Disclaimer : Photography Pursuits is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate this site earns from qualifying purchases.

Best Methods to Use Canon EOS 90D as a Webcam – USB VS HDMI

If you are wondering ‘Can I use my Canon EOS 90D as a webcam?’ then this post will help you.

The answer is yes. You can use your Canon EOS 90D as a webcam and there are two methods of doing this.

This post will describe the different ways in which you can use your Canon 90D as a webcam whether you just want higher quality video calls or you want better quality live streams.

By the end of this post you should know what each method is good for and which method is best for you.

You can use your Canon EOS 90D as a webcam using either the ‘USB + Canon EOS Webcam Utility’ method or the ‘HDMI + capture card’ method. 

One method lets you use the 90D as a webcam without a capture card whereas the other method lets you use the 90D as a webcam with a capture card.

Method 1: USB + Canon EOS Webcam Utility

All you need is:

  • The correct USB cable – IFC-600PCU 
  • The correct software – Canon EOS Webcam Utility
  • A compatible webcam application e.g. Zoom, Skype, OBS Studios

As you can see there is no requirement to use a capture card with this method.

You can see more details about this method in our post on how to use the Canon EOS 90D as a USB webcam. 

Method 2: HDMI + Capture Card

All you need is:

You can see more details about this method in our post on how to use the Canon EOS 90D as a HDMI webcam. 

USB vs HDMI to use the Canon EOS 90D as a Webcam

The USB method is a lot cheaper and a simpler set up. 

However, you will have better quality through the HDMI set up. 

With the USB method, you cannot reach full HD resolution due to the transfer speed limits of USB 2.0.

You cannot transfer uncompressed 1080p footage through a USB 2.0 connection. 

Although it is important to note that this will still look better than a lot of 1080p webcams.

If you NEED Full HD footage from your Canon EOS 90D as a webcam, then the USB method will not work for you.

Which Method Is Right For You? 

If you just want better quality video calls with an easy to use setup just go for the USB + EOS Webcam Utility method. 

If you want full HD (or better quality) streams or video calls then go for the HDMI + capture card method. 

Summary & Videos

USB + EOS webcam utility

  • Cheap (just need an IFC-600PCU cable as the software is free)
  • Not as good quality as HDMI, but still better than a standard webcam
  • Unable to use audio from the camera

Click here for the full post on using the Canon 90D as a USB webcam without a capture card.

HDMI + Capture Card

  • Better quality
  • More costly (you need to buy a capture card as well as any extra HDMI cables)
  • Is able to use audio from the camera

Click here for the full post on using the Canon 90D as a HDMI webcam using a capture card.

The video below gives you a brief example of the quality difference between the USB method and the HDMI method.

In the video they are using a Canon M50 Mark II but the same things apply to the Canon EOS 90D.

Related Posts: