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Old Digital Cameras Can Double as Webcams as Retro Camera Sales Climb

Old digital cameras are selling again, and many DSLRs, mirrorless models and compacts can be used as webcams for better low-light images and background blur, provided owners check USB support, HDMI costs and resale value first.

AI News Feed · 2026-10-07 03:11

Shipments of built-in-lens digital cameras rose 29.6 percent in 2025 to roughly 2.44 million units, and the Camera & Imaging Products Association projects a further 13.6 percent increase in 2026. CIPA did not attribute that growth specifically to the retro digicam trend.

For anyone who already owns such a camera, Engadget reports the payoff can include better low-light performance, more control over framing and the natural background blur that laptop webcams rely on software to imitate. The open question is whether a given model can do the job without turning a free upgrade into an expensive side project.

The first step is checking the specific model number against the manufacturer's webcam compatibility list. Canon's EOS 6D and EOS Rebel T6 remain supported, as do Nikon's D5300 and D750 through Nikon's Webcam Utility, and Sony's A5100, A7 II and RX100 IV through Imaging Edge Webcam. If a camera appears on the list, setup is often straightforward: install the manufacturer's software where required, connect the camera with a USB data cable, switch it to the appropriate video or remote mode and select it in Zoom, Google Meet or Microsoft Teams.

A larger camera does not automatically produce a sharper webcam image. Some supported older Nikon DSLRs use only the VGA portion of the company's XGA live-view display, meaning a newer dedicated webcam could capture more detail. Depending on the model, a larger sensor, better low-light performance and lens control can offset some of that gap.

Audio and power need checking as well. Nikon and Sony state that their webcam utilities do not send the camera's microphone audio to the computer, so users need a laptop microphone or a separate one. Live view also drains the battery during long meetings, making external power worth arranging where the camera supports it.

Cameras without USB webcam support can still be used if they offer clean HDMI output, meaning no autofocus boxes, exposure readouts or battery icons on screen, connected through a capture device that shows up on the computer as a webcam. Elgato advises checking whether power saving can be turned off and whether the camera can be powered externally while transmitting video, since some older models were not built to run for hours as desk accessories.

Cost decides whether that route is worth taking. Elgato's Cam Link 4K is priced at $99.99, excluding an HDMI cable, mount or a possible dummy battery, while Engadget's current webcam guide covers the 2K Anker PowerConf C200 at $60 with built-in microphones and a simpler USB setup. Mac users may be able to use a compatible iPhone, and Windows 11 users can use a compatible Android phone as a webcam at no cost.

Resale value is worth weighing before buying accessories. According to B&H, one of its writers bought a Canon PowerShot S95 for $130 in 2023, and the model was selling for an average of more than $400 in 2026.