Razer Kiyo Pro vs Kiyo Pro Ultra
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Differences Summary
Specifications
Image Quality
Microphone Quality
Razer Synapse Software
Build and Mounting Options
Verdict
Differences Summary
Resolution and optics are the main attributes that separate the Razer Kiyo Pro and Kiyo Pro Ultra.
The Kiyo Pro Ultra is capable of up to 4K 30 FPS recording, and the Kiyo Pro maxes out at 1080p 60 FPS. The superior sensor (1/1.2”) and lens (8.5 mm, f/1.7) of the Kiyo Pro Ultra also grants it better image quality.
Lastly, the Kiyo Pro Ultra has a secondary privacy shutter located inside the camera itself.
Specifications
Razer Kiyo Pro
Max frame rate and resolution: 1080p 60 FPS.
Video format: YUY2, NV12.
Sensor: Sony STARVIS CMOS (size not listed).
Focal length: 3.8 mm.
Aperture: f/2.0
Connection: USB-C to USB-A 3.0 cable.
Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra
Internal privacy shutter open.
Shutter closed.
Max frame rate and resolution: 4K 30 FPS, 1080p 60 FPS.
Video format: MJPEG (all resolutions), YUY2 (1080p, 60 FPS and below), NV12 (4K 24 FPS and below).
Sensor: Sony STARVIS 2. 1/1.2”.
Focal length: 8.5 mm.
Aperture: f/1.7.
USB-C to USB-A 3.0 cable.
Image Quality
Studio lighting.
Super low light.
The Kiyo Pro produces a better quality image across the board. The image is sharper and the colors are more realistic without the artificial looking saturation effect on the Kiyo Pro. At 1080p 60 FPS, the colors on the Kiyo Pro Ultra get even better - especially with my skin tone.
Both webcams at uncompressed formats.
Due to the larger sensor and wider aperture lens, the Kiyo Pro Ultra is able to take in more light making low light shots actually usable. The Kiyo Pro isn’t exactly a slouch in this department, either. That said, I wouldn’t recommend paying this much for a webcam without investing in lighting first.
Additionally, the lens of the Kiyo Pro Ultra allows it to create a shallow depth of field or a blurry background. This is the first webcam to do this, so if you have a messy or cluttered background like mine, this will be very useful. And this isn’t a software effect - the bokeh is all physics based and it is created by how light interacts with the lens.
As shown above, the Kiyo Pro Ultra has the image quality of a legitimate $750 mirrorless camera and is in a completely different league than any other webcam released to date.
Microphone Quality
As expected, both of these mics are quite tinny and only useful for emergencies. That’s just how webcam mics generally are.
Razer Synapse Software
As of this writing, the Synapse software is quite buggy and it crashes a lot. I’ve been told that an update to the software is in the works to improve the UX and stability. I generally avoid bloated webcam software, but here’s a quick rundown of the features available in it anyway.
HDR
Both the Kiyo Pro and Kiyo Pro Ultra have access to a high dynamic range mode. This limits the frame rate to 30 FPS, but it uses those frames to limit over and underexposure in extreme lighting conditions.
This is can be useful for backlit shots where you’re in front of a window and have no other lights. I wouldn’t ever use this mode myself; it’s better to just either face the window, close the blinds, or get better lighting, but heh.
The following Synapse features are exclusive to the Kiyo Pro Ultra.
Autofocus modes
It took a full minute to get this to focus properly.
Both the Kiyo Pro and Ultra have autofocus, but the latter gets extra options in Synapse. The focus mode can be set to either track your face specifically or “standard” which… isn’t particularly good at tracking anything, honestly.
There are also passive and responsive modes that make the drive speed slower or faster respectively.
Overall, neither device has great autofocus, but it’s much better on the Kiyo Pro Ultra for human faces. For demonstrating products or other objects, neither of these webcams are very reliable.
Lens Distortion Compensation
The only weakness I’d say the Kiyo Pro Ultra has is the lens has a GoPro-like fisheye barrel effect. It’s not nearly as intense as the Kiyo Pro when set to its widest FOV, but straight lines do bend out the farther from the center you look. Enabling the compensation crops in and tightens up the fisheye effect by a lot.
Distortion compensation off.
Distortion Compensation on.
Build and Mounting Options
Kiyo Pro Ultra internal privacy shutter.
The Kiyo Pro and Ultra are very similar in terms of their build. The bodies are all plastic. They both have a 5-foot USB-C to USB-A cable with USB 3.0 speed.
Tripod threading is on the bottom of the detachable monitor mount and also the bottom of the webcam itself. The devices can be swiveled horizontally and tilted up and down. Both devices have privacy lens caps.
The only real difference in build is the Kiyo Pro Ultra also comes with an internal privacy shutter that can be closed by twisting the webcam itself. This is very convenient and innovative.
One of the 2 tripod threading options on the Kiyo Pro Ultra.
Verdict
The Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra is a massive improvement over the Kiyo Pro. It’s not only the new best webcam in Razer’s lineup, it’s the new best webcam period. It’s not cheap though - I bought mine for its $300 launch price.
If you have the money, I would absolutely buy the Kiyo Pro Ultra and if you have the Kiyo Pro, I’d upgrade from that. If not, the Kiyo Pro has seen a price cut at many places recently, so it’s still pretty dominant at its new sub-$150 price range.
