INTRODUCTION

    One of the most exciting things about PC's back in the 90's was the ability to see and speak to people across the globe by using a web camera. Yes, dial-up connections weren't exactly fast back then so most top-end web cameras had a maximum resolution of 576p (some as low as 240p) which at times also was too much for the available internet bandwidth. Fast forward 25+ years later and web cameras have advanced to a point that end users can broadcast 4k (3840x2160p) content with ease something which became especially popular since 2020 when COVID first hit, and people were forced to work remotely. OBSBOT has since created several award winning and best-selling web camera models and today with me I have their latest one, the Tiny 2 Lite.

    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.

    Just as its name suggests the Tiny 2 Lite is basically a cut-down version of the Tiny 2 and even though they are both capable of 4K HDR recording (3840x2160p) and feature similar dual omni-directional microphones with noise reduction and automatic gain and a 2-axis gimbal (±150 degrees pan / ±90 degrees tilt) complete with auto tracking and auto zoom they have many differences. For one the CMOS sensor of the Tiny 2 Lite is not quite as capable (48MP, 1/2", f/1.8 aperture, 79.4" FOV, 4x digital zoom for the Tiny 2 Lite - 50MP, 1/1.5", f/1.9 aperture, 85.5° FOV and 4x digital zoom for the Tiny 2) and only supports recording at 3840x2160p for MJPEG and 640x480p for YUV (MJPEG at 4000x3000p, YUV at 3840x2160p and H264 at 3840x2160p for the Tiny 2). On the other hand, the AI features of the Tiny 2 Lite include auto tracking (motion, close up, standard, upper body, lower body, hand, headless and custom zones) with PDAF (phase detection) auto focus, beauty mode, bokeh mode with auto sleep and gesture controls (it does lack voice commands however) so at least for the most part both models are similar in this regard. So, let's see what the Tiny 2 Lite can do and how it compares not only to the Tiny 2 but also the Tail Air.