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Obsbot Tiny SE webcam: Two-minute review
The Obsbot Tiny SE is an entry-level pan-tilt-and-zoom gimbal webcam with AI features that punches well above its weight. At a remarkably affordable price point of $99 / £109 / AU$199, it offers a compelling blend of features and performance that makes it a strong contender, but only if you need a camera that can follow you around a room.
The low price point is probably down to the Obsbot Tiny SE maxing out at 1080p resolution. If you’re a stickler for 4K, check out the Obsbot Tiny 2, but for most users, 1080p strikes an excellent balance between quality and practicality. What’s more important is that this webcam will go up to 100 frames per second, if you’re moving around a room, gesturing, or being rather animated in general having smooth motion is going to be important.
The webcam utilizes a 1/2.8-inch CMOS sensor with an f/1.8 aperture, resulting in decent low-light performance with minimal noise and grain. This is a significant advantage for home offices with terrible lighting; gamers who prefer a moody, backlit setup will also appreciate how well this webcam performs.
Here is a side-by-side image comparison against the budget webcam king, the Logitech C920. As you can see, the lines are sharper, the details are clearer, and the color balance is better.
The Tiny SE is, as the name suggests, tiny. Especially for a camera that includes motors able to follow you around a room. There is something undeniably cute about something so small following you around a room. Its compact design ensures it doesn’t hog space on your desk or screen. Here is a picture with it next to an SD card to give you an idea of how small it really is:
The webcam comes with a standard monitor mount, making it easy to clip onto your laptop or desktop display. For added versatility, it also includes a 1/4-inch thread for mounting on tripods or other camera accessories.
The USB-C connection ensures compatibility with modern devices, and the included USB-C to USB-A adapter covers legacy ports. This thoughtful inclusion makes it adaptable without forcing you to rummage through your drawer of forgotten dongles and adapters.
The built-in AI tracking is a showstopper. Whether you’re pacing during a presentation or showcasing a product for your audience, the webcam keeps you perfectly framed. You can choose between different framing like upper-body tracking, or close-up shots.
The tracking works pretty well, keeping subjects in focus even when they move around the frame. Paired with the smooth 100 FPS recording, the result is buttery-smooth footage that doesn’t feel like a typical static webcam shot.
Gesture controls are a fun addition that I personally found annoying but I could see being useful for someone who is presenting. Need to zoom in? Flash an “L” with your hand. Want it to follow your movements? Raise your hand, and it locks onto you. Sometimes however it interprets hand gestures incorrectly and will zoom into a random area or follow you when you don’t want it to. Try it out for yourself to see if it’s useful, but personally, I turned it off.
When testing the built-in microphones for the Tiny SE in a quiet room, my voice is clear with good range for webcam use, although a small amount of room echo and noise are present. The mic isn’t exceptional but then I was never expecting it to be and it does struggle a little in a crowded office. You’ll always sound better with a dedicated headset or microphone but for a webcam, the Tiny SE offers acceptable audio quality.
In terms of usability, the setup process is straightforward. Plug it in and you’re good to go. The Obsbot Center software does take this webcam to the next level and while it is annoying installing an app for a webcam, it really is worth it to get the most out of the Tiny SE. Its intuitive interface makes adjusting settings a breeze, whether you’re tweaking the tracking mode or fine-tuning image quality. You can adjust ISO, shutter speed, white balance, and refresh rate, as well as play with its AI features. The software also supports integration with tools like the Elgato Stream Deck, letting you set up presets for different angles or zoom levels at the push of a button.
While the AI-driven tracking around a room is almost flawless, the autofocus leaves something to be desired. While it technically works, it isn’t as snappy or accurate as autofocus found in higher-end and more expensive models. There’s noticeable focus hunting and occasional warping, which can be distracting when trying to present or walking around. It’s one of the few compromises they clearly made to keep the price so low.
Obsbot Tiny SE webcam: Price & availability
- How much does it cost? $99 / £109 / AU$199
- When is it available? Available now
- Where can you get it? The US, UK, and Australia
Here’s where the Obsbot Tiny SE hits it out of the park: the price. At $99 / £109 / AU$199, this webcam is fighting way above its weight class. Comparable models with similar features and gimbal tracking often cost significantly more. The Tiny SE provides a budget-friendly option for those who want tracking without the premium price tag.
Obsbot Tiny SE webcam: Specs
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
HP 325 FHD webcam |
|---|---|
|
Price: |
$99 / £109 / AU$199 |
|
Supported resolutions: |
1080p at 100fps, 720p at 120fps |
|
Sensor: |
1/2.8-inch stacked CMOS, f/1.8 aperture |
|
Field of view: |
78 degrees |
|
Connection: |
USB-C |
|
Features: |
Gesture control, AI auto-tracking, AI autofocus |
|
Software Integration: |
Obsbot Center, Elgato Stream Deck |
Should you buy the Obsbot Tiny SE webcam?
|
Value |
With a reasonable price tag for its rich feature set, the Tiny SE is great value for money. |
4.5 / 5 |
|
Design |
With a nice clean aesthetic and near-silent gimbal movement, the Tiny SE is a well-designed piece of hardware. |
4 / 5 |
|
Performance |
Although the autofocus leaves a lot to be desired, the other features and general image quality are excellent. |
4 / 5 |
|
Avarage rating |
Despite its sensible pricing, the Obsbot Tiny SE is a venerable choice of webcam with great overall performance. |
4 / 5 |
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
Obsbot Tiny SE webcam: Also consider
How I tested the Obsbot Tiny SE webcam
- Tested the webcam in video calls
- Spent a while experimenting with the gesture command feature
- Compared image quality to other webcams
I used the Obsbot Tiny SE for video calls and general image quality testing, as well as trying it out with various lighting levels to see how well it performed. I also tried out the gesture controls, and did some side-by-side comparisons with other webcams the offer the same resolution.
- First reviewed March 2025
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