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Using The Canon EOS R7 As A Webcam – Solved

You can use the Canon EOS R7 as a webcam using one of two methods. (one is better than the other).

💡 There’s two ways to use your EOS R7 as webcam for streaming: 

  1. You can use a capture card like the Elgato Cam Link 4K. (I use this method) 🏅
    • Connect your EOS R7 to the capture card using a Micro HDMI cable,
    • Use a clean HDMI output on your EOS R7 and disable ‘auto power off’
    • Use the feed from your Elgato Cam Link 4K on your streaming software of choice on your computer. 

OR

  1. You can use the Canon EOS R7 as a webcam using the Canon EOS Webcam Utility Pro and an IFC-100U USB cable:

I prefer to use the capture card method since you get better resolution and it pays off over time. (I explain this more in the post)

Using HDMI Capture Card and a Clean HDMI Output.

Here’s a table of the things you’ll need to make this method work.

EssentialOptional
Canon EOS R7USB Gen 3 to USB-C adapter or USB-C Hub
Elgato Cam Link 4KDummy Battery Kit (for constant power)
Micro HDMI to HDMI cableElgato Key Light Air (best lighting for streaming)
Equipment needed to use Canon EOS R7 as webcam using a Capture card and a clean HDMI output

How to Use Canon EOS R7 as a Webcam Using a Capture Card

Here’s a guide on how to use your Canon EOS R7 as a webcam using a capture card and a clean HDMI output.

  1. Get an Elgato Cam Link 4K (capture card).

    Don’t bother with the cheap stuff, they’re unreliable and when I’ve tested them I get problems with choppiness and c.
  1. Get a Micro HDMI cable to HDMI cable (not included with camera).
  1. Use the small end of the Micro HDMI cable and plug it into your Canon EOS R7’s Micro HDMI port.

    You can find this Micro HDMI port on the left-hand side of the camera under a flap. 
  1. Plug the other side of the HDMI cable into your Elgato Cam Link 4K. Connect your Canon EOS R7 to the Elgato Cam Link 4K using the Micro HDMI cable.
  1. Put your Canon EOS R7 into movie mode.
  1. Enable a clean HDMI output on your Canon EOS R7.
    • Go to page 7 of the shooting menu (this is the red menu with a camera icon)
    • You should see a menu item for HDMI Display. Select this.
    • Now you’ll see two options. Select the one that has both a camera and computer screen icon.
  1. Plug the Elgato Cam Link 4K into your computer into a USB 3.0 port.

    If you don’t have one and only have USB-C / Thunderbolt ports then read the next section about compatibility for some solutions.
  1. Your setup should look a little like this
    1. Computer -> Elgato Cam Link 4K -> Micro HDMI to HDMI cable -> Canon EOS R7
  1. Select the Elgato Cam Link 4K as your video feed in your webcam application.

And there you have it, your Elgato Cam Link has turned your Canon EOS R7 into a webcam for streaming.

Compatibility 

The Elgato Cam Link 4K works with Windows and macOS as follows:

  • Windows 10 (64-bit) or later
  • macOS Big Sur 11 or later

You’ll also need to make sure you have a USB 3.x (also known as USB Gen 3) port on your computer or laptop. This can be USB 3.0, 3.1, 3.2. 

You can tell it’s 3.x because it has blue internal plastic in the port but a standard USB port just has standard black/grey/white plastic 

If you only have USB-C or Thunderbolt ports on your computer like on some newer Macbooks or laptops then you can still use it but by using a specific adapter. 

In this case, you need a USB 3.X to USB-C adapter. I use the 7-in-1 Anker hub linked below, but you can just get a standalone single adaptor.

Basically you’d plug the Elgato Cam Link 4K into the USB 3.X port on the adapter then plug the adapter into your computer.

Max Resolutions

Here are the frame rates and resolutions you can get on the Cam Link 4K.

  • 4K (3840×2160) up to 30 fps
  • 1080p (1920X1080) up to 60fps
  • 720p (1280 x 720) up to 60 fps
  • 576p (720x 576) up to 50 fps

I would say that these resolutions and frame rates are more than enough for using the Canon EOS R7 for live streams and video calls.

I would personally use 1080p at 30fps or 60 fps for streaming or video calls because it’s easier for most computers, but 4K can be overkill for streaming.

Screen Turns Off During HDMI Output On The Canon EOS R7

Due to power saving options on the Canon EOS R7 your HDMI output might go blank after a few minutes.

But there’s a way around this by adjusting the power-saving options on your EOS R7.

Here are some of the power-saving settings on the Canon EOS R7 and what they do:

  • Screen dimmer – When the screen dims
  • Screen off – When the screen turns off
  • Auto power off – When the camera turns off after being left idle
  • Viewfinder off – When the viewfinder turns off after being left idle

To stop the auto power-off function on your Canon EOS R7 do the following:

  1. In your camera menu go to the Set-up menu (yellow wrench menu)
  1. Go to page 3 of your set-up menu.
  1. Select the Power Saving option.
  1. Select the ‘Auto power off’ setting and set it to ‘Disable’.
  1. You can also disable the other power-saving options so that the camera screen doesn’t turn off abruptly while you are using an HDMI output for streaming or video calls.

Just make sure you have a well-charged battery when you’re doing this or use a dummy battery kit for constant power supply.

Using USB Cable and Canon EOS Webcam Utility Pro

The alternative method of using a capture card is to use the Webcam Utility made by Canon.

Here’s a table of the things you’ll need to make this method work.

EssentialOptional
Canon EOS R7Elgato Key Light Air (best lighting for streaming)
Canon EOS Webcam Utility ProDummy Battery Kit (for constant power supply)
IFC-100U USB Cable
Things needed to use Canon EOS R7 as USB webcam using Canon EOS Webcam Utility Pro

With this method you use connect your R7 with an IFC-100U cable to your computer.

You also need to make sure you have the Canon EOS Webcam Utility Pro installed.

Then your Canon EOS R7 should be ready to use as a webcam or live streaming device using the Canon EOS Webcam Utility Pro.

When the Canon EOS R7 was first released in June 2022 it wasn’t compatible with the EOS Webcam Utility Pro, but now in 2023 it is compatible. 

The free version gives you some limited features and paid version currently costs $4.99 paid monthly or $49.99 paid yearly.

Compatibility

Before you download the EOS Webcam Utility Pro make sure you know whether it’s compatible with your device or not. 

At the time of writing (July 2023) the EOS Webcam Utility PRO is compatible with the following OS:

  • Windows 10 and Windows 11
  • macOS 13, 12, 11, (including Intel and Apple silicon Macs)

The IFC-100U USB cable is basically a USB-C to USB-C cable.

If you don’t have any USB-C ports on your computer then you may want to either get an adapter or an alternative cable which is USB-C to USB A 3.0.

Max Resolution

If you use the free version of the Utility you have a maximum resolution of digitally upscaled 720p.

If you use the paid version of the Webcam Utility Pro you can get a max resolution of digitally upscaled 1080p.

Max Frame rate

The max frame rate on the free version is about 30fps and the max frame rate on the paid version is 60fps

How to setup and use Webcam Utility Pro on Canon EOS R7

Installing Canon EOS Webcam Utility Pro for Canon EOS R7:

  1. Go to the Canon EOS Webcam Utility Pro Page.
  1. Scroll down to the section where it shows the list of compatible cameras.
  1. Click on the EOS R7 and you should be taken to the product support page for the Canon EOS R7.
  1. Click on the ‘Software and Drivers’ tab.
  1. You should now be automatically scrolled down to the ‘Downloads’ section.
  1. Here choose your Mac or Windows operating system.
    • E.g. I’m currently using macOS 12 so this is what I would select. 
  1. Now you should see the available downloads for the Canon EOS R7 and your operating system. 
  1. Find either EOS Webcam Utility Pro 2.0.30 (macOS) or EOS Webcam Utility Pro 2.0.30 (Windows) and download it by following the instructions provided. The version available may be newer by the time you read this.
  1. Once you’ve completed the installation, restart your computer.

Making sure your Canon EOS R7 works with the webcam utility. 

  1. Your EOS R7 should be set to movie mode and not to any of the photographic stills modes. 
  1. Use the USB-C port on the side of your Canon EOS R7 to connect it to the IFC-100U cable.
  1. Plug in the other side of the IFC-100U cable to your computer through a USB-C port so that your Canon EOS R7 can be connected to the computer. 
  1. Now open up your video conferencing software of choice:
    • This could be anything like Zoom, Skype OBS Studio, etc. (I’ve got a more detailed list further below)
  1. Locate the Webcam Utility as a video feed in your chosen webcam app and choose it for your video output.
  1. Now your Canon EOS R7 has become a USB webcam.

Troubleshooting

If you’re having issues getting the webcam utility to work then try the following troubleshooting steps:

  • Turn off WiFi and other wireless settings on your Canon EOS R7
  • Turn off any other Canon utilities on your computer.
  • Make sure EOS Webcam Utility isn’t being used by another video app.
    • E.g. maybe you used it in Zoom recently and are now trying to use it in Skype.
  • Make sure your camera privacy settings on your Windows or Mac device allow access for your apps. Sometimes camera usage is restricted by default and you need to give access to your chosen webcam apps. 

Compatible Applications with EOS Webcam Utility Pro

At the time of writing in July 2023, the following applications are compatible with the Canon EOS Webcam Utility Pro.

  • Cisco Webex
  • Discord
  • Facebook Live
  • Google Meet
  • Messenger (Facebook)
  • Microsoft Teams 
  • Open Broadcaster Software (OBS)
  • Skype
  • Slack
  • Streamlabs
  • YouTube Live
  • Zoom

You should be able to use any of these applications for your video calls or live streams using the Canon EOS R7. 

Comparing the Two Methods

Quality – Elgato Wins 🏅

On the free version of the Canon Webcam Utility you max out at digitally upscaled 720p.

And even if you pay for the pro version you only get up to 1080p digitally upscaled.

But on the Elgato Cam Link 4k you get 4K resolution up to 30fps, and 1080p up to 60fps. But it’s proper 1080p, not digitally upscaled like with the Webcam Utility. 

In terms of quality, there’s no doubt that the Elgato method wins.

Audio – Elgato Wins 🏅

Audio wise the Elgato Cam Link is also a better choice because you can choose any input whether it’s the camera’s own internal mic, or the laptop, or any other mic attached to your computer. 

With the EOS webcam utility you won’t be able to use any audio from the camera, whether that’s the internal mic or an external mic attached to the camera.

Price – Webcam Utility (Wins…Kinda)

Ok, so the webcam utility is slightly cheaper because you use a USB cable and nothing else (unless you pay for the pro version of the utility).

If you just get the free version then of course the EOS Webcam Utility wins in price.

But if you do pay for the pro version then within 2 years you’re paying $100-$120 (depending if you pay monthly or yearly).

After 2 years the Elgato ends up being cheaper anyways but the Elgato is much better quality. 

So if you definitely want 1080p or higher resolution, I’d probably opt for the Elgato Cam Link 4K anyways.

After all, if you are going to be using this for 2 or more years then the EOS Webcam Utility keeps getting more costly for you. 

If you ended up changing to a different camera brand there’s a good chance you’ll still be able to make use of your Elgato Cam Link.

How to Decide Between the Two Methods

Just want a quick easy way to use your Canon EOS R7 for 720p video calls and live streams without breaking the bank?

Then use the EOS Webcam Utility plus USB cable method. 

If you definitely want 1080p resolution or more and want the best possible quality, then use the Elgato Cam Link 4K method.

FAQ

Does the Canon EOS R7 Work with Elgato Cam Link 4K?

Yes, even though it doesn’t show up on the Elgato website as compatible, this is because they don’t always update the compatibility checker with the newest models.

I’ve tested the Canon EOS R7 briefly and it has no problem working with the Elgato Cam Link 4K.

Further Resources and related reading:

If you don’t fancy getting yourself a capture card or using Canon’s utility, you can use the Canon EOS R50 as a webcam with just a USB cable and no additional software.

And it can do up to 1080p resolution too.