Facecam MK.2 vs Link 2 Comparison

Compare Facecam MK.2 vs Link 2 side by side: specs, ratings, pros and cons, and which one fits your room best.

On this page
Elgato Facecam MK.2
Facecam MK.2
Link 2

At a Glance

Facecam MK.2

The Elgato Facecam MK.2 is a 1080p webcam built for streaming and recording. It has a Sony STARVIS 1/2.5-inch sensor, the Elgato Prime Lens (f/2.4, fixed focus) and an 84° field of view.

View on Elgato (opens in a new tab)
Best For
Streamers
Res.
1080p at 60 fps (uncompressed over USB 3.0)
View
84°
Autofocus
No (fixed focus, 30-120 cm)
Mics
—
Connect
USB-C (USB 3.0 for uncompressed)
Link 2

The Insta360 Link 2 is a 4K webcam on a 2-axis gimbal with a 1/2-inch sensor, f/1.8 lens and HDR in all modes. It has AI tracking, Smart Whiteboard and DeskView modes.

View on Insta360 (opens in a new tab)
Best For
Teachers
Res.
4K
View
79.5°
Autofocus
Yes (10 cm to infinity)
Mics
AI noise-canceling
Connect
USB-C (USB 2.0), USB-C to USB-A adapter

Review Scores Compared

Expert Score

  • Facecam MK.27.7/10
  • Link 27.9/10 Leads

Image Quality

  • Facecam MK.26.3/10
  • Link 210.0/10 Leads

Low-Light Performance

  • Facecam MK.29.0/10 Leads
  • Link 28.0/10

Field of View & Framing

  • Facecam MK.27.0/10 Leads
  • Link 26.3/10

Microphone

  • Facecam MK.2—
  • Link 25.0/10

Build & Privacy

  • Facecam MK.28.0/10 Leads
  • Link 27.5/10

Connection & Software

  • Facecam MK.29.0/10
  • Link 29.0/10

Why Facecam MK.2 Beats Link 2 (and Vice Versa)

Why Facecam MK.2 beats Link 2

  • Better low-light performance: 9.0 vs 8.0 out of 10
  • Better field of view & framing: 7.0 vs 6.3 out of 10
  • Better build & privacy: 8.0 vs 7.5 out of 10
  • Max Frame Rate: 60 (1080p), 120 (720p) vs 30 (4K), 60 (1080p)
  • Sensor: Sony STARVIS 1/2.5" CMOS vs 1/2"
  • Field of View: 84° vs 79.5°

Why Link 2 beats Facecam MK.2

  • Better image quality: 10.0 vs 6.3 out of 10
  • Max Resolution: 4K vs 1080p at 60 fps (uncompressed over USB 3.0)
  • Autofocus: Yes (10 cm to infinity) vs No (fixed focus, 30-120 cm)

Review-score leads of 0.5+ points out of 10 first, then specs where only one comes out ahead.

Full Specifications

General

Facecam MK.2Link 2
Best ForStreamersTeachers

Image

Facecam MK.2Link 2
Max Resolution1080p at 60 fps (uncompressed over USB 3.0)4K Better
Max Frame Rate60 (1080p), 120 (720p) Better30 (4K), 60 (1080p)
SensorSony STARVIS 1/2.5" CMOS Better1/2"
Field of View84° Better79.5°
AutofocusNo (fixed focus, 30-120 cm)Yes (10 cm to infinity) Better
HDR—Yes (all modes)
Digital Zoom—4 x
AI Framing—AI tracking on 2-axis gimbal, Smart Whiteboard, DeskView
Aperturef/2.4f/1.8

Audio

Facecam MK.2Link 2
Microphones—AI noise-canceling
Mic Range—3 m
Noise Reduction—Yes

Design & Privacy

Facecam MK.2Link 2
Mounting—Magnetic mount
Tripod Thread1/4 in thread1/4 in (on mount)
Weight90 g Better101.5 g
Dimensions84 x 38 x 61 mm—
Colors—Graphite Black | Arctic White
Pan / Tilt—2-axis gimbal

Connectivity

Facecam MK.2Link 2
ConnectionUSB-C (USB 3.0 for uncompressed)USB-C (USB 2.0), USB-C to USB-A adapter
Software—Link Controller
Operating SystemsWindows 10 (64-bit)+, macOS 12+Windows 10+, macOS 11+
UVCUVC 1.5—

Takeaways

  • It's a tie on our rating (4/5) between Facecam MK.2 and Link 2, so choose on the rows that matter most to you.
  • Choose Facecam MK.2 for streamers.
  • Choose Link 2 for teachers.

Pros and Cons

Facecam MK.2

PROS

  • Uncompressed 1080p60 over USB 3.0
  • Sony STARVIS sensor
  • 720p120 for smooth motion
  • Light at 90 g

CONS

  • Fixed focus (30-120 cm)
  • No built-in mic listed

Link 2

PROS

  • AI tracking on a 2-axis gimbal
  • Smart Whiteboard and DeskView
  • HDR at every resolution
  • Portrait 4K mode

CONS

  • 79.5° view is narrower than most here
  • USB 2.0 connection

Similar Comparisons

Quick Verdict

  • Facecam MK.2 7.7Leads in Low-Light Performance, Field of View & Framing, Build & Privacy
  • Link 2 7.9Best overallLeads in Image Quality