For content creators and streamers seeking broadcast-quality video, the Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra presents a formidable, if slightly flawed, proposition. Priced at £299.99, this high-end webcam promises DSLR-like detail with its large sensor, but our extended testing reveals a mix of stunning performance and frustrating inconsistencies.
Design & Build: A Webcam That Feels Like a Camera
Immediately striking is the Kiyo Pro Ultra's substantial design. Weighing 348g, it feels reassuringly solid, more akin to a proper camera than a typical lightweight webcam. The lens-like housing features an 8.3MP autofocus lens and a clever, wheel-activated privacy shutter. Razer includes a protective plastic cover for travel and a versatile stand. This stand attaches via a camera thread mount, allowing placement on monitors, and offers useful panning adjustment. Crucially, the bundled USB-A to USB-C 3.0 cable is mandatory; using a standard USB 2.0 cable drastically hampers performance.
Performance & Features: Breathtaking Image Quality Meets Software Hurdles
At its core, the Kiyo Pro Ultra is a powerhouse. Its headline feature is the large Sony STARVIS-2 sensor, which Razer claims is the biggest in any webcam. It supports video up to 4K at 30 frames per second, along with 1440p and 1080p options at higher frame rates. The lens has an aperture of f/1.7 and an 8.5mm focal length, and it's equipped with a stereo omnidirectional microphone.
The out-of-the-box image quality, particularly at 4K 30fps, is exceptional. The clarity, sharpness, and colour reproduction are arguably best-in-class, living up to the 'DSLR-like' marketing. The real potential is unlocked within Razer's Synapse software on Windows, where manual control over exposure, focus, and lens distortion compensation can yield truly superb results.
However, significant drawbacks emerge. There is no native support for macOS, severely limiting customisation for Mac users without paid third-party apps. The Synapse software interface for the camera is confusing, with inconsistent results when saving settings. Furthermore, we experienced occasional overheating that caused the camera to temporarily fail, often at inconvenient moments.
Value & Verdict: A Premium Price for Premium Pixels
Positioned against rivals like the Elgato Facecam 4K and Logitech MX Brio—both around half the price—the Kiyo Pro Ultra justifies its cost primarily through its sensor size and resultant image fidelity. While the Elgato offers 4K at 60fps, it has a smaller sensor and no onboard audio. The Logitech, meanwhile, can't match the Razer's sheer picture quality.
In conclusion, the Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra is not perfect. Its software quirks, lack of Mac support, and rare overheating are genuine marks against it. Yet, for Windows-based creators and streamers for whom image quality is the non-negotiable top priority, it stands virtually unrivalled. You pay a premium, but you receive a level of visual performance that blurs the line between webcam and professional camera.
