The Logitech MX Brio offers a big improvement in image quality and a handy party trick

Logitech has been in the webcam game long before the pandemic made it a necessity. But for some reason, none of them were good enough to be part of its flagship product line-up alongside peripherals like and That’s changing now with the introduction of the $200 MX Brio, which features a new sensor for vastly improved image quality , upgraded microphones and a special hinge that can be really handy for presentations.

Even before you get to the photo and video quality, the MX Brio impressed me with a much more premium design compared to the old one. It comes in three colors (silver, gray and black) and has an aluminum body instead of plastic like the previous model. But what I really like are details like the built-in shutter, which can be opened and closed by turning the ring on the front of the camera. This means you don’t have to worry about losing the lens cap like you do with some of its competitors like the .

The MX Brio also comes with a clip to mount on your laptop or monitor. However, if you prefer a more sophisticated setup using a tripod, the clamp detaches magnetically to reveal a hidden 1/4-inch thread. However, the coolest thing about the Clip is its optional hinge that lets you tilt the camera down into what the company calls Show Mode, which automatically rotates its field of view (FOV) to provide a bird’s-eye view of your desk .

This simple feature makes it super easy to share notes or show off a product without having to reconfigure your entire setup or add a second camera to the mix. This is something I’ve wanted to do countless times on (when we were still streaming it live), but I couldn’t, as my workspace doesn’t have room for a dedicated top-down camera arm.

As for image quality, the MX Brio is based on a Sony Starvis sensor that supports up to 4K/30fps recording, while offering much better dynamic range and low-light sensitivity than before. To test this, I compared the MX Brio to its predecessor and the difference was immediately apparent. Even when using Windows’ main camera app, the new model’s photos were much more colorful and accurate. Also, my desk position means I often have to contend with bright backlighting that makes my face look unusually dark, but the MX Brio overcomes this in a way the old model never could. And thanks to certification for several major applications, including Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet, you’ll look even better when using the right video conferencing software.

Another thing I appreciate is that Logitech gives you a lot of options to adjust things like white balance, FOV, exposure, and more. The addition of dual beam-forming microphones also helps deliver audio clearly, while AI reduces distracting ambient noise. But one of the best nods to overall usability is that you can now use both Options+ and Logitech’s G Hub app to control the webcam. This is nice for anyone who needs to jump in on work calls but also wants to stream live at night without having to switch between multiple devices or programs. The only thing really missing is the ability to quickly set a custom white point using gray cards like you can on a traditional digital camera.

Of course, I only had a short time to play with the MX Brio. But even so, it’s clear that Logitech finally has a webcam that can join the company’s portfolio of best-in-class productivity devices.

The MX Brio goes on sale today, though the black model will only be available at Best Buy for the first 90 days.

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