PC equipment like webcams don’t precisely progress on the similar breakneck tempo as, say, CPUs or smartphones. In truth, Logitech’s top-of-the-line Brio 4K design has seen only some gentle changes because it was first introduced more than seven years ago. Today, the corporate is updating that design and bringing it into the “MX” line alongside such well-regarded staples because the MX Master mouse and MX Keys keyboard.

The MX Brio webcam boasts a brand new 8.5 megapixel 4K sensor, a bodily privateness shutter, and the power to rapidly flip down to point out off your desktop. On that final level, it was technically potential with the most recent Brio design (I can do it proper now since I personal one), but it surely was removed from straightforward.

Logitech’s promotional video for the MX Brio reveals the consumer flipping the digital camera down 90 levels, at which level the streamed picture rotates by 180 levels to point out off the desktop from the attitude of the individual going through the digital camera. It’s a neat and intuitive little trick, to make certain, particularly helpful if you wish to showcase your fancy mechanical keyboard. Just as a very random instance, in fact.

The spec listing claims extra superior lighting correction to light up each you and your workplace, with “2X finer image detail and face visibility vs [the previous] Brio 4K,” although the 4K/30fps sensor isn’t any extra succesful as a matter of pure numbers. Users have entry to extra superior picture management through software program, and the twin beamforming microphones with noise discount return from the final high-end design.

A brand new trick is the built-in privateness shutter, which is activated with the knurled ring surrounding the glass lens, as a substitute of requiring a separate plastic piece. Windows Hello face recognition is built-in… however in fact you’ll want to depart the shutter open for that. The promotional web page is plagued by mentions of “AI enhancement,” however at this level I actually don’t know what that buzzword even applies to anymore.

Logitech is positioning the $200 MX Brio as the last word webcam for each work-from-home execs and streamers. And whereas I can definitely see it being a success with the previous, I believe the latter will probably be a harder promote. A high-end webcam is okay to begin streaming, however those that need a extra skilled setup typically go along with a separate DSLR or mirrorless digital camera plugged into their PC, or perhaps a high-end smartphone with some administration software program. Coincidentally, simply final week Microsoft simply made Android phones work as webcams in Windows 11 with out requiring any additional drivers.

The MX Brio is shipping now from Logitech’s online store, and ought to be displaying up at just about each main electronics retailer quickly. It appears to be like like an equivalent design is being offered because the “MX Brio 705 for business,” which is what you would possibly need to name it should you’re asking for one out of your IT supervisor.