INTRODUCTION

   Even though i never did enjoy being in front of the camera (regardless of type - this is also why i never even thought of venturing on YouTube and TikTok) i can't begin to count the number of times I’ve used Skype and Viber calls with friends, family members and yes, even industry contacts. This is why over the years I've used a decent number of web cameras including two 4K ones by Logitech and Sandberg. Still web cameras are almost never ideal, not just in terms of image and audio quality but also features and even though from time to time manufacturers like Logitech have added extra features (for example their BCC950 model was quite unique when i reviewed it well over a decade ago) things haven't really improved that much. OBSBOT is a somewhat new player in the market but thanks to the success of their products (more recently their Crowdfunded Tiny Tail model) they've become quite popular among consumers and professionals alike and today with me i have their Tiny 2 model.

   Founded in 2016, OBSBOT is an innovative imaging technology and hardware brand dedicated to using new technologies such as AI to inject new vitality into the videography market. With the artificial intelligence as the core, OBSBOT focuses on the application research of new technologies in the field of videography. It hopes to use revolutionary technology and innovative products to innovate the way of public records and image creation, and to change people's social way.

   The Tiny 2 is an AI-Powered 4K Webcam which OBSBOT has equipped with a dual native ISO 1/1.5" CMOS sensor (50M Pixels, f/1.9 aperture, 85.5° FOV and 4x zoom), built-in dual omni-directional mics with noise reduction and automatic gain control and a metal body with ah 2-axis Gimbal (±150 degrees pan / ±90 degrees tilt) complete with auto tracking and auto zoom. The tiny 4K is capable of recording H264 PixGain HDR video at up to 3840x2160@30 (up to 3840x2160@15 YUV and 4000x3000@30 MJPEG) and thanks to its AI feature it comes with numerous tracking zones (motion, close up, standard, upper body, lower body, headless and custom), modes (desk, whiteboard, hand and group), gesture and voice control and even a beauty mode which includes skin retouching, body parts reshaping and several filters all of which can be used in the OBSBOT Webcam virtual area and at 1080p mode. Yes, just by checking the features and specifications of the Tiny 2 it's clear that this is not your average Webcam.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

OBSBOT uses a very small white and red bot the front of which is taken by a product picture and their logo.

At the rear OBSBOT lists the bundle contents, company contact information and numerous certifications.

Once you open the box, you'll see several warning icons and 2D barcodes for the OBSBOT Webcam app.

Along with the Tiny 2 inside the box you'll find a carrying/storage case, metal base/mount, USB-C cable, USB-C to USB-A adapter, warranty card and the user manual.

THE TINY 2

As its name suggests the Tiny 2 is a compact Webcam which weighs just 95.6g and measures 62.02mm in height, 47mm in length and 44mm in width.

Just in case you're wondering about just how compact the Tiny 2 is i placed right next to an SD memory card.

One thing that some people may not like is the height of the Tiny 2 and even though 62.02mm is not much it's still a good amount over traditional web cameras (so if your space is limited yes, this could be an issue).

The dual native ISO 1/1.5" CMOS sensor may not be the best in the market but it does produce some very good numbers.

As expected, the dual omni-directional mics with noise reduction and automatic gain control are located at the lower front of the Tiny 2 (right under the activity LED).

The 2-axis Gimbal allows the Tiny 2 to follow you pretty everywhere (maximum of 300 degrees on the X axis and 180 degrees on the Y axis).

The USB-C port is located at the rear of the Tiny 2.

At the base of the Tiny 2 we fine a rubber ring, magnet and 5 power contacts (i don't really know what these are good for).

The metal mount attaches onto the magnetic base of the Tiny 2.

OBSBOT has bundled a hard storage case with the Tiny 2 which as you can see is more than spacious enough for the entire bundle.

If you'd like to be able to use the Tiny 2 remotely OBSBOT has an remote control available (as extra).

The remote has pretty much any key you'd like on it (can't say i like the grey color however).

In order to use the remote, you need to attach the USB receiver located in the battery compartment with your computer and enable it from the OBSBOT Webcam software.

WEBCAM SOFTWARE

To fully utilize the features of the Tiny 2 you will need to download the Webcam software by OBSBOT.

AI tracking, AI mode and manual PTZ use are the main features located in the initial software tab (Console).

You can change recording quality from the lower left corner of the live feed window.

Under the image tab you can enable/disable HDR and adjust the focus, exposure, anti-flicker, white balance and image settings.

Beauty mode basically allows you to retouch your looks (only in virtual mode however).

Settings like device sleep, gestures, zoom, voice control, microphone noise reduction and automatic gain, image flip and reverse view and gimbal are all inside the more tab (firmware upgrades as well).

Clicking on the wheel located on the right top you can gain access to the software settings.

SCORE

I haven't really tested and/or used that many web cameras over the years but the ones that i have are still in the lab so it wasn't hard for me to test all of them with numerous viber and skype calls and make a chart based on my opinion (again, just like with all charts based on my opinion and/or findings you should take this with a grain of salt).

CONCLUSION

   When I first took the Tiny 2 out of its box what really surprised me was the 2-axis gimbal which makes it very easy for the lens to follow you around, regardless of where you are in a room (AI tracking). Of course, even though image/video quality is very good right out of the box you will still need to play around with the various settings in the webcam software in order to get the best possible results (also do keep in mind that for optimal results the Tiny 2 needs to be plugged into a USB 3/3.1/3.2 Gen 1 port). Audio quality may not be excellent but still it’s very good and what really surprised me was the how sensitive the dual microphones were (obviously to pick up sound from everywhere inside a room). The beauty tab/mode is also a nice touch and even though you can only use it in the virtual area it’s still something you are able to use while streaming (although I can’t say I’m a filters fan myself, quite the contrary). One thing I really liked was the gestures and voice control and although they don’t work all the time, they do tend to help quite a bit if you’re far from the Tiny 2 (and you don’t have the remote). Overall, there’s nothing wrong I can say about the Tiny 2 but if I had to find something that would be the lack of microSD card recording. Yes, the Tiny 2 is a webcam but if you’re about to drop a significant amount of money for a product why not get one which can also be used as a surveillance camera for your office/home (I know I’d like that a lot)? I did mention this to OBSBOT and honestly, I don’t think it would be extremely hard to implement in upcoming models so I do hope eventually we see such solutions available.

   The Tiny 2 AI 4K Webcam by OBSBOT currently retails for USD368 inside the USA (Amazon.com – remote bundle) and for 384.50Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de) a price tag which as I’ve already mentioned is quite hefty for a webcam. That being said this is not a product aimed at regular everyday consumers but rather industry professionals who place way too much weight on image and audio quality and features like AI tracking. For them models like the Tiny 2 are a one way and since it does deliver on everything OBSBOT says it clearly deserves the Golden Award.

PROS

- Build Quality (Metal Enclosure)
- Compact Size
- Image/Video Quality (4K @ 30fps / PixGain HDR)
- Audio Quality (Dual Noise Cancelling Microphones)
- 2 Axis Gimbal (AI Tracking)
- Voice & Gestures Control
- Bundle (Remote Available)
- Beauty Mode (Streaming)

CONS

- Price (For Some)
- Height