Elgato
Florida Fishing Guy
I wanted to connect my Lumix S5IIX to my Mac for 4K streaming and podcast. Just make sure you have a good quality HDMI cable. It works so well I decided to repurpose an old Lumix GH5 4K camera as a back up. And I bought a second one! Both work great with my Ecamm streaming software.
I tried a couple of knock offs that promised to be 4K… Read the descriptions carefully. They were really only 1080 P.
Juan Noyola
Me acabo de llegar hace apenas unos días y la verdad tiene una calidad imponente, mejor de lo Que yo pensaba, estoy muy emocionado por Que yo grabo live streamers para Tik Tok y esta es la única capturadora que realmente cumple mis expectativas
Kindle Customer
Works well so far.
Galactic Pancake
TL;DR: The Cam Link 4K delivers genuinely sharp, clean 4K capture and easily outperforms the cheap doubtful "4K" capture devices floating around online. If you're serious about getting good image quality from a real camera, this is worth spending a bit money on instead of buying a random generic capture card. That said, the latency is much higher than people online make it sound, and stability can depend heavily on your source device, USB setup, and software configuration. Once I got it properly configured with my Sony camera and Elgato's Capture utility (more on that in the details), it worked very well for my main use case.
PROS:
🥳 Real 4K capture output with excellent image quality and clean colors
🥳 Noticeably sharper and better-looking footage than cheap generic capture devices
🥳 Plug-and-play setup works well with OBS, Zoom, Discord, and similar apps
🥳 Good value around the $70-80 price range for serious camera capture
CONS:
😩 Latency is definitely noticeable and not what I'd call "low latency"
😩 Some sources caused stuttering and lagging until I changed settings and installed additional software
😩 Runs surprisingly warm during use
😩 Elgato made it unnecessarily difficult to find the older Capture 4K utility software
DETAILED REVIEW:
IMAGE QUALITY:
The biggest reason to buy the Elgato Cam Link 4K is the image quality. Unlike a lot of cheap capture devices that advertise "4K" but actually just accept a 4K input and output a downgraded 1080p signal (or sometimes even re-upscale that 1080p signal for the output and give you a face 4K full of artefacts), this one really does provide proper 4K capture output. At least when you make sure you select 4K as the working resolution (more on that later). The image stays crisp, detailed, and clean, without obvious degradation or weird scaling artifacts.
Even when downscaling to 1080p, the resulting image still looked noticeably better than on cheaper generic capture devices I've tested before that only go up to FullHD. The footage looked sharper, colors were better, and overall image quality felt much cleaner. If you're using a good camera already, it makes sense to pair it with a capture device that won't bottleneck your image quality.
Of course, whether you can actually work comfortably in 4K depends on your entire setup: your source device, your computer hardware, USB bandwidth, and whether you're streaming, recording, or editing. But at least with this device, you know the capture hardware itself is capable if all else can handle it.
LATENCY AND PERFORMANCE:
This is where my experience became more mixed.
A lot of people online describe this as having "extremely low latency," but honestly, I strongly disagree with that description. The latency is very noticeable. In fact, even some older Full HD cheap capture devices I've used in the past felt more responsive than this, including when this device itself was set to 1080p mode. The visual delay is large enough that trying to monitor yourself live through the captured video feed may feel uncomfortable.
If you're recording separately through an audio interface, it's definitely anything but "extremely low latency…" You'll definitely need to manually sync your audio in OBS or in post. This means that you won't be able to monitor your audio on the output, as the mismatch between what you say and when you hear what you say will quickly throw you off while speaking and you won't be able to speak. That's just how it is. And, really, this is more common, what with the round-trip latency on most audio interfaces, after all, so no real surprise here.
However, what’s more worrying is I also experienced occasional lagging and stuttering with certain video sources. This was more concerning than the latency itself because the stuttering obviously carries into the recorded footage and makes it unusable. Specifcially, the main source where I saw this was hooking my MacBook to the CamLink and recording its image into my other computer. If you're gaming and your setup involves something like this, I assume this might be a dealbreaker. Even lowering the input resolution on the capture software solved it just slightly, so idk if there may be some sources you might encounter that you simply can't record. When connected to my Sony ZV-E10 for talking-head videos (which is why I bought the CamLink) I've noticed no lag.
So, as mentioned, for some sources, lowering the resolution seems to help, and indeed Elgato themselves recommend this in their support material. BUT obviously that defeats part of the reason for buying a 4K capture device in the first place.
Interestingly, as I mentioned already, once I finally installed Elgato's Capture utility and switched to using my Sony camera instead of another computer as the source input, the lagging mostly disappeared. So compatibility and source devices clearly matter a lot here.
SOFTWARE:
From what I mention in the previous point, I believe suing Elgato's Capture utility is not only a plus, but is a must. Which is why it surprised me to find that one of the most frustrating parts of this experience had nothing to do with the hardware itself, but rather with finding and installing this basic software that Elgato themselves says you should find, download and install on the box and elsewhere…
Elgato's guides still mention downloading their older Capture 4K utility software, but the software no longer appears in their downloads section (or, really, anywhere else for that matter!). It honestly feels like they're trying to phase it out in favor of Cam Hub, which is unfortunate because the older software actually turned out to be very useful and gave more control over settings, which Came Hub certainly does not.
This is mainly important because, at first, before I installed the Capture utility, I couldn't even properly control resolution selection. The device would sometimes default to lower resolutions even when the source output was higher. So what’s going on here? If the only solution to getting the full capability of the device you just bought is to install a software the brand no longer is supporting and even seemingly offering… how, then?
Anyway, after wasting a lot of time trying to find the software manually, I contacted support through their chat system. I expected the usual useless AI chatbot experience, but surprisingly it was actually helpful. As soon as I explained that I needed the Capture 4K software but couldn't find it, the AI bot actually immediately gave me a direct download link. (Didn't think I would be saying it: a clear win for AI chatbots!)
Honestly, if you need that software, and I think you definitely do, contact Elgato's support chat directly, don't waste time trying to find it on your own.
BUILD QUALITY:
The device itself feels reasonably solid and doesn't come across as cheap junk. That said, I do wish the housing were metal instead of plastic. It's just all made out of plastic, which is the same as one cheap capture card I had, and worse than another I had that was, internally worse than the Cam Link, but externally had an aluminium housing.
One thing that surprised me was how warm it gets during use. Mine became noticeably hot; not burn-your-fingers hot, but is-this-normal? hot… Which has made me a little nervous about long-term reliability. Again, a metal housing probably would've helped with heat dissipation much more than the plastic one does.
As I mentioned, there are definitely cheaper alternatives with metal housings, which begs the question: why hasn't Elgato gone for a more premium outer look and feel if cheaper options clearly can fit that into their costs? However, because internal performance matters more than exterior materials, I guess it might be that all of Elgato's costs are invested in the internals.
Still, the heat output is something worth mentioning.
USB REQUIREMENTS:
This device clearly needs proper USB bandwidth to function well. I would strongly recommend connecting it directly to a USB 3.0 port, which is also what Elgato recommends. I would avoid USB hubs entirely if possible. Given how sensitive it already seems to be with certain sources and resolutions, adding more USB bottlenecks probably won't help stability.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
I think the Cam Link earns its reputation mostly because the actual image quality is excellent and the 4K capture is legitimate, not fake marketing nonsense. For camera-based workflows especially, it performs very well once properly configured. The biggest downsides are the surprisingly noticeable latency, occasional stability quirks depending on the source, and Elgato's confusing software situation. Still, for the price, I think it's one of the better options available if image quality matters most.
If you're serious about using a real camera for streaming, recording, or content creation, I think this is worth buying over the ultra-cheap alternatives. I mean, you're probably spending good money on a decent camera… and then only to run it through a low-quality capture device? That doesn't make much sense. At around $70-80, this feels fairly priced for what it offers. If it cost $150, or even over $200, as other supposedly higher-end options do, and still had these issues I mention, I would've returned it immediately. But at its current price, the tradeoffs feel more acceptable.
If your main priority is the best possible image quality from a mirrorless or DSLR camera, this is probably still one of the safest options in this price range. If your absolute top priority is ultra-low latency gameplay capture, you may want to research alternatives more carefully.
francisco
Muy bien producto pero llegó con golpes el empaque,pero el resto se vee todo bien gracias
Cale Calfy
The Elgato Cam Link 4K is one of those rare products that actually delivers exactly what it promises — and then some. I’ve tested a lot of capture devices over the years, but none have been as reliable, simple, and consistently high-quality as this one. It’s compact, well-built, and works perfectly with my Sony a6400 and Sigma 16mm f/1.4 combo for live streaming.
Setup was almost effortless. I plugged it into a USB 3.0 port, connected my camera via a 4K-rated Micro HDMI to HDMI cable, and within seconds, it was recognized by OBS and TikTok Live Studio. No drivers, no configuration headaches, no lag — it just worked. That’s something I can’t say about most other capture cards I’ve tried.
The video quality is outstanding — crystal-clear 4K resolution at 30 fps or 1080p at 60 fps depending on your settings. Colors look natural and vibrant, motion is buttery smooth, and there’s virtually zero latency. For content creators and streamers who want their footage to look like a professional camera feed instead of a webcam, this is hands-down one of the best investments you can make.
The build quality is excellent as well. The device is small but solid, with no cheap plastic feel or loose connectors. It runs cool even during long streaming sessions, and the signal remains stable the entire time. I’ve run multiple three-hour sessions back-to-back without a single hiccup or dropped frame.
If you’d like to see this exact setup in real use, check out SassieJoXO on TikTok and Twitch — her streams run through this same Elgato Cam Link 4K paired with the Sony a6400, and the image clarity and color accuracy are proof of just how well this device performs. It’s a professional-quality feed that makes a huge difference on camera.
Elgato absolutely nailed it with this product. It’s the perfect mix of plug-and-play simplicity, reliable performance, and premium image quality. For anyone serious about streaming or video production, the Cam Link 4K is an essential piece of gear.
Highly recommended — rock-solid stability, beautiful 4K output, and a true game-changer for any streaming setup.
Luiz DaCosta
I used the Elgato Cam Link 4K along with the SoundBeast AV2HDMI 2.0 to digitize old VHS tapes, and it worked flawlessly! The setup was simple—connected my VCR to the SoundBeast converter, then ran the HDMI output into the Cam Link, which captured everything smoothly on my PC.
The video quality was excellent, with low latency and no noticeable lag, and the Cam Link handled the conversion effortlessly. It worked perfectly with recording software, making the process easy and efficient.
If you’re looking for a high-quality solution for preserving old memories, this combination is a fantastic choice. Highly recommended!
Michael Stallings
I opened the mailer to find this as is. I don't how I am going to pay full price for a opener packaged. This not acceptable.
Matheus villar
arrived fast and well packed, I really liked the final result
Beep boop roboman
Using this on my switch and my 5600x system with a 3080 and 16gb of ram and it runs perfectly.
All you need to do is install obs,insert the cam link 4k with the hdmi connected into a USB 3.0 port and then add the video capture device to sources. You don't even need to add an audio source like some people said you needed
Blackdiamond
Hola, Excelente producto, pero el soporte tecnico es orrible, he comprado 2 tarjeta Elgato cam link 4k, y con las dos he tenido problema, y esta es la hora que no he podido hablar con un representante de soporte tecnico. Compre el segundo para probar si era mi PC, la del problema, pero no es asi pues tube el mismo resultado, mas sin embargo compre una china mas barata, y funciona excelente. Quisiera si es posible recibir respuesta del soporte tecnico. Gracias
ghostpepper
Product never worked reliably and died in less than 2 yrs. Not worth the shipping cost to RMA. Very happy with the Flint 4KP as a replacement.
Collin Spicer
The Elgato Cam Link is a USB 3.0 capture card that works straight out of the box, no drivers necessary. I hooked it up to my Sony A7II and away we went! Discord and OBS Studios/StreamLabs now pick up my Sony camera as a webcam and the picture is SHARP! Works exactly as expected, without having to jump through the Sony Remote App hoops. I'm a happy customer!
Pros:
+Extremely intuitive set-up: Literally just plug and play! (for DSLR's a miniHDMI to HDMI cable is required, I have one)
+ Discreet design
+ Comes with USB 3.0 extension cable if you need a little extra room for the dongle.
Cons:
So far after my initial testing, I have had absolutely no issues. Will update this review if I experience anything wonky.
This review was not sponsored in any way, shape, or form. I bought this for my video conferencing needs as well as to upgrade my streaming capabilities and this thing DELIVERS.
Jesus Rodriguez
At first it worked it was fine. Great. It reproduced my camera onto my computer as a webcam. Allowed audio to also be picked up, really convenient and good for its size. When it worked, it worked. But the device is really sensitive and finiky.
Only lasted 3 months and began to have minor connection issues. Then yesterday it glitched out completely as you see in the pictures. The camera is still being picked up behind the glitchy mess.
It's not my camera that's causing the issue, it's the device itself as even plugging the CamLink by itself still produces the green lines. I tried to use different program like obs, zoom, windows camera, elgato's own application (which is constantly crashing). Tried only having the device be powered by a single usb, 3.0, 2.0, different hdmi's, different devices, computers, etc.
You'd be better off buying a different brand instead of El Gato. The build quality feels like cheap brittle plastic and feels like you're going to break off the usb if you move your hdmi.
Any help with this would be great too. It's probably a defective product but still, the problems with El Gato devices is so high it's better if you not invest in this device or anything that captures cameras/games etc from el gato.
jackalope
I use my Cam Link 4k this to record my Nintendo Switch. It's marketed for recording cameras, but works fine for consoles if you use an HDMI splitter. If your console has HDCP it may not work. I tried recording TV but wasn't able to, I assume because of HDCP. A big advantage over the other Elgato products is that no special driver is required, it shows up as a webcam.
OBS and OBS Streamlabs are free programs that I use. Just make sure you choose the right audio device to record your HDMI sound stream. Don't be afraid to use a low bitrate, record my whole gaming sessions at 6mbps to save storage space and then I extract shorter clips with AVIDEMUX. This only feeds raw video through USB and your computer does the video compression, so you need a decent CPU. I use a Dell Optiplex 9020M Micro with i5-4590T CPU. For recording 4k you would need a good graphics card but I haven't tried 4k with the Camlink.
I added adhesive heatsinks to mine so it runs cooler, but it was fine even without them
Scott M.
This product is awesome. I have created a new "Zoom" station separate from my work desk. My Panasonic GX85, an Elgato Cam Link, a plug-in "battery" replacement for consistent power to the camera, my twin LED lights, a 10" mini HD monitor, a Jabra speaker, and a teleprompter mirror. I was getting so tired of the unnatural "not look at who I'm talking to" Zoom call, and since that's what I do all day, I set this up. This has been just amazing. If you only have 1-2 meetings a day, then this wouldn't be worth it. However, for me, since I have 4-6hrs of meetings every day and already had *everything* except the Cam Link, it was a no-brainer. Highly recommended under these circumstances.
Dan McDougall
I teach online and use OBS to stream my output to Zoom. To upgrade from a webcam, I decided to try a GoPro Hero 4. The GoPro worked right away, and so I decided to experiment with a first gen Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera (I wasn't able to confirm whether it would work) - perfect on the first attempt. The image here is from the BMPCC (although the window still says GoPro). The product does exactly as stated, in my experience. If you're trying to convert a DSLR or other mirrorless camera for streaming, do some homework ahead of time to see if your camera is compatible (and how to make the necessary adjustments). And, if you buy the Cam Link 4 for one camera, don't forget to test other cameras you might have. The BMPCC was a pleasant surprise.
Jake Y
The cam link is plugged into a usb 3.2 slot. And has such tremendous delay in just the video signal that it is unusable. I have i9990k 2080ti, 32g of 4000mhz ram and all ssd. All overclocked. It is not my pc. Bad hardware delay is no good for streaming.
James Long
The el gato line up is amazing. I have the stream deck, the 4k60pro capture card and now this can link for my Sony a7riii. Once you download the software it’s pretty much plug and play. Select your cam link from the options, use it with OBS with ease. Can not complain one bit.
Danielle Zapata
It's not as great as it should be. After setting everything up it was working fine for a little while. And then it started freezing big time. Now it freezes every single time I try to stream. It will work for a bit then on the viewers end I'll just be a black box, and my end I'm frozen in place. When the program is open, there's no problem, it's very smooth. But as soon as I open another program and it's on top and the cam link app gets sent to the back, it just freezes. Making streamlabs OBS almost impossible to use with the cam link software.
My computer can def handle multiple programs and streaming at the same time. I have an i7-9700k, 32gb ram, msi rtx 2070super, 1tb nvmessd, and I'm wired not on WiFi. I've tested it while not streaming and no games open, only Microsoft edge open and it will still freeze. I checked the usage status, and nothing hit full usage when it freezes.
My camera is compatible (Sony a6300). After doing some research online I see that this is a very very common problem with a lot of different cameras, not just mine. Like this is a very common problem that has yet to be addressed. I did everything I possibly could that "fixes" the freezing problem but I still experience freezing. Honestly it feels like such a huge waste of money. I wanted this to work so bad since I didn't want a regular Logitech webcam. When it works, it works amazing. But when it fails it just overshadows the pros.
Now I'm not really sure what I want to do. This failure has really killed my desire to keep streaming. Hopefully they fix this soon.
If you do plan on buying this, read into the problems first. Simply Google "elgato cam link 4k freezing" and see just how common his problem is. There's videos and Reddit topics going back years, all the way up to a few months ago still talking about how to fix the freezing problem. Elgato if you see this, please fix this. I just threw away $100 in the trash buying this when it rarely works. Your website says my camera is compatible so there shouldn't be any problem. I want my money back, or a product that actually works. Please address this.
8/12/21 Edit: with my Sony A6300, you don't even need this cam link. You can go to Sony's website and download a driver to plug your camera straight into the computer and stream that way, no middle man needed. So this literally was a waste of money, even if it worked. It sits in a drawer somewhere in my closet now. Absolute trash. Save your money.
Rexy
Ain't like there's no other better Cam Link out there lol. Make sure your Pc meets the requirements and it should work like a charm.
Ps. Must plug into a 3.0usb slot
Mario Ochoa
I paid 180 for this thing, it took a while to get where I am and I was confident it was going to work so I left it in the package for a week before I started using it.
Look at the video, this thing keeps disconnecting, I tried everything, different ports, different cables, I have an Hd60s+ and that one works just fine with the same cables and same ports.
Now it seems I can't get a replacement and ELGATO is not replying any of my messages.
Abe
STAY AWAY FROM THIS, FYI I have a Canon M200 which is definitely compatible with the same exact camera setting they show on the official Elgato YouTube channel. I’ve bought 2 of these and yet I’m having the same “no signal” issue. Still having the same exact issue with the new one. I’ve tried unplugging it, I’ve bought a different micro hdmi cable and no fix, reinstalling the drivers, searching up on google and YouTube and still no fix. Also bought an Elgato HD60 pro and still having no signal issue.
It can’t be my hardware at all. I’m running a i9-9900K 2080TI with the Corsair 280X case but still can’t fix it. I’ve tried with my MacBook and with a spare PC I got and got the same exact NO SIGNAL issue. Just save your money and try something else.
It’s sad that Canons beta Webcam software works so much better than this “premium” hardware.
Nic
I should probably start with saying that I stream on Twitch, and I wanted to make use of my Nikon D5200 DSLR camera since it’s been sitting sadly in a corner collecting dust. I do not use this for Zoom/Skype meetings, however I have used it for a single Discord video call. I will also list my PC specs at the end of this review for reference.
The reason I chose the CamLink is because a couple friends I have who stream also use this device, so I figured this would be the best option since they know way more than I do about what the best hardware is specifically for streaming.
It’s genuinely just plug and play. I had no issues with making it work with my Nikon. HOWEVER, I’ve flashed custom firmware onto my Nikon D5200 that bypasses the auto shutoff timer. If you’re not comfortable with modding your camera (assuming there’s modded firmware that can bypass your camera’s auto shutoff feature), I would find a different camera that natively has the option to disable auto shutoff if cost isn’t an issue.
Integration with SLOBS (StreamLabs OBS) is fantastic. I can use the CamLink 4K alongside my Elgato 4k60 PRO with zero issues. I can also switch between PC and console game scenes and the CamLink is not affected and doesn’t lag.
All in all, I have zero complaints about the Elgato CamLink 4k, and I would recommend this product to a friend.
PC SPECS:
MOBO - Asus ROG Strix Z390-F Gaming LGA 1151 (300 Series)
GPU - Asus ROG Strix 1080
CPU - Intel Core i9 9900K
RAM - Corsair 32GB DDR4
J Dan Renfro
This Is a must have for Vlogin to get you output from your cam into you OBS or Steam Yard ect into your LIVE broadcasts. Great quality transfer no or little lag, Works on everything I use it for from a fixed focus to my Canon D90. My only con is the Price being jacked up because everyone needed one.
I give it a four on connectivity. Can be hard to set up. In the end you have to have it and you will love what it does.
Pro Tip
Make sure you hook and connect everything BEFORE you turn the attached device on.
Hope this was helpful
Have a great Day
Charger
I have been wanting one of these capture devices for a while now and was extremely excited when it arrived. Sadly, it simply performed inconsistently. With all cables tested and connections double checked, I would get a different result every time I would open the capture app. First, it would say "no signal". Restart the app, now it says/shows...
...no device detected
...no signal
...flashing the camera image with a loud buzz every few seconds
...split screen, blue tint and artifact
...quad screen
(check out some screenshots in the review photos)
I tried using it without opening the capture app, but other software didn't seem to recognize it as a video input unless the capture app was also running.
Anyway, returned the device and super disappointed.
Victor Antonio
Plug and play; it works beautifully!
eddie perkins
It does everything i need it to do. I put it in photo mode to capture smoothly and purchased an AC battery adapter to stream all day. Loving the ability to stream with my T7I instead of a traditional webcam. And for this price i cant complain. Cant wait to eventually upgrade to a 4k camera to fully utilize this tool. 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
david
Works great just plugged in played OBS studio just recognized it immediately with my SL2 only downside is I have to use manual focus but that's the SL2 problem I'm also not a fan of the price but what you going to do now if this was more like 80 bucks that would definitely make it worth it
Blondelashes19
First time it worked as well. But after month using it. It stopped work in one moment. No signal. No picture in any programs like obs or game capture elgato. Support elgato can do nothing with it. Better and easy for your time and nervous to use a webcamera.
