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Which Ways Can I Use the Canon EOS R as a Webcam?

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

USB + Canon EOS Webcam Utility

All you need is:

  • The correct USB cable – IFC-100U (you may need an USB-C to USB-A adapter)
  • The correct software – Canon EOS Webcam Utility
  • A compatible webcam application e.g. Zoom, Skype, OBS Studios

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

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 R as a HDMI webcam. 

USB vs HDMI to use the Canon EOS R as a Webcam

The USB + EOS Webcam Utility 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 connections. 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 R 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 set up, 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 + Video

USB + EOS webcam utility

  • Cheap (just need an IFC-100U cable)
  • Not as good quality as HDMI, but still better than a standard webcam
  • Unable to use audio from the camera

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

Related Posts:

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 R.