The Studio Display webcam is mediocre, it's proven: why?

Announced in March, the Studio Display is currently the cheapest external monitor Apple offers. This device has the advantage of integrating a front camera at its top, which is not the case on the more expensive Pro Display XDR. Its characteristics are as follows: resolution of twelve megapixels,ultra grand-anglewith 122-degree field of view and ƒ/2.4 aperture.

Unfortunately, although these are normally sufficient specifications for video calls, a lot of users complain about the quality of the images captured with this hardware. Feedback thus speaks ofnoisetoo present, sometimes blurry shots or even whose appearance is simply “faded“. A shame for Apple,regularly awarded by critics for the camera of its iPhones.

Explanations

But rest assured, there is an explanation for all this. Indeed, the Studio Display also comes with a native solution calledCentered frame. This takes advantage of the space offered by the ultra-wide angle to follow the movements of the subject, so that the interlocutor does not lose sight of him. To be clearer, if you tilt your head to the side to look at a bird through the window, then the lens will understand that and adjust the frame so that your face doesn't pop out of the screen. Practical.

A system which, logically, causes a loss of resolution since the program “zoom” naturally to obtain the final result (never the entire panorama in reality visible is requested). This is therefore a software issue, which we hoped would be resolved with the recent update of Studio Display to iOS 15.5. But ultimately, this is not the case since it is not a bug but clearly a deliberate choice of the developer, who is not going to decide to remove its functionality that is so often highlighted.

Comparing the 15.5 (1st pic) and 15.4 (2nd pic) firmware for the Studio Display camera. There's a _lot_ less noise, and a touch more contrast, but it's still quite washed out compared to the iMac Pro camera (3rd pic, taken last month).pic.twitter.com/xvaYNgnB4q

— James Thomson (@jamesthomson)April 26, 2022

Alternatives

In reality, Cupertino could well offer an option fordisableCentered frame when the user does not need it. Which, we will not hide it, should concern a majority of Internet users who have always done without it without problem. Moreover, this tool is a simple algorithm but is not reflected in the interface: it is even possible that many customers do not even notice its presence on a daily basis.

Unfortunately, there's no indication yet that Apple wants to improve the Studio Display's camera accordingly. However, you can always turn to third-party accessories likeLogitech cameras, or opt foran M8 Smart Monitor from Samsungin order to remedy this at a lower cost.