In today’s remote work world, video conferencing is a part of our daily lives. As we spend more time on Zoom calls and FaceTime chats, our webcams are under the microscope.
Many MacBook Pro users are wondering: why is the MacBook Pro camera so bad, especially when compared to other Apple products like the iPhone?
Mac Webcams
Older Macs
For years Apple has been putting 720p FaceTime HD cameras in MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.
Those cameras were fine when they were new but now they’re behind the times. Users of older Macs complain about grainy images, poor low light performance and overall subpar video conferencing experience.
Recent Updates
With the M1 MacBook Pro and latest MacBook Air, Apple finally upgraded the webcam to 1080p.
Many users are happy with the update but some still find the camera quality lacking compared to other laptops and external webcams.
Why is the Camera so Bad
Hardware
One of the main reason why the MacBook Pro camera is so bad is the hardware itself.
The thin screen of the laptop doesn’t leave much room for a bigger camera sensor which is important for capturing more light and better image quality.
Software
While hardware plays a big role, software processing is also important. macOS has never prioritized advanced image processing for its built-in cameras so the output is lower quality compared to iOS devices like the iPhone.
Lighting
Mac webcams performance is heavily dependent on lighting. In low light conditions, the image quality suffers and becomes grainy and noisy.
MacBook Pro Cameras vs Other Devices
iPhone vs MacBook Pro
The difference in camera quality between iPhones and MacBooks is mind boggling.
iPhones have larger sensors, multiple lenses and advanced image processing capabilities which is hard to fit in the thin screen of a laptop.
Other Laptops
Compared to other computer manufacturers, Apple’s webcam in MacBooks is behind.
Many Windows laptops now have 1080p or 4K webcams for better video quality for remote work and video conferencing.
Solutions and Workarounds
Continuity Camera
With macOS Ventura, Apple introduced Continuity Camera, a feature that allows you to use your iPhone as a webcam for your Mac.
This solution uses the better camera of the iPhone to improve video quality during Zoom meetings and other video calls.
Third Party Webcams
Many users have opted to use external webcams to bypass the built-in camera. These devices have better resolution, better low light performance and additional features like autofocus and wide angle lenses.
Lighting
Improving your lighting setup can make a big difference in video quality. Getting a ring light or proper room lighting can help fix some of the issues with the MacBook Pro camera.
Mac Webcams
As remote work becomes more common, Apple will likely focus more on the webcam quality in future MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.
They’ve already done some work with the 1080p upgrade in the newer models but there’s still room for improvement to meet today’s user expectations.
Conclusion
While the MacBook Pro camera is a pain point for many users, it’s worth noting that it’s good enough for basic video conferencing. But as we use video more and more, the demand for better webcam in Apple laptops is growing.
If you want immediate fix, Continuity Camera or external webcams can help. For Apple, they need to balance design constraints with user expectations to have better built-in cameras in future MacBooks.
Whether you have an old Mac or the latest M1 MacBook Pro, knowing these limitations and solutions can help you make the most of your video calls.
