M1 Max 16" terrible webcam quality !!!!

[Realityck]

Not what I see in Max's video shown above. The new one shows better detail and looks better overall. And so far that's the most direct evidence at hand in this overheated thread.

I have both the M1 iMac and 16” M1 Max MBP, yes it depends a lot on lighting. Even if it’s 1080P it’s not going look great in lower lighting, compared a well lit room. In that regard it’s not evidence that things are terrible. My iPad mini 6 is better than both, but it’s got features more advanced.

16” MBP
1080p FaceTime HD camera
Advanced image signal processor with computational video

24” iMac
1080p FaceTime HD camera with M1 image signal processor

Ipad Mini 6 FaceTime HD Camera specs

• 12MP Ultra Wide front camera, 122° field of view
• ƒ/2.4 aperture
• Smart HDR 3
• 1080p HD video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
• Time‑lapse video with stabilization
• Extended dynamic range for video up to 30 fps
• Cinematic video stabilization (1080p and 720p)
• Wide color capture for photos and Live Photos
• Lens correction
• Retina Flash
• Auto image stabilization
• Burst mode

Its apparent that’s iOS/iPadOS new devices are way superior. But you can still get good results from recent Macs with good lighting. Perhaps they will tweak how front camera operates as we go along.

 

[timelapsegeek]

I'm definitely not happy with my webcam quality as well. Old 16" 2019 was way more natural and I preferred that one.

 

[ANDJOE]

Keep in mind the depth on the display lid is a limiting factor.
It’s like 3mm. The iPhone 13 Pro is over 7.5mm for reference.
I’m not aware of any camera system at that size that impresses.

 

[arche3]

Better get a whole makeup crew before zoom meetings

 

[jesus87hlm]

I had a similar issue. I have found out why the quality seemed off in my case. I had a window next to me in the camera view angle next to my face that messed up the image. It is as if my face skin was made of wax. I don't know how to describe it, but definitely, it doesn't happen with my iPhone or any other camera even if I am in the same place; I guess it is software-related. I have just moved somewhere else without any window behind me, and now it looks good.

 

[Larabee119]

Another one of these annoying replies no I won’t return my machine because of the web cam but I’m still allowed to say something bad about it when I spent £3300 so chill

You have other reasons to return it. Clearly you don't like it . I think the MS Surface line up is more up your alley.

 

[tmoerel]

The webcam in the new macbooks is pushing the limits. When lighting is average to low, to avoid a noisy image, it starts to use quite heavy noise reduction. The downside of this kind of noise reduction is that things start looking waxy/plasticy.
The easy solution is to put some more light on your face. That reduces noise reduction and gives a sharper image.

 

[Mick84]

Wax Max Yuryev from Max Tech looks pretty waxy here:

View attachment 1923803

His face on the new webcam looks weirdly smoothed. Both the previous webcam and new one look kinda bad. Like the OP said for this price it should be something better.

 

[Sanpete]

Since there are a number of engineers in this thread, what camera that would fit would be better? Phones and tablets are thicker.

 

[zhenya]

Since there are a number of engineers in this thread, what camera that would fit would be better? Phones and tablets are thicker.

The hardware they used is likely fine and about as good as you can get in this form factor. It's the processing that's the problem - it's so over-smoothed that surfaces lose all texture detail which is what causes the wax figure/too much makeup look. They just need to tweak the software. The image will still have issues, but a grainy picture looks better than this.

 

[ninecows]

Keep complaining about laws of physics and the next MacBook will have a bump on the lid ensuring enough space for a better camera.

But for me - if it’s about the filter I don’t see a reason for not making that optional. I don’t like to have my imperfections smoothed out either. I like myself as I am.

 

[Cameraman12]

I was told on a call yesterday that I looked out of focus because the image on their end looked soft. I'm going back to using my phone for calls.

 

[Kylo83]

I was told on a call yesterday that I looked out of focus because the image on their end looked soft. I'm going back to using my phone for calls.

apple should of just done what dell done and put a bad camera in the thin bezel part and ignore the notch, I wouldn't mind the notch if we have a epic camera

 

[Cameraman12]

apple should of just done what dell done and put a bad camera in the thin bezel part and ignore the notch, I wouldn't mind the notch if we have a epic camera

Or allow access to a 'low light' setting that allows you turn on an off the noise reduction software.

Apple usually gets anything relating to cameras and imaging right so I'm really surprised that they dropped the ball on this new camera. It's probably the only feature on my new 16" that I'm disappointed with.

 

[Silverstring]

Another one of these annoying replies no I won’t return my machine because of the web cam but I’m still allowed to say something bad about it when I spent £3300 so chill

No issue with your airing of your disappointment over the quality of your webcam.

...that said, if you won't consider returning it, then it is literally acceptable to you, regardless of cost.

You're free to complain, and others are just as free to suggest a return as an option if it bugs you that much. The freedom to share opinions cuts both ways.

 

[Sanpete]

The hardware they used is likely fine and about as good as you can get in this form factor. It's the processing that's the problem - it's so over-smoothed that surfaces lose all texture detail which is what causes the wax figure/too much makeup look. They just need to tweak the software. The image will still have issues, but a grainy picture looks better than this.

You'd evidently be surprised how many people prefer that processed look to a noisy or grainy image. It would be fine with me to allow more user control over it, though.

 

[cababah]

You'd evidently be surprised how many people prefer that processed look to a noisy or grainy image. It would be fine with me to allow more user control over it, though.

I agree - I have both the previous 720p camera and the new 1080p and it is not even close. The low-light performance in the 720p camera is embarrassing to say the least. The 1080p ones do look a bit more "processed" but it is still way better than the grainy, pixelated garbage image on the 720p webcam.

 

[OhMyMy]

You gotta have the light in your face for it to be acceptable on the new Macs. Merely sitting in a well lit room doesn't cut it.

 

[Cameraman12]

I'll take the grain over heavy handed noise reduction software any day.

 

[wilberforce]

I'll take the grain over heavy handed noise reduction software any day.

They need to find a better balance: get rid of the chroma noise (which is extremely distracting), and reduce the luminance noise moderately - too much luminance noise reduction results in the waxy look.
It also looks like there is too much temporal (as opposed to spatial) noise reduction - the slightest motion smudges the pixels.
All is much improved by having good light.

 

[osx'r]

As I typically don’t watch myself on camera, the camera quality has never been an issue for me on any computer I’ve owned. ?

 

[wilberforce]

As I typically don’t watch myself on camera, the camera quality has never been an issue for me on any computer I’ve owned. ?

Yeah, I too don't think it is that important, but apparently the reason we have this notch is so we get to have this totally awesome camera. Oh and the Face ID, of course, I forgot about that.
/s

 

[cababah]

I'll take the grain over heavy handed noise reduction software any day.

Not everyone looks good in HD...just saying

 

[Cameraman12]

I think they should have just kept the 720P camera which would have required less noise reduction. Too many pixels in that tiny sensor. My 2017 MacBook Pro camera definitely looks better.

 

[Bandaman]

The quality is fine. It’s the Instagram skin-blur filter that can’t be turned off that’s the problem.