High Image Quality : 8M Sony sensor, Max resolution 3264x2448p, provides clear picture during virtual meetings. Auto Exposure, clearly visible in backlit environments.
Flexible shooting modes : Portrait, Desk-view, and Hand-held mode. Easily and clearly present documents and objects in online communications.
Auto switch camera mode : Easily switch between portrait and desk-view modes by flipping the camera. The image automatically rotates and focuses on the desktop to present documents clearly.
Noise-canceling microphone : With a noise-canceling microphone, your voice will be heard clearly during online meetings in noisy environments.
15X Macro Lens – Glass material magnifier, clearly see the details of objects.
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5 reviews for BenQ ideaCam S1 PRO,Webcam with Noise Canceling Microphone and Light, Webcam to Document Cameras and Macro View, USB Web Cam Compatible for…
4.2out of 5
★★★★★
★★★★★
3
★★★★★
1
★★★★★
0
★★★★★
1
★★★★★
0
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★★★★★
Josh Tai –
My wife is an art teacher who offers both in-person and online sketching classes. Previously, she relied on an IPEVO document camera that we bought years ago for her online classes and recording YouTube tutorials. Unfortunately, the old IPEVO camera recently stopped working, so we needed to find a replacement. While we initially considered buying another IPEVO camera, we decided to explore other options after comparing the hardware specs, software capabilities, and prices of several similar products. That’s when we came across the ideaCam and decided to give it a try. After using it for 3 weeks, my wife absolutely loves it for the following reasons:
1. It’s incredibly easy to switch between a regular webcam and document camera by simply tilting the angle. 2. The ideaCam can be detached from the mount, allowing it to function as a handheld camera that can shoot from any angle. 3. The magnifier feature enables it to capture more intricate details. 4. The built-in light is especially useful for close-up shots when using the magnifier. 5. The remote controller is much more intuitive and faster compared to software UIs, making it a breeze to zoom in and out using the rotating knob. 6. The online software is fantastic, as there is no need to download an app and it can easily be attached to any machine. 7. While we expected horizontal and vertical mirror capabilities, the keystone correction feature exceeded our expectations, almost feeling like magic! 8. The drawing tools make hand sketching a breeze, especially when attaching the camera to a Wacom sketch screen. 9. The PiP (Picture in Picture) and Split screens capability of the ideaCam allows for hosting multiple webcams, making online classes even more engaging and interactive, as we have tried showing both the laptop webcam and the ideaCam together.
If you’re in search of a multifunctional camera, we highly recommend giving the ideaCam a try. My wife is absolutely thrilled with it!
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★★★★★
EZRider –
Bought a BenQ monitor – always of the highest quality, I have another one and always been very impressed. Because this time I was replacing an Apple Cinema Display I no longer had built in iSight so needed a webcam. Even though it’s pricey I felt assured that a BenQ camera would be just the ticket. How wrong I was!
I can’t fault the build – looks really smart. A neat light added on the camera too. Packaging lovely (as if that matters but worth mentioning as it’s packed very professionally). The whole thing from the outside screams of a premium purchase.
But there’s 3 main flaws.
1) Auto-focus – Really woeful and the main gripe. Even when well lit the camera is constantly hunting focus and gives a breathing effect every time you move. I could almost, almost put up with the other complaints, but this above all makes it unusable for me.
2) Quality – This was really surprising. You can get a decent image when well lit, but let’s be honest unless you are a streamer or podcaster etc most of the time you won’t be setting up lighting for Zoom chats or Facetime. The image has a flickering effect which is terrible and on my 4K screen the image looked really poor.
3) I spent the extra money on the Pro version which comes with a bluetooth controller. It LOOKS amazing. Tremendous build quality. It has options for adjusting focus, taking photos, freezeframing, zoom, etc etc. BUT, you can only use these (and the rest of the features) if you download a program called EnSpire. So you are left with the poor image and focus problems on a normal zoom/Facetime call.
Additionally the camera is really for PC’s not Mac. It seems Mac compatibility is a bit of an afterthought. They don’t advise using the desktop version and instead say to access it through a web browser. And even then there are limitations for Mac users.
Some other problems I found – there’s no way to adjust the image to be mirrored like you normally see on most webcams. This will be fine for others, I guess I’m just used to seeing my reflection moving the same way I am, even if things are back to front. I also tested recording audio through its microphone on Quicktime and the resulting video was out of sync to the audio. Didn’t do any further tests, but just straight out of the box that didn’t work for me.
Positives – the little zoom attachment gadget is quite nifty, not sure when I’d use it for though. The microphone apparently has noise reduction. The light is a good addition. The build and everything about it prior to hooking the thing up looks very professional.
But all the problems I mentioned make this webcam completely unusable. It certainly is a case of ‘don’t judge a book by its cover” – the cover is The Divine Comedy, the contents are Michael McIntyre’s Guide to Comedy.
Disappointing.
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★★★★★
Sheng Kai Tang –
Manual focus is useful, but this should have been a function of the remote ‘puck’. The remote has a nice adjustment ring which can only be used for digital zoom. At the very least, this ring could have been user mappable to focus, exposure, color balance, etc. The GUI based focus adjustment is awkward to get to in the menus of EnSpire and the ‘spot focus’ button of the remote and the GUI is slow and constrained to a single screen location.
I find myself frequently actuating the ‘capture’ button on the camera without meaning to.
The remote ‘puck’ stops working if another window (besides Enspire) is highlighted. I don’t see the value in disabling a remote which only works with one application.
The macro lens is very useful, but without a storage location (magnetic?) on the camera or its ‘mount’, I expect to lose it soon.
Not being able to horizontally ‘pan’ (yaw axis rotation) the camera is awkward in the monitor mounted mode. Digital ‘panning’ during digital ‘zooming’ (via the puck ring function) is also missing (and useful). Digital panning and zooming could have been supported with wheel mice using existing conventions were not; mouse wheels do nothing in EnSpire. Likewise, right-clicking, shift-clicking, ctl-clicking have no effect in the Enspire window. The drawing function in Enspire has not text entry so quick labels for highlighted features isn’t practical, an issue for live interactive use.
These issues are almost all software addressable, if BENQ would care to address them. The hardware is better than other webcams I have used, although the focus range is limited (nothing from 2 to 10 cm) compared to manual mechanical focus cameras.
I’m attaching a depth-of-field demo taken from about 1 inch off the end of a printed circuit board with focus set in the middle of the board.
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★★★★★
Sun Young Kim –
The BenQ ideaCam S1 Pro has exceeded my expectations in both professional and creative contexts. When seeking a replacement for my office camera, it caught my attention and has proven to be a remarkable choice.
The camera quality surpasses my previous camera, providing brighter and clearer visuals on the screen. The autofocus feature distinguishes the product, eliminating image lag and maintaining optimal quality even with movement. This feature is particularly beneficial for presenting hand sketches during virtual meetings, allowing easy maneuvering without compromising image clarity.
The product has proven to be invaluable not only for video conferencing but also for my creative pursuits. I frequently use it to demonstrate sketches and share my ideas on paper during virtual meetings. The autofocus and auto orientation functionality ensures that my drawings remain clear and detailed, effectively communicating my creative concepts. This additional utility makes the product a versatile tool catering to professional and creative needs.
Whether for professional video calls, creative presentations, or documenting physical objects, the ideaCam S1 Pro stands out. It has enhanced my virtual interactions, providing superior image quality and functionality. Despite its price, the investment is worthwhile for those seeking a high-performance webcam with extra features. I recommend it for anyone looking to elevate their online calls and content creation.
Helpful(0)Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
★★★★★
Josh Tai –
I have been looking for a better webcam to replace my laptop’s camera. When I saw the ideaCam by BenQ, it caught my attention and I know this is what I am expecting for. Connect through USB port so it is very easy to activate it. At my workstation home, I plug into my surface Dock 2 and it automatically detects it; no software installed needed. Compared to my built in cam, the camera quality is much improved. I look much brighter and clearer on the screen, and I won’t worry I look dark when having a Teams meeting with my colleagues. The autofocus function is how ideaCam distinguishes itself from other competitors. You won’t feel or see any image lag when you move yourself and quality stays the best.
If you need to present your hand sketches while in a virtual meeting, this webcam allows you to maneuver easily to show the sketch on your desk. The autofocus function plays an important role here. You won’t need to worry the image is fuzzy when you move the webcam around. There is another function allowing you to focus closer. My guess is for the jewelry designer, who sometimes need to show the details normal eyes couldn’t see. They also provide you EnSpire for more advanced functions such as flip your image vertically or horizontally. You can even rotate your image without rotating the camera, which is amazing to me.
If you rely on much interaction on the virtual meeting, this webcam is definitely designed for you. If you need a better quality of webcam to replace the lousy built-in webcam, this is also for you.
Josh Tai –
My wife is an art teacher who offers both in-person and online sketching classes. Previously, she relied on an IPEVO document camera that we bought years ago for her online classes and recording YouTube tutorials. Unfortunately, the old IPEVO camera recently stopped working, so we needed to find a replacement. While we initially considered buying another IPEVO camera, we decided to explore other options after comparing the hardware specs, software capabilities, and prices of several similar products. That’s when we came across the ideaCam and decided to give it a try. After using it for 3 weeks, my wife absolutely loves it for the following reasons:
1. It’s incredibly easy to switch between a regular webcam and document camera by simply tilting the angle.
2. The ideaCam can be detached from the mount, allowing it to function as a handheld camera that can shoot from any angle.
3. The magnifier feature enables it to capture more intricate details.
4. The built-in light is especially useful for close-up shots when using the magnifier.
5. The remote controller is much more intuitive and faster compared to software UIs, making it a breeze to zoom in and out using the rotating knob.
6. The online software is fantastic, as there is no need to download an app and it can easily be attached to any machine.
7. While we expected horizontal and vertical mirror capabilities, the keystone correction feature exceeded our expectations, almost feeling like magic!
8. The drawing tools make hand sketching a breeze, especially when attaching the camera to a Wacom sketch screen.
9. The PiP (Picture in Picture) and Split screens capability of the ideaCam allows for hosting multiple webcams, making online classes even more engaging and interactive, as we have tried showing both the laptop webcam and the ideaCam together.
If you’re in search of a multifunctional camera, we highly recommend giving the ideaCam a try. My wife is absolutely thrilled with it!
EZRider –
Bought a BenQ monitor – always of the highest quality, I have another one and always been very impressed. Because this time I was replacing an Apple Cinema Display I no longer had built in iSight so needed a webcam. Even though it’s pricey I felt assured that a BenQ camera would be just the ticket. How wrong I was!
I can’t fault the build – looks really smart. A neat light added on the camera too. Packaging lovely (as if that matters but worth mentioning as it’s packed very professionally). The whole thing from the outside screams of a premium purchase.
But there’s 3 main flaws.
1) Auto-focus – Really woeful and the main gripe. Even when well lit the camera is constantly hunting focus and gives a breathing effect every time you move. I could almost, almost put up with the other complaints, but this above all makes it unusable for me.
2) Quality – This was really surprising. You can get a decent image when well lit, but let’s be honest unless you are a streamer or podcaster etc most of the time you won’t be setting up lighting for Zoom chats or Facetime. The image has a flickering effect which is terrible and on my 4K screen the image looked really poor.
3) I spent the extra money on the Pro version which comes with a bluetooth controller. It LOOKS amazing. Tremendous build quality. It has options for adjusting focus, taking photos, freezeframing, zoom, etc etc. BUT, you can only use these (and the rest of the features) if you download a program called EnSpire. So you are left with the poor image and focus problems on a normal zoom/Facetime call.
Additionally the camera is really for PC’s not Mac. It seems Mac compatibility is a bit of an afterthought. They don’t advise using the desktop version and instead say to access it through a web browser. And even then there are limitations for Mac users.
Some other problems I found – there’s no way to adjust the image to be mirrored like you normally see on most webcams. This will be fine for others, I guess I’m just used to seeing my reflection moving the same way I am, even if things are back to front. I also tested recording audio through its microphone on Quicktime and the resulting video was out of sync to the audio. Didn’t do any further tests, but just straight out of the box that didn’t work for me.
Positives – the little zoom attachment gadget is quite nifty, not sure when I’d use it for though. The microphone apparently has noise reduction. The light is a good addition. The build and everything about it prior to hooking the thing up looks very professional.
But all the problems I mentioned make this webcam completely unusable. It certainly is a case of ‘don’t judge a book by its cover” – the cover is The Divine Comedy, the contents are Michael McIntyre’s Guide to Comedy.
Disappointing.
Sheng Kai Tang –
Manual focus is useful, but this should have been a function of the remote ‘puck’. The remote has a nice adjustment ring which can only be used for digital zoom. At the very least, this ring could have been user mappable to focus, exposure, color balance, etc. The GUI based focus adjustment is awkward to get to in the menus of EnSpire and the ‘spot focus’ button of the remote and the GUI is slow and constrained to a single screen location.
I find myself frequently actuating the ‘capture’ button on the camera without meaning to.
The remote ‘puck’ stops working if another window (besides Enspire) is highlighted. I don’t see the value in disabling a remote which only works with one application.
The macro lens is very useful, but without a storage location (magnetic?) on the camera or its ‘mount’, I expect to lose it soon.
Not being able to horizontally ‘pan’ (yaw axis rotation) the camera is awkward in the monitor mounted mode. Digital ‘panning’ during digital ‘zooming’ (via the puck ring function) is also missing (and useful).
Digital panning and zooming could have been supported with wheel mice using existing conventions were not; mouse wheels do nothing in EnSpire. Likewise, right-clicking, shift-clicking, ctl-clicking have no effect in the Enspire window. The drawing function in Enspire has not text entry so quick labels for highlighted features isn’t practical, an issue for live interactive use.
These issues are almost all software addressable, if BENQ would care to address them.
The hardware is better than other webcams I have used, although the focus range is limited (nothing from 2 to 10 cm) compared to manual mechanical focus cameras.
I’m attaching a depth-of-field demo taken from about 1 inch off the end of a printed circuit board with focus set in the middle of the board.
Sun Young Kim –
The BenQ ideaCam S1 Pro has exceeded my expectations in both professional and creative contexts. When seeking a replacement for my office camera, it caught my attention and has proven to be a remarkable choice.
The camera quality surpasses my previous camera, providing brighter and clearer visuals on the screen. The autofocus feature distinguishes the product, eliminating image lag and maintaining optimal quality even with movement. This feature is particularly beneficial for presenting hand sketches during virtual meetings, allowing easy maneuvering without compromising image clarity.
The product has proven to be invaluable not only for video conferencing but also for my creative pursuits. I frequently use it to demonstrate sketches and share my ideas on paper during virtual meetings. The autofocus and auto orientation functionality ensures that my drawings remain clear and detailed, effectively communicating my creative concepts. This additional utility makes the product a versatile tool catering to professional and creative needs.
Whether for professional video calls, creative presentations, or documenting physical objects, the ideaCam S1 Pro stands out. It has enhanced my virtual interactions, providing superior image quality and functionality. Despite its price, the investment is worthwhile for those seeking a high-performance webcam with extra features. I recommend it for anyone looking to elevate their online calls and content creation.
Josh Tai –
I have been looking for a better webcam to replace my laptop’s camera. When I saw the ideaCam by BenQ, it caught my attention and I know this is what I am expecting for. Connect through USB port so it is very easy to activate it. At my workstation home, I plug into my surface Dock 2 and it automatically detects it; no software installed needed. Compared to my built in cam, the camera quality is much improved. I look much brighter and clearer on the screen, and I won’t worry I look dark when having a Teams meeting with my colleagues. The autofocus function is how ideaCam distinguishes itself from other competitors. You won’t feel or see any image lag when you move yourself and quality stays the best.
If you need to present your hand sketches while in a virtual meeting, this webcam allows you to maneuver easily to show the sketch on your desk. The autofocus function plays an important role here. You won’t need to worry the image is fuzzy when you move the webcam around. There is another function allowing you to focus closer. My guess is for the jewelry designer, who sometimes need to show the details normal eyes couldn’t see. They also provide you EnSpire for more advanced functions such as flip your image vertically or horizontally. You can even rotate your image without rotating the camera, which is amazing to me.
If you rely on much interaction on the virtual meeting, this webcam is definitely designed for you. If you need a better quality of webcam to replace the lousy built-in webcam, this is also for you.