Introduction
Before you do any more research on gaming monitors with built in cameras, I highly reccomend you read until the last section of this article.
Gaming monitors with built in cameras are a thing, but there’s several important things you need to know before you buy this. Maybe you want it for Zoom conference calls or to stream on your Twitch account.
Either way, I’ll share with you everything you want to know about gaming monitors and camera use.
So do gaming monitors come with cameras?
As a general rule, gaming monitors don’t come with built-in cameras because it adds unnecessary cost to the monitor without improving its visual display. Monitor cameras are often far below the desired quality (8 megapixels, 720p resolution, 16:9 aspect ratio) which is why most streamers buy $50-100 external cameras. Some monitors like the Acer Nitro VG240Y do come with a built-in camera and mic.
What is the quality of a built-in monitor camera?
Built-in monitors typically have an 8 megapixel, 720-1080p resolution. To put this in perspective, the iphone 13 has 12 megapixels and professional cameras like the Canon EOS Rebel have 24 megapixels.
Megapixels are the easiest way to determine the quality of a computer monitor’s camera. Megapixels are essentially a measurement of graphical quality.
The higher the number the better the camera quality. Take a look below at a comparison chart of a few examples.
| Device | Camera Quality |
| Surface Book | 8 Megapixels |
| Iphone 13 | 12 Megapixels |
| EOS Cannon Rebel Pro Camera | 24 Megapixels |
What are the best monitors with built-in cameras?
It’s really hard to find a gaming monitor with a built in camera, but here are the best ones I found:
| Monitor | Built-in Camera? |
| Acer Nitro VG240Y | Yes |
| Alienware 360hz | Separate |
| Acer CB242Y | Yes |
The Acer Nitro VG240Y is a gaming monitor perfect for streaming as well. While the camera quality is a little lower than the iphone, it provides a cheap, entry level solution for gamers that what to use Twitch.
It has 1ms response time which is above average for a monitor and 1920 x 1080p resolution. Additionally, it’s 75hz refresh rate is a perfect fit for someone who likes smooth, online competitive gaming.
“After spending several hours of recording content and gaming, I found that it’s bette , cheaper, and easier to buy an external streaming camera. Built-in cameras are never as good a quality and I’d rather get more bang for my buck using a real camera”
Nikhil S, 8-Year gaming enthusiast and content creator
Coming in second is the Acer CB242Y. It’s built in camera offers a more narrow field of view but the monitor itself can produce 1ms response time with 1920x1080p resolution. It also can run in freesync which isn’t typical of all gaming monitors.
What is the quality of an external streaming camera?
Streaming cameras come with 720p all the way up to 4k for display quality. Prices of these cameras also range from $40 – $100 with 4k quality being the most expensive.
Do built in monitor cameras have mics?
All monitors with built-in cameras come with mics and speakers capable of producing 8 Watts on average. Some cameras don’t come with sound output which is why buyers must look at the specifications for each monitor they intend to buy.
If you’re interested in also getting a monitor with built in speakers, check out my article here. This is great if you decide to create a setup without using headphones to hear the gamer friends you’re trying to play with.
What are the best cameras for streaming?
Here are some of the top cameras for streaming and for conference calling. These are great for entry level Twitch streamers as well as seasoned professionals.
| Camera | Justification |
| AVerMedia PW513 | Wide field of view for small setups |
| DroidCam | Free for iphone and android owners |
| Sony A6000 | Auto-focus and auto-airbrush feature |
This Avermedia streaming camera has some of the best field of view comparied to all the research I did. It comes with software to change several lighting settings real time as well as a highly adjustable field of view. This is ideal for small setups or rooms with an awkward desk placement.
If you don’t want to buy an external camera, you can use your iphone as a webcam using the app Droidcam. It works for android and iphone. This isn’t ideal for streamers that will game for more than 4 hours. Most reviews said it was hard on their iphone battery life.
The most popular camera used by professional streamers Shroud and other E-Sports is the Sony A6000. For most of us this is too expensive unless you plan to save up and utilize all its great features. It comes with 1080p resolution, 60 fps (frames per second), and even an autofocus feature.
The only downside with this camera is you need a HDMI to USB converter to plug into your streaming computer.
The last one is the Emeet C960 which also has a great field of view and camera quality for it’s price. It is by far the cheapest 1080p camera I was able to find of all the research I did (priced just under $35).
The Video Nerd did a great review of this camera from a video he did. The image on the far right demonstrates how this camera has better resolution and pixel clarity than the other webcams tested.
Additional Resources
If you want to get even more simple insight on gaming gear and setups, you can get my free e-book on the right hand column on this article if you scroll to the top. It’s the best of everything I’ve learned with zero fluff and helpful infographics to save you time and research.
Conclusion
Thanks for reading! If you have any other questions or comments, feel free to reach out to us at entertainmentden.ns@gmail.com and I’ll do my best to respond!
I’m also taking article suggestions so feel free to send those over if you have any. Until then, stay tuned for the next article!