When it comes to home-studio video, 4K at 60fps has long been the domain of pricey camcorders and mirrorless cameras. That’s changing today with Elgato’s Facecam 4K: a $199.99 USB-C webcam that delivers silky-smooth 4K60 capture and, for the first time ever on a webcam, a standard threaded lens filter mount. At $100 less than its Facecam Pro predecessor, it undercuts many standalone cameras while giving creators a taste of DSLR-style flair—without ever touching OBS or post-production software.

The headline feature here is support for any 49mm threaded filter. Whether you’re fighting glare off glasses with a circular polarizer, achieving that dreamy diffusion glow, or dabbling in macro close-ups, you simply screw the filter onto the front of the lens and go live. Elgato even includes a free CPL filter (or a privacy cap, if you’d rather keep things incognito) with direct orders, and an ecosystem of third-party macro, black-mist, and star filters awaits if you really want to trip out your stream.

Under the hood is Sony’s Starvis 2 CMOS sensor (1/1.8″ type), paired with Elgato’s custom prime lens. It’s fixed-focus with an f/4.0 aperture and a generous 90° field of view (roughly 21mm equivalent). This configuration guarantees sharp detail, vibrant color, and clean contrast—though in low-light situations you’ll still see the benefit of the Facecam Pro’s faster f/2.0 glass. Like its predecessor, the Facecam 4K captures uncompressed 4K60 MJPG over USB 3.0 or up to 4K30 with HDR enabled, making it versatile for both daylight streaming and moody lighting setups.

Pairing perfectly with the new hardware is Elgato’s Camera Hub 2.1 software. Beyond basic white-balance presets, the app exposes DSLR-style manual controls for ISO, shutter speed, and exposure, plus pan/tilt/zoom (PTZ) cropping. It even supports LUTs so you can apply a signature look on the fly. Best of all, your favorite settings live onboard the Facecam 4K’s flash memory—no need to relaunch the software if you switch PCs or head to a different streaming setup.

Broadcasters who cue from script will appreciate the Facecam 4K’s compatibility with Elgato’s Prompter hardware. A dedicated backplate (included with new Prompter purchases, or sold separately) lets the webcam sit neatly behind the glass, transforming any desk into a pro teleprompter. And, in a nod to emerging console streaming, a firmware update (v2.32+) makes the Facecam 4K playable on the Nintendo Switch 2—perfect for Let’s Plays with zero fuss.

At $199.99, the Facecam 4K undercuts many entry-level mirrorless setups while still delivering genuine 4K60 quality and the novelty of hardware filters. By comparison, popular webcams today—like the Obsbot Meet 2 or Logitech C920—either max out at 1080p60 or lack this level of manual control and accessory support. For creators who crave both simplicity and creative flexibility, it’s a compelling value proposition.

With the Facecam 4K, Elgato has effectively lowered the barrier to entry for “pro-grade” video, blending accessible pricing with features once reserved for high-end photo gear. Whether you’re a streamer chasing cinematic flair, a teacher wanting glare-free presentations, or a podcaster craving sharper visuals, threaded filters open a new creative avenue—right at the webcam level. The Facecam 4K is available today from Elgato’s online store and authorized retailers, priced at $199.99 in the US, £179.99 in the UK, and €199.99 across Europe.