EMEET SmartCam S800 in test: Excellent 4K streaming camera as a webcam and process camera on the move

1 - Introduction and technical data 2 - Webcam and audio test 3 - 4K prozess camera in my TIMA5 4 - Summyry and conclusion

I had actually planned to use something other than the EMEET SmartCam S800 to monitor the TIMA5, but after my Logitech C930e webcam had been driving me up the wall since I bought it due to the poor quality of the picture and sound, this time it really was time and I first converted the desktop. Then I thought that was it. But after just one day, I was so impressed by the Far Eastern product available from Amazon, which hardly anyone here is likely to know, that I started experimenting with it and even treated myself to a second one because it came with a discount coupon and I was able to equip and equip the TIMA with it. And today I just want to write about both, because the EMEET SmartCam S800 cuts a really good figure even on technical detours and just a simple webcam review would be too thin and pure influencer fodder.

Today’s test object is a versatile 4K webcam that is ideal for streaming, video conferencing and content creation, but not just that, as we will see in a moment. For a webcam, it has a fairly large 1/2-inch Sony sensor, which delivers really sharp image quality even in difficult lighting conditions, making it particularly attractive for professional environments. The camera supports resolutions up to 4K at 30 frames per second and offers smoother playback at 60 fps at 1080p, making it suitable for high-resolution streams or meetings. Its fast autofocus system, which is supported by PDAF and TOF dual sensors, ensures precise and consistent sharpness during use, which I was also happy to take with me when using it in TIMA. The depth of field is also just right.

Scope of delivery

The scope of delivery is manageable, but it is only a webcam. You get the camera, a relatively short USB 3.0 cable from USB-C (camera) to USB-A (plug) and a short, printed manual. That’s it.

Unboxing and features

The design of the S800 is practical and it is well made and it also has an integrated cover protection for more privacy. The webcam can be easily attached to a screen or tripod using a clip. Its noise reduction microphones are sufficient for general meetings, but for a more professional sound, especially at a greater distance and in large rooms, an external microphone could be helpful. This is where you quickly reach the limits. Nevertheless, as we will see and above all hear in a moment, the Logitech webcam never even stands a chance when it comes to audio.

View 01

View 02

View 03

View 04

Another feature would be the somewhat hacky and unstable EMEETLINK software, which actually allows users to adjust various image settings such as brightness, contrast and white balance. The software also offers tools such as digital zoom and light metering modes to further optimize image quality. However, there are still some minor software problems that prompted me to uninstall the software. Because the camera also works simply via Plug & Play and all the features of the software can also be set via the Windows on-board tools, as we can see here. Therefore, this is not a point of criticism for me. But it still has to be mentioned.

Nevertheless, I’ll come back to the sensor and lens, because the EMEET SmartCam S800 is equipped with amazingly high-quality optics, which ensure clear and sharp images, especially at close range, without distortion. The camera lens has a focal length of 4.71 mm and offers a wide field of view of up to 73 degrees in wide-angle mode. This enables a comprehensive view of the surroundings, but without distortion like a frog lens. The lens is designed to deliver consistent results even in different lighting conditions, with features such as HDR (High Dynamic Range) helping to balance details in bright and dark areas. This worked quite well.

But what really flashed me about the SmartCam S800 was the integrated 1/2-inch Sony sensor. Sony sensors are generally known for their excellent image quality, high light sensitivity and accurate color reproduction, but the result was better than I expected. In addition, with the sensors well positioned in the sensor matrix, the sensor supports very practical autofocus technologies such as PDAF (phase detection autofocus) and TOF (time-of-flight), which together provide fast and accurate focusing. This is particularly useful when I or the TIMA test heads are moving.

Technical data

Here are the technical specifications of the EMEET SmartCam S800, because it’s hard to do without them:

• Sensor: 1/2-inch Sony sensor
• Resolution: Up to 4K (3840 x 2160) at 30 fps, 1080p at 60 fps
• Autofocus: PDAF (phase detection autofocus) and TOF (time-of-flight)
• Lens type: 4.71 mm focal length
• Field of view: 73° in wide-angle mode (zoom up to 40°)
• Exposure modes: Automatic and manually adjustable
• Digital zoom: Yes, continuous zoom from 73° to 40°
• HDR support: Yes, for better image quality in difficult lighting conditions
• Microphone: Two integrated omnidirectional microphones with noise suppression
• Focus modes: Automatic and manual
• Interfaces: USB 2.0/3.0 port
• Software: EMEETLINK for image adjustments such as brightness, contrast, saturation, white balance and digital filters
• Mounting options: Can be mounted on the screen or with a tripod
• Privacy: Integrated lens cap for privacy
• Dimensions: Compact and lightweight, exact dimensions and weight vary depending on source
• Compatibility: Works with Windows, macOS and most video conferencing and streaming apps