# Best capture card for streaming a camera

> A capture card turns a mirrorless camera into a webcam for your streaming software. Here are the picks, and when you can skip one.

A capture card takes the HDMI output from a mirrorless or DSLR camera and feeds it into your computer as a webcam. You only need one when you want to use a real camera in streaming software instead of a built-in laptop camera or a USB webcam.

Our first pick costs about $80 to $130 and the 4K60 card about $130 to $170. If you stream from the Whatnot app on a phone, or use a USB webcam, you can skip a capture card entirely.

1. **[Elgato Cam Link 4K](https://sellersetups.com/us/product/elgato-cam-link-4k)** ($80 to $130): The standard pick for a single camera. It turns the HDMI feed into a webcam your streaming software recognizes, at up to 1080p60 or 4K30, from one USB 3 port.
   - Good for: A mirrorless rip camera on a laptop; One-camera computer streams
   - Not for: Phone-only Whatnot shows; USB webcam setups
2. **[Elgato 4K S](https://sellersetups.com/us/product/elgato-4k-s)** ($130 to $170): The 4K60 pick. One HDMI camera over USB-C at up to 4K and 60 frames, with an audio input for a mic, for listing videos and shows you crop into.
   - Good for: Recording 4K listing videos; Cropping into a 4K frame live
   - Not for: Plain 1080p streams; Phone-only shows

## How we chose

- Shows up as a webcam with no extra drivers
- Handles 1080p at 60 frames for smooth rips
- Small enough to hang off a laptop port
- Works with common streaming software

## Check your camera first

Your camera needs an HDMI port that can send a clean picture, with no menus or battery icons on top. Look in its HDMI settings for an option to hide the on-screen info.

Some cameras also stream over USB with no capture card. That route often drops quality or frame rate, so test it before you rule a card in or out.

## USB port and cable

The stick needs a USB 3 port. On a laptop with only USB-C, use a short, well-made adapter rather than a long hub shared with other gear.

Cameras with a micro-HDMI port need a micro-HDMI to full HDMI cable. Buy a short one so its weight doesn’t pull on the camera’s port.

## Other routes

There are cheaper unbranded HDMI sticks on Amazon. We haven’t ranked them here, so read recent reviews before you trust one with a paid show.

If you only want a sharper picture, a 4K webcam plugs straight in and skips the camera, card and cables.

## Questions

### Do I need a capture card for Whatnot?

Only if you run desktop streaming software. Phone apps and USB webcams work without one.

### Will a capture card work with any camera?

It needs an HDMI output that can hide the on-screen display. Check the camera’s HDMI settings or manual.

### 4K or 1080p capture for card breaks?

Check your platform's current maximum stream resolution. If it is 1080p, capture at 1080p and 60 frames. 4K input helps if you crop in during the show.

### Can my camera run a whole show on battery?

Not for long shows. They drain the battery, so use a dummy battery that plugs into the wall, made for your camera.

### Does a capture card add delay?

Yes, by a small amount. Keep your audio on the same path or nudge the audio delay in your streaming software until lips match.

### Can I use two cameras with one capture card?

Each USB stick or card takes one camera. For two or three cameras, use one stick per camera on separate USB 3 ports.