Opal Tadpole webcam overview

Key Takeaways

The Opal Tadpole webcam shoots in 4K for crystal-clear video calls.
The compact dimension makes it straightforward to combine with laptops.
The digicam encompasses a built-in microphone with a mute button for comfort.

We have all woken up, checked out ourselves within the mirror, and thought, “Yeah, I haven’t got to do a lot this morning. I am trying okay.” However there are additionally loads of instances that you simply look aghast on the sight of your self within the morning and knew a bathe, doing all of your hair and “placing your face on” was a should for the day. Any time you are leaping on a Zoom or Microsoft Groups name or right into a Slack huddle for work, you presumably wish to look your greatest. However you will get away with trying semi-okay in case your webcam is not robust.

Nicely, I am right here to let you know that that is not the case if you use the Opal Tadpole webcam. This little webcam is small in stature however sharp as ever, taking pictures in 4K readability. Whenever you see your self within the Opal Tadpole’s lens, you instantly notice it’s essential to up your outfit and magnificence to your video name. It even made me shave as a result of my scruff didn’t come via properly on digicam.

I have been testing out the Opal Tadpole webcam for some time and have been so impressed with how straightforward it’s to combine right into a laptop, how compact it’s to pack up, and the way sharp the image is. This webcam is constructed for laptops, and it shines for video calls with some clever options. Right here is extra concerning the Opal Tadpole webcam.

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Opal Tadpole

Opal’s second webcam is designed particularly for laptop computer customers and brings improved video and audio to its lineup in a transportable type issue.

Model: Opal
Decision: 1080p
Connection: USB-C 2.0
Aperture: 1.8
Frames per second: 30
Mounting: Clip
Compatibility: Mac, Home windows, iPad
Dimension (WxDxH): 45x20x35mm
Weight: 35g

Professionals

Shoots video in 4K
Compact dimension
Mute button

Value, specs, & availability

The Opal Tadpole is the most recent model of the webcam from Opal. Beforehand, Opal launched the C1 and the Tadpole is the second model of that webcam. It retails for $129 and may be bought from Opal’s web site in addition to from Amazon. When the Tadpole was launched final November, it retailed for $175.

The design of this webcam is one among its promoting factors. It’s small and compact, because the construct is made for clipping onto laptops. It won’t clip to a monitor, so it won’t work when you use a desktop laptop. This measures solely 35mm x 45mm x 20mm, and it solely weighs 35 grams. The again clip will match most laptops as much as 16-inches in dimension, because the opening adjusts to 7mm in width.

I used to be capable of get a Yoyo case as properly (retails individually for $19) to retailer the Opal Tadpole. It’s a magnetic case with a slot to string the twine via that protects your case if you throw it in your bag.

Opal Tadpole

Model: Opal
Decision: 1080p
Connection: USB-C 2.0
Aperture: 1.8
Frames per second: 30
Mounting: Clip
Compatibility: Mac, Home windows, iPad
Dimension (WxDxH): 45x20x35mm
Weight: 35g

What I Like Concerning the Opal Tadpole

Clear and sharp

Pocket-lint

It is barely as large as a saltine cracker and as sq. as one too.

Taking the Opal Tadpole out of the field, the very first thing that stands proud is how small it’s. Lengthy gone are the times of cumbersome webcams that sit on prime of your monitor with big cords. It is barely as large as a saltine cracker and as sq. as one too. It comes with a braided and sturdy twine with a USB-C plug hooked up to it. I slid it into my MacBook Professional and the lights instantly lit up on the digicam.

I took some footage with my MacBook’s digicam after which clipped the Opal Tadpole over the FaceTime digicam on my laptop computer. It was really easy to open the clip and add it to the laptop computer. I opened Photograph Sales space and switched the digicam setting to the Opal Tadpole, and it rapidly modified the photograph. It was spectacular to see the distinction in photograph readability.

The Opal Tadpole adjusted for the overhead mild so a lot better and centered a lot faster. Opal made the Tadpole appropriate with each macOS and Home windows, permitting it to be utilized by extra individuals than the C1, which was solely obtainable for Mac customers. The Tadpole shoots in 1080p with 4K readability for video calls, due to the Sony IMX582 sensor inside. This proved to be good for nearly any webcam want I had.

What I additionally preferred is the way you’re capable of modify the settings for the digicam to suit your wants extra simply. Downloading Opal Composer, an app made particularly for macOS, will mean you can fine-tune the webcam’s decision, zoom, bokeh, focus, coloring, and extra. You do not simply need to depend on one setting to greatest serve your webcam.

I took FaceTime calls with the Tadpole in addition to Zoom calls with it and seen the distinction at completely different instances of day with completely different mild settings when the webcam adjusted to make the image clear. Essentially the most I wanted to do was choose it because the digicam in no matter app I used to be utilizing, and it will activate. Whereas I used to be on video calls, the USB-C connector grew to become important, because it serves as a muting perform for the microphone.

The noise-cancelling microphone is constructed into the entrance of the Tadpole and blocks out sound round you to permit individuals on the opposite finish the power to listen to you simply. But when I needed to be on mute with out having to place myself on mute on the decision, I merely touched the connector and a purple LED mild activates to suggest that the microphone is muted.

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What I Do not Like Concerning the Opal Tadpole

Not the simplest to retailer

Whereas the Yoyo case is small and compact, it does not match the twine of the Opal Tadpole. It would preserve the connector of the twine, which is magnetic and sticks to the precise digicam. However the longer braided twine should stick out. Talking of the twine, there’s a ball that slides up and down, permitting it to develop into extra compact if you wish to fold the whole factor up. However if you’re utilizing the digicam in your laptop computer, the ball stands proud and provides bulk to the operation.

It’s straightforward to misplace as it’s small, so it’s a must to be diligent when placing it down.

The Tadpole comes with a lens cowl that’s rubber and delicate to guard the lens. However there is no such thing as a method to retailer that if you aren’t utilizing it, until you retain it within the case. It’s straightforward to misplace as it’s small, so it’s a must to be diligent when placing it down.

Associated

How to use your Pixel phone as a webcam on your PC or Mac

Your Pixel telephone is a good different to a devoted webcam and it is simpler than ever to get it related and able to go to your subsequent name.

Ought to You Purchase the Opal Tadpole?

It is a area of interest product

The Opal Tadpole is a webcam that’s meant for use on laptops. Virtually any laptop computer you discover goes to have a webcam constructed into it. The Opal Tadpole is nearly undoubtedly going to shoot extra clearly and provide a greater decision than the webcam included in your laptop computer.

It’s a terrific webcam and makes an actual distinction.

It is as much as you if you wish to improve your webcam for the worth of practically $130. However it’s a terrific webcam and makes an actual distinction. The truth that you’ll be able to modify the settings for the Opal Tadpole is a big promoting level in our eyes. It’s a worthy improve in case you are trying to make one.