• TWEAK
• Gadgets

OBSBOT Tiny 2 SE

Translate from : OBSBOT Tiny SE

Central Specifications

• Size: 48.37*46.46*64.2mm
• Weight: 94g
• Image Sensor: 1/2.8'' CMOS
• Video Resolution: 1920x1080
• FOV (D): 78° (16:9)
• FOV (H): 71° (16:9)
• 2-axis Gimbal
• Controllable Range: Pan: ±140°；Tilt: 30°~ -70°
• Audio Input: Built-in Mic with noise reduction

In short, OBSBOT Tine SE is a less feature-rich version of their Tiny 2. However, Tiny SE comes with reasonable specifications that will satisfy many users.

A tour around the OBSBOT Tiny SE

As I just mentioned, the Tiny SE is in many ways reminiscent of the significantly more expensive Tiny 2 from OBSBOT. The external design is largely the same as what we saw on the Tiny 2. It's a design that stands out from most standard webcams.

The primary reason for this is the integrated 2-axis gimbal, which is mounted as part of the device. It consists of a base with a motor and a USB C connection. It is also in the base that the built-in microphones are located.

Above it sits the camera itself mounted on a small gimbal arm. This setup means that you have the option of Pan: ±140°；Tilt: 30°~ -70°.

The small status light on the Tiny SE has been moved to a small LED diode in the upper left corner by the lens. It changes color depending on which setting you have the camera on. For example, it is green if you have not activated automatic tracking, while it changes to blue if you have activated tracking.

At the bottom of the Tiny SE there is a ¼” screw mount so it can be used with tripods and other mounting accessories.

In addition, the base can be tilted, allowing you to adjust the angle of the Tiny SE or ensure it sits firmly on top of your screen.

With Tiny SE you get a USB C to USB C cable along with a USB C to USB A adapter so you can connect Tiny SE.

Software

To make use of all the special features or customize settings, you must go through the OBSBOT Center software.

Here you can customize a multitude of different settings for the Tiny SE camera. It can be used with a whole range of products from OBSBOT, which has a fairly extensive range of products.

For example, it is possible to connect up to four OBSBOT cameras to the software and control them separately, if you want to set up more advanced setups for streaming.

One of the key things that sets the Tiny SE apart from many other webcams is that it comes with the option of automatic tracking, so the camera will follow you if you move around. Via the software, you can set how it should do this. This can vary depending on whether you are sitting in a normal video meeting or perhaps making a presentation where you are standing at a whiteboard or recording a dance video, for example.

There are also great options for customizing the image. You can set everything to auto or customize things yourself, with the option to manually adjust focus, exposure, color temperature, contrast, and more.

There is also the option to use filters. These are both regular Instagram style filters that apply a style/color tone to your video, but also beauty filters. This is where it goes in and changes your appearance and “trims” things like your shoulders, hips, face, etc.

OBSBOT has also provided the option of gesture control. This can be turned on or off in the settings.

Overall, there are lots of good features hidden in the software, and there are a lot more options for settings than in much other webcam software.

It is necessary to have the OBSBOT Center software running if you want to use the advanced features such as tracking and filters.

The software has worked without any problems throughout my testing.

Test

I have been using OBSBOT Tiny SE for a few weeks now in connection with online meetings and then just via Windows to test the functionality more broadly.

The setup was really straightforward and pure plug and play. Just plug in the USB C cable and I was up and running with basic features.

However, to be able to use the many features of the Tiny SE, as I mentioned earlier, you need to have the OBSBOT Center software running. This is what controls the tracking and various control options.

I set up the software so that during my test it would automatically start up with Windows so that I didn't have to think about it anymore during the test.

The first and perhaps most important thing is of course the image quality, and here I was fortunately confirmed that OBSBOT delivers good results, as we also saw with Tiny 2 4K.

The resolution is not everything and even though the Tiny SE is “only” 1080p, it delivers a super good picture.

It is technically possible to have more pixels in an image, and thus 4K resolution, without the image quality being significantly better. There are a number of other variables that can affect that.

Fortunately, OBSBOT hasn't fallen into that trap. They use a 1/2.8'' CMOS sensor, which does the job significantly better than the last few 4K webcams I've looked at, with the exception of OBSBOT's own Tiny 2 4K.

 Colors and contrast are really good on the default settings, and the autofocus does a good job of keeping my face in focus. The background in the image gets a nice bokeh effect, but if you look at it with manual focus, the camera is able to capture details even in the back of the image without any problems. At the same time, it can also focus all the way down to about 8-10 cm.

Autofocus works fine, but is not quite as quick to focus as on the Tiny 2 4K.

If I put the image from the Tiny SE up full screen on a 4K monitor, it may look a bit grainy. However, I have received positive feedback on the quality during my use, when it comes to online meetings etc.

A big part of the buzz with the Tiny SE, however, is not only the image quality, but also the TPZ (Tilt - Pan - Zoom) functionality, which is possible using the gimbal setup.

It is activated via the OBSBOT software and can then be transferred to other software solutions such as Discord or similar.

It is possible to set how the tracking should work via the software depending on what you are using your webcam for. For general use at the table, “Normal Tracking” is fine. If there is going to be more movement in the image, Motion can be an advantage, as the tracking is faster.

When you activate tracking, the LED light on the front changes color from green to blue.

I tested the tracking functionality both sitting at the table and standing in the room, where I moved around more, as if I were giving a lecture or making a presentation. Here, the tracking function had no problems following me.

Even if I turned my back and moved around, I was kept perfectly centered in the frame. If I left the room completely and came back in, the Tiny SE caught that just fine and started tracking again as soon as I was back in the frame.

If you want to turn off the camera, you can physically tilt the camera so that it points down and then it will shut down on its own.

The built-in microphones do the job relatively well, but they won't win any awards for their sound. However, it was more than fine for online meetings where I was positioned right in front of the Tiny SE.

Price

At the time of writing, I can find the OBSBOT Tiny SE with an online price of just under 180$.

That puts it at the high end when we look at webcams in general. However, we have to remember that PTZ functionality is included here, which OBSBOT does very well.

Conclusion

OBSBOT has made a nice addition to their range of PTZ Webcams with the Tiny SE. The image quality doesn't quite reach their 4K version, but it delivers a solid 1080p resolution.

The PTZ functionality works great and is a great addition if you need it. There will certainly be many who don't have it, and in those cases there is not necessarily good value to be found in the OBSBOT Tiny SE.

The need for PTZ capability should be the focus. In that context, it is hard to avoid the Tiny SE, which is a good and affordable option in the category.

This combined with solid and user-friendly software means that you get an overall very strong package with many options.

We end up with a final score of 9 for a super solid offering for an affordable 1080p PTZ webcam.

Advantages

• Good picture
• Well-functioning tracking and PTZ functionality
• Strong software

Disadvantages

• Nothing noteworthy