How to Use Your DSLR or Mirrorless Camera as a Webcam (No Capture Card Needed!)

In times of COVID-19 and the rise of telework and online video conferences, having a decent webcam is key to making a good impression. But what if your webcam is just not that good or you simply don’t have one?

As in my last article on how to use your GoPro as a webcam I will give you an easy to follow step by step guide on how to use your Canon, Nikon or Sony camera as a webcam. With this method you don’t need an expensive capture card. Rather invest your money in a good headset with a decent microphone. Your video chat partners will thank you!

Update 1: The easiest way for Canon EOS users as of now is at the bottom of this article.

Update 2: Nikon released a webcam utility, too. See bottom of this article. The OBS method might still be better as to limited support of cameras as of now.

What you need:

• digiCamControl open-source software (list of supported cameras)
• OBS Studio
• OBS VirtualCam Plugin for OBS Studio
• Your camera
• A USB cable to connect your camera with your PC/laptop

So let’s get to it:

1. Install digiCamControl
2. Install OBS Studio
3. Install OBS VirtualCam Plugin
4. Connect your camera with the USB cable to your PC/laptop and turn it on.
   Important: Set the monitor off delay for live view to the maximum in your camera settings.
5. Start digiCamControl
   You should see the name of your camera in the upper left of the user interface.
6. Go to File->Settings->Webserver and enable „Use web server„
7. Copy the MJPEG Stream address
8. Restart digiCamControl for the settings to take effect
9. After reopening the app click the round Lv icon in the menu bar to start the live view of your camera. A new window should open up with a live image of your camera. You can control focus, aperture, ISO, shutter time and more within this window.
10. Start OBS Studio
11. Add a new scene and call it DSLR
12. Add a new media source and call it DSLRSource
13. Uncheck „Local File“ and paste the previously copied MJPEG stream address into the „Input“ text field.
    Your live view should appear now in the window above. If it doesn’t click okay and try to switch to another scene and back to DSLR. If the live view still doesn’t show up in OBS Studio try to close both OBS Studio and digiCamControl. Reopen digiCamControl (always open this one first) then start the live view. Then open OBS Studio again. It should work now.
14. Go to Tools->VirtualCam and hit start
    Pro tip: Enable „AutoStart“ to start the webcam every time when opening OBS Studio.

You are all set and can use your high end webcam in your favorite video conferencing tools. Please be aware that the UWP version of Skype doesn’t support this webcam interface but Skype for Business and the normal Skype desktop client does. Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Facebook, etc. should all work out of the box. Just one sidenote: Your camera will only transmit a video but no audio signal so use your built in microphone, a headset or an external microphone.

That’s it. Be happy and buy me a beer if this guide helped you. :)

Update for Canon cameras:

1. Download and install EOS Webcam Utility Software
2. Restart your computer
3. Turn on your camera and set it to movie mode
4. Adjust your exposure settings for the desired look
5. Connect your camera to your PC via USB cable
6. Open your video conference/chat software and set the webcam to EOS Webcam Utility
7. Done.

Update for Nikon cameras:

1. Download and install Nikon Webcam Utility
2. Analogue to the Canon utility above