Nikon releases software to use cameras as a webcam

Nikon has released the Webcam Utility software for both Windows and Mac systems. This gives owners of quite a large number of Nikon DSLRs and system cameras the opportunity to use their camera as a webcam relatively easily.

Users must install the Webcam Utility software on their Windows or macOS computer and connect one of the compatible Nikon cameras to their system via USB. The camera can then be used as a webcam by selecting Webcam Utility as an external camera in, for example, a web conference or video calling app. Nikon has tested Webcam Utility with Microsoft Teams, Skype, Zoom, Facebook Messenger and Google Meet. The maximum resolution is 1024×768 pixels.

The following cameras are compatible with Webcam Utility: Z 7II, Z 7, Z 6II, Z 6, Z 5, Z 50, D6, D5, D850, D810, D780, D750, D500, D7500, D7200, D5600, D5500, D5300 and the D3500. Nikon says that future SLR and mirrorless cameras can also use the software.

Incidentally, according to Nikon, the live image displays are small for the D810, D750, D7200, D5600, D5500, D5300 and D3500. Furthermore, cameras can potentially become too hot with prolonged use, which can cause the live view to stop. Microphones in the camera cannot be used, so an external microphone must be used.

Incidentally, it was already possible to use Nikon cameras as a webcam, although this required the use of the qDslrDashboard program, which is still under development, to get a liveview of the camera on the computer. Other camera manufacturers also previously came up with software that is comparable to Nikon’s Webcam Utility.