I can hardly believe just how amazing this $100 gimbal-tracking webcam is — Why recommend anything else?

In today’s world, many individuals find it advantageous to own a high-quality webcam; however, it’s not necessary to splurge excessively on one.

Among the various webcams I’ve assessed, the OBSBOT Tiny 2 4K remains my top pick, boasting exceptional quality. However, it’s essential to note that this high-quality device comes with a price tag of $300, which might exceed many budgets.

Currently, there’s the OBSBOT Tiny SE, which is a more affordable, scaled-down version of my favorite model. It compromises slightly on resolution, features, and finesse to cost just one third of its larger counterpart, and it truly impresses.

At a cost of just $100, you can acquire an AI-enhanced webcam boasting 2-axis gimbal tracking, which is undoubtedly the one I’d suggest at this price range, barring exceptional circumstances where 4K recording is absolutely essential.

It’s important to note certain drawbacks, but the Tiny SE stands out as an excellent choice among webcams, particularly for video calls and live streaming.

OBSBOT Tiny SE review: Cheat sheet

What is it? A 1080p webcam with 2-axis gimbal tracking and AI-powered software features.
Who is it for? Those who want an excellent, intelligent webcam for video conferencing and streaming on a budget.
How much does it cost? The OBSBOT Tiny SE webcam only costs $99 at Amazon. You can also get the OBSBOT TIny SE for $99 at OBSBOT, where you may find even more optional accessories and bundles.
What did I like? The excellent image quality in various lighting conditions, smart gimbal tracking, and compact design.
What did I not like? The less reliable software and gimbal tracking versus the more expensive OBSBOT Tiny webcams.

OBSBOT Tiny SE review: Specifications

In the package, you will discover the OBSBOT Tiny SE webcam, along with a USB Type-C to USB Type-C cable, and an adapter for converting USB Type-C to USB Type-A. The built-in mount of this webcam is included, but it also features a 1/4-inch thread for tripods and other mounting accessories. Unlike the OBSBOT Tiny 2, there’s no travel case provided with the package.

OBSBOT Tiny SE review: What I like

The OBSBOT Tiny SE lives up to its title, boasting a sleek and compact design similar to its pricier relatives. Although it lacks some finer features found in the premium Tiny webcams, the Tiny SE maintains high-quality construction.

The mount has been detached from its magnetic connection and is now built directly into the webcam itself. This change may result in reduced adjustability but contributes to a lower overall cost.

The two-axis gimbal equates to a streamlined mechanical pan-and-tilt system, offering approximately 140 degrees of movement in both directions (panning), and between 70 to 90 degrees of adjustment for tilting up or down.

The Compact Camera System can autonomously activate at required times and adjust its angle to ensure you stay within the picture, while an easy-to-see LED light shows whether the camera is currently active or not.

1. Gimbal tracking tends to be both smooth and precise, though it may deviate slightly at times and can quickly be corrected with manual readjustments. Additionally, the Tiny SE is compatible with OBSBOT’s remote control for greater control over the camera.

2. The gimbal tracking on this device is mostly seamless and accurate, but it might occasionally stray a bit and requires minimal manual corrections. To add more control to your camera, you can also use the OBSBOT remote control with the Tiny SE.

3. The gimbal tracking of the device works well most of the time, offering smooth and precise movement, but it may occasionally drift off course slightly. With a simple manual adjustment, it can be brought back on track. As an added feature, the Tiny SE is compatible with OBSBOT’s remote control for enhanced camera control.

4. The gimbal tracking of this device is generally smooth and accurate, but may occasionally lose its way slightly before being corrected with a manual adjustment. For more control over your camera, consider using the OBSBOT remote control in conjunction with the Tiny SE.

The device’s connectivity is managed through a user-friendly, removable USB Type-C 2.0 cable. This cable is compatible with both Windows computers and macOS systems. For an enhanced experience, you can opt for the additional OBSBOT Center software, which offers numerous options and features.

This design is functional, featuring the compact Small-Scale Electronic (Tiny SE) that activates autonomously as required and adjusts to maintain you within its field of view, with a bright LED for easy identification whether it’s on or not. When deactivated, it swivels to point directly downwards, addressing any privacy worries.

Undoubtedly, the main attraction in this setup is the camera sensor. Although it’s slightly smaller than the 1/1.5-inch sensor found in the OBSBOT Tiny 2, the 1/2.8-inch CMOS sensor in the Tiny SE holds its own quite well.

This webcam boasts outstanding image and sound quality at its price point, featuring superior sharpness, detail, and vibrant color representation. It comes equipped with auto-focus, exposure, and white balance adjustments, as well as fine-tuning options for contrast, saturation, sharpness, and hue in post-processing.

The fundamental settings are upgraded by optional visual enhancements like beauty filters, effects, and integration with NVIDIA Broadcast for advanced background softening.)

All these attributes are compatible with most software applications. In addition, the Tiny SE is equipped to function with OBSBOT’s virtual camera feature, as well as integrate with Elgato Stream Deck and Open Sound Control (OSC) systems.

This is a very balanced, value-driven AI webcam.

In less favorable lighting conditions, a cheaper webcam with a compact sensor might be anticipated to underperform, showing excessive noise and losing detail. However, surprisingly, the Tiny SE performs exceptionally well in these situations, offering no extra noise and preserving details accurately.

Remarkably, even the compact Tiny SE offers dual native ISO and progressive High Dynamic Range (HDR) support. These are advanced features that aren’t typically found in affordable webcams, boosting both performance and image quality.

In terms of unwavering image quality at 1080p, I discovered the OBSBOT Tiny SE outperformed the Insta360 Link 2 in my assessment; it’s an economical webcam priced significantly lower than its costlier counterpart.

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Instead of featuring the dual, all-encompassing microphones found in its larger counterparts, this webcam comes with a single microphone for audio capture. While it may not deliver the same clarity and depth, it remains functional for its intended purpose.

The automatic noise cancellation and adjustable gain settings perform effectively, providing you with numerous fundamental choices to tailor your microphone usage. It surpasses the typical webcam in terms of performance, especially considering its price range, making it even more noteworthy.

Overall, it’s challenging to find fault with the cost-cutting measures taken by OBSBOT to reduce the price of the Tiny 2’s platform to a third. The image quality remains impressive with the lower-tier sensor, and the OBSBOT Tiny SE offers recording capabilities up to 1080p at 100 frames per second (FPS) or 720p at 120 FPS, which is a significant improvement over the Tiny 2’s maximum of 60 FPS.

Crucially, you’re also saving yourself $200. This is a very balanced, value-driven AI webcam.

OBSBOT Tiny SE review: What I don’t like

As I was already making comparisons, let me outline the features you miss out on when switching from the high-end OBSBOT Tiny 2 to the basic OBSBOT Tiny SE.

This device features a compact sensor with reduced resolution and a tighter field of view. Additionally, it lacks some high-end aspects such as a premium design, an integrated microphone, faster USB 3.0 data transfer speeds, voice control functionality, and the ability to support desk or whiteboard presentations.

It makes perfect sense that those adjustments have been made given the camera’s quality. I wouldn’t dream of complaining about the absence of Windows Hello facial recognition in the OBSBOT camera, as I realize it’s not standard for products within this price range.

Absolutely, this camera offers 1080p resolution, while many common webcams provide 4K. While some users may appreciate the additional detail and zooming capabilities of a bigger, higher-resolution sensor, the Mini SE provides more than enough features for most users’ needs and even exceeds them.

Despite being a useful tool, this webcam has its own shortcoming – it can be quite challenging to consistently interact with its software. Software communication isn’t always seamless, and firmware updates often don’t install properly. Moreover, the software navigation can feel sluggish at times.

On the Tiny SE model, the gimbal tracking performance is slower, less responsive, and sometimes veers off course at random. However, using the OBSBOT Tiny SE generally wasn’t cumbersome; it merely had occasional minor inconveniences.

OBSBOT Tiny SE review: My final thoughts

✅You should buy this if …

You want a webcam with smart tracking capabilities.
You don’t want to spend more than $100 on a webcam.
You need a webcam you can use with any software or app.

❌You should not buy this if …

You absolutely need a 4K webcam.
You’d never use any of the extra AI features.

Initially, I had doubts about whether the OBSBOT could manufacture a $100 gimbal-tracking webcam that would be worthy of my endorsement. However, the OBSBOT Tiny SE has left me astonished by delivering a quality comparable to the pricier $300 Tiny 2 model, which I didn’t anticipate at all.

Without a doubt, the Tiny SE delivers impressive image quality even at 1080p resolution, boasting versatility across multiple lighting scenarios. It further enhances this experience through a wealth of customization options and additional features.

In addition to this, you’ll find advanced, AI-driven 2-axis gimbal tracking, usually only seen in webcams costing $200 or more. To get a product of such high quality at under $100 is an exceptional bargain.

The OBSBOT Tiny SE appears to be more cost-effective than the Tiny 2 when compared side by side, despite the fact that the latter is technically superior. For most individuals, the OBSBOT Tiny SE represents an outstanding value, priced at just $99 on Amazon.

Additionally, you’ll find the OBSBOT Tiny 2 Lite retailing for $179 on Amazon, marketed as a mid-tier 4K webcam. However, I haven’t had hands-on experience with this specific model. Nonetheless, I can endorse the OBSBOT Tiny 2, available for $299 on Amazon, for those seeking top-notch performance and are ready to make a higher investment.

2025-04-20 16:10