions. For browser-based webcam applications you need to use Chrome, seemingly because of the limits the developers placed on other browsers. I had a little trouble until i remembererd to start things up in sequence: first the Camo phone app, then the Camo desktop app, then Chrome. Lets me use my Mac Mini for webcam aoolications, and the video quality is much higher than my various built-in webcams. Full marks!

by Dr David W

I have been using my M1 MacBook Air with the LG 27 inch Ultrafine 5K Display, and the display's camera has been fine, with no significant problems. However, I just got the Camo app on my Mac (and iPhone 12 Pro) and I'm now using my iPhone's BACK camera for video confernecing and WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!! Much sharper picture with a lot more detail! Also, I love all of the options associated with the paid version of the Camo software (mode, lens, resolution, presets, light adjustments, image adjustments, etc.). I've used it with Teams, WebEx, Zoom, and FaceTime, and it really is what it claims to be. If you want professional quality video for your video conferences, you need CamoCamera!!!

by Km3000

Update: Reincubate developer reached out and resolved all problems, and proved a new build so the windows application now works great. Revising my rating to 5 stars.

It is impossible to activate the pro mode on a windows 10 laptop that is managed by corporate IT. CamoCamera uses non standard ports to activate and they are blocked by corporate firewalls. In addition, the windows app requires admin level access and violates several group policy settings due to suspicious components. There is no way to reach the developer other than email, and they do not respond. Avoid CamoCamera and ignore the suspiciously fake reviews. Do not pay to upgrade.

by BigBoyKegan

This is the best app for a webcam I have used so far! It is super convenient for class or meetings and works super well with no bugs, low latency, and a super high quality image! It’s also super nice having the ability to control everything on the Mac app as opposed to on the phone for when I have it mounted. I have tried other apps like EpocCam for example it’s it’s filled with bugs and doesn’t work properly. I do not have that issue with Camo and for the price of Pro it’s a good deal considering the support you get with CamoCamera and when comparing it to a hardware webcam that doesn’t even match the quality of the iPhones camera and is $200+!

by So It's Come To This:

Camo has completely changed the WFH experience for me, my colleagues, and my clients. I stream with better resolution, color, light balance (especially in low-light), and field of view using my iPhone. Meetings appear more professional, and the $10 flex arm I use to adjust the phone's angle allows me to use the optical zoom or wide-angle lens with a unique effect. To spend a large sum of money upfront for a better webcam or an elaborate setup for my DSLR never made sense. Though I'd rather pay once for the Pro, the monthly subscription is manageable given the pace at which the iPhone's cameras improve.

by Tre Tuna

Camo is THE best way to get high quality video without spending $500 on a professional camera setup.

I've been using Camo for about six months now and it's been awesome. I've tried all the free and cheaper apps out there, but they all miss the flexibility and adjustability that Camo has.

One of the biggest things that competitors miss is having the camera settings in the Mac app, not on the iOS device. Being able to actually set up my camera, frame myself where I'm going to be, and adjust the settings on my computer, vs having to adjust on my phone, is HUGE! And each update keeps bringing better functionality.

by TheFarmCow

I wanted a better virtual meeting cam than what my standard Logitech webcam could offer. I really wanted DSLR quality video but didn't want to pay for a DSLR rig that would essentially be stuck at my computer for meetings. A last-ditch search for options turned up a review of Camo, and now I can use my old iPhone 6S that was just sitting around as my full-time webcam. Armed with a small stand-mounted ring light (that I was already using with my webcam), the difference in video quality is stunning. I also love that you can tweak camera settings or have it set on auto. Camo saved me a ton of money by not having to buy a new DSLR setup and it works perfectly with Teams, Zoom, Google Meet and more.

by TaraConklin

Several YouTubers recommended using an old iPhone as a webcam in lieu of spending a ton of money on a dedicated webcam that can be less than par quality. In addition to this several used CAMO to provide better quality for video meetings and they weren't kidding. Especially if you have an iPhone with portrait mode, CAMO ups the ante. I showed it to several collegues, being we are a 100% remote company and now they are all getting it. When they are on meetings, others in the company are asking how they improved their cam quality and so it goes. I had an old iPhone 11 laying around and now have a much better webcam than any I could have found online. Thanks CAMO!

by Monk With Family

My iphone 12 pro max is now my internet camera - it is also my recording camera for other things and Camo has made it all possible!
There is no perceptible delay on my computer screen so using the Awesome camera's on the back of my phone is zero problem. The clarity and function is way beyond a Logitec Brio.
This has ended my search for a great streaming experience, a great camera.
This experience is every bit as good as advertized!
The only thing left will be figuring out the best holders for the phone and positioning - but it is easy to be motivated to buy those when you see how vast the improvement is. And the solutions are often super cheap and simple.

by Nate

You know how every now and then you’ll see a Zoom square that looks much better than everyone else’s camera? That’s what you can get with Camo.

I’ve tried a few others, but Camo stands out for high quality and high configurability. My favorite adjustment is white balance temperature -- it makes your room’s color tone look “cooler” or “warmer”, a big improvement over the default camera settings. Combined with higher resolution (compared to everyone else’s webcams), it makes my presentations look professional. I also appreciate the ability to crop the camera image, especially when I’m working from a messy office or a distracting public area. Just tons of useful and well-thought-out features.

by PNugg

Truly impressed with how this works with your older (iPhone X) or new mobile phones. I was actually about to sell my iPnone X when I cam accross CamoCamera. The biggest selling point was your mobile phone has pretty much all the color and lighting correcting features anyway, so you don't really have to mess around with anything, like you have to using a Logitech 920 or BRIO. Just plug in your iPhone and turn on the Mac and iPhone app and it just works. Cool thing is you have the option to custom correct all your Lighting Adjustments (Exposure, White Balance, Flash and Levels) and Image Adjustments (Brightness, Hue, Saturation, Contrast, Gamma and Sharpness). Not that it needs it, but it does it all. Again, AMAZING APP! Hope this will last for years to come! Thank you!

by Honestreview24

There are a ton of apps that allow you to use your phone as a webcam: Epoc, Iriun, etc. and I've tried several. My issues with those were that the video was choppy, they were slow to connect, the lighting was bad, they didn't connect with Zoom, the desktop client was ugly or hard to wrangle and other frustrating things that ultimately left me to go back to my Macbook's built in camera. Then, I found CamoCamera. It actually works well, finally! The video is crisp, it connect via USB so the connection is instant and stable, the settings are straightforward and well-designed, it works flawlessly with Zoom and everything else I care about. Exactly what I was looking for

by ArifImam

In addition to the many apps available for turning your smartphone into a webcam and using it with OBS, Zoom, or any other software, I was interested in finding an app that has no delay and creates a sort of depth of field effect to my videos. That's why I bought a 13 Pro Max iPhone recently. I tried my old iPhone XR with CamoCamera and got surprised when I saw the "Basic Portrait and Portrait Mods; I wish I had known about this before I purchased my new phone. I am not using other image adjustments in CamoCamera , as I am using CamoCamera in conjunction with OBS Studio and doing all my color grading and correction within OBS. CamoCamera is a must-have tool for those looking for that kind of usage, and it does not break the bank. I recommend it.

by Tgjazz

This is the software Apple failed to include with their os. It makes it possible to use your fantastic iPhone and iPad cameras as a high quality HD webcam, with all the bells and whistles.
Not 4k ready yet!
The pro software version also includes the ability to save presets that include exposure, brightness, saturation, rotation, and many more.
It also works as a virtual webcam that can be inserted into Zoom and other live video and audio apps.
Considering that you can buy a live-time license for 80 Dollars, I will not ever buy a webcam again. I rather use my old iPhones. Finally it payed of keeping them around. The software works perfectly with my 6 years old iPhone 5SE. That's amazing!

by Bizzy_T

** updated review **. I still had problems getting CamoCamera to work with my laptop configuration. However, the company was great about issuing a refund and being proactive about trying to help me.

Was getting a major responsiveness lag between what was being recorded and what was displaying on screen. I also had some initial licensing issues. Overseas support hours made it almost impossible to be able to troubleshoot any of the problems and get it fixed in the US. Ended being a total waste of money for me

by Stzanev

I tried several webcam apps for iOS and I liked Camo the best. Great picture quality, wasy to install and configure, powerful controls (although I tested the free version only).
Also, it does not spike the CPU, which was one of my main concerns.
Given the high quality of the free version, I may try the paid version - no watermark, more image controls.
(NOTE: I tested Camo on iPhone 6s. Practically, I got a webcam for FREE that beats all cheap and mid-price range webcams. Nothing beats the iPhone camera quality. :) )

by D:309

If you value your iPhone/iPad camera lenses and truly want to make the most of it, think of CamoCamera as an interlocking bridge between the iPhone and Mac, a bridge that finally gives you the capability of using the newest iPhones camera on (in some cases) a 5 year old MacBook. CamoCamera doesn’t just upgrade the quality of your front facing camera, it upgrades the quality of your Mac.

by Wardlawc

I've been using this for streaming from my Mac and iPad Pro to Streamyard (at 1080) on a twice-weekly basis for almost a year. I also use it for Teams (for work and parent/teacher conferences), as well as with Zoom. It's worth every penny I paid for it.

The granualrity of video controls, the robustness of the Mac app, shows these developers are doing great work.

The only downside I've experienced is the iOS app consistently crashes once or twice during a 90 minute session. it's not as bad as it sounds because all that's required is tapping to relaunch CamoCamera . Nothing's lost or disconnected.

So, outside of this minor bug (which may have been squashed in yesterday's release of version 1.3) I highly recommend it if you're trying to decide whether to go premium.

by Gavral Li

It makes such a difference in the image quality especially when the lighting is sub-optimal. It is a little hard to get the iphone centered so that when you're zooming you're making proper eye-contact with the other person. It would be nice if Camo recommended a dock or mount or tripod that would allow for placing the iPhone in a center spot behind the laptop lid so you can naturally maintain eye-contact.

by Dan Weix

This works as advertised - iPhone cameras are excellent and make wonderful, high-resolution web-cams. They have steadily increased the number of apps that work natively (recently = WebEx!) and are adding other features. My only complaint is that, using my primary phone as the camera, notifcations do not go to my watch and opening my airpods case can freeze the video (unfreezes when you close case). That is it! Otherwise, this is amazing.

by Comicyogi

Researching web cams I found my iPhone has a better camera than any web cam in my price range. Camo is the very best of all the apps I’ve tested for teaching online yoga classes. Full camera control (except pointing the lens) from Camo Studio on my MacOS laptop. I can easily zoom in when I transition from standing to seated poses. Controlling the cam and zoom from my laptop is a key benefit for me. I’ve been teaching with Camo Studio for a few weeks, strongly recommended for online teaching.

I tested the three best rated cam apps for iOS. Camo is the most reliable. Camo Studio is the most full featured. Together they are simply the best.

by 5vetz

Camo does exactly what it promisses: It lets you use your iPhone as a webcam.

What else can I say? The UI is simple enough that it doesn't get in your way, but also has lots of options for tweaking the image if you want to get into that. It works with all browser-based apps, and with all desktop apps that I personally use.

The difference in quality, sharpness, light, and colors is everything Camo claims. The phone (even my 3 year old iPhone X) is just *so* much better than a webcam.

by Michaelbrunker.net

Been working all week trying to get camera quality 4K video into Zoom. Dealing with a DSLR was bulky and the battery life wasn’t long. In both situations Zoom would not read the camera or Camo, both worked like a champ with Ecamm. The clarity from the iPhone to Zoom via Camo/Ecamm was crystal clear. The photo settings and ability to zoom in and out are as good as it gets and the phone charges will connect to the USB.

TIP: Be sure to set your phone to airplane mode to avoid disruptions due to incoming calls.

by Hsugene

I recently got an M1 MacBook Pro. Let’s just say the quality of the built-in camera leaves much to be desired. As I was looking around for ways to improve my picture quality, I read that many webcams had compatibility issues. That’s when I came across Camo.

At first, I was taken aback by the price. There’s at least one cheaper option out there which I tried, but Camo is well worth the extra money. The software on both ends (iPhone and Mac) is highly polished and includes a bunch of useful settings to optimize picture quality.

by Xylemphloem

CamoCamera has a good set of features, auto and custom. It integrates well with what I use (Zoom, Teams, Google Meet). Also, I like that I can use my iPhone (back facing) camera wich is much better than my other apple devices. It was cheaper than buying a webcam for my work and home Mac Mini's. Also, I use this for our church services on Zoom. The nice thing for that is ability to zoom, which I do at times during the service.

Lastly, it has been rock solid. I have not had any issues. The company regularly releases updates.

by TLaffin

This works easier and better than I thought, and the support team is amazing! I have the pro version and I HIGHLY recommend it. The subscription model gave me pause at first but it would take years for you to catch up to the cost of a quality webcam that would eventually become obsolete anyway. This way you grow with your mobile devices. 100% recommend.