Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Razer Kiyo Pro Streaming Webcam: Full HD 1080p 60FPS - Adaptive Light Sensor - HDR-Enabled - Wide-Angle Lens with Adjustable FOV - Works with Zoom/Teams/Skype for Conferencing and Video Calling

Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2021

Size: WebcamStyle: Kiyo ProVerified Purchase

Do not buy if you plan to use in apps like Zoom or Teams. All of the features like FOV and HDR have to be configure in the Razer software. Productivity apps do not see the customizations from that software. So you are forced to the ultrawide and SDR output from the camera. Not good.

364 people found this helpful

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Good camera, atrocious support from Razer (see details)

Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2021

Size: WebcamStyle: Kiyo ProVine Customer Review of Free Product( What's this? )Verified Purchase

I really wanted to like the Razer Kiyo Pro Streaming Webcam, but the experience has really been made up of a few different stories.

I’ve bought a number of Razer keyboards and mice over the years, so I wasn’t surprised by the Kiyo Pro’s slick retail packaging. Open the box and you’re treated to the sight of a CHUNKY webcam affixed to a folding stand, sitting in a cavity in foam. I immediately detached the folding stand, and was left with a cylindrical camera that’s reminiscent of a DX-sized, short focal length DSLR lens. The resemblance is probably not accidental, as you have the F-stop, focal length and knurled top outer ring plainly visible. The stand seems fine, though I don’t know why you’d use it with a $200 webcam. A lenscap and braided USB-A to USB-C cable round out the hardware.

Plug the Kiyo Pro into a Windows 10 machine, and it will be detected as a normal UVC device. That’s to say that it will be listed in your Device Manager, and will be visible to your camera-aware programs and services. It will also be using whatever settings are configured from the factory. Accessing the hardware settings requires the installation of Razer’s Synapse software. My initial excitement at seeing a 6MB download turned to resigned dread as I saw that another 345MB need to be downloaded. This is probably fine if you can amortize this bloat over a full ecosystem of Razer peripherals, but I only have the Kiyo on this PC. Ugh. Once you get the software installed, it (in an nVidia-esque way) asks you to create an account. Ugh. Thankfully, you can skip past that, but it does ask you one more time. Synapse is ok, but it isn’t fast, possibly owing to its “plug-in” type architecture. Once in the Kiyo Pro widget, you can turn off AF, set a fixed focus point (assuming AF is off), set the FOV, and set a number of image adjustment parameters. Considering the AF was hunting all over the place, I found disabling the AF and setting a fixed focus point to be the right solution for me. It was at this point that I saw that there was a firmware update available (though no indication of what level of firmware the Kiyo Pro had loaded). Easy, right? Wrong...

Clicking on the link for the firmware download should have been a trivial exercise. The link went to a support article directing you to contact support if you wanted the update. Huh? I got on live chat on the Synapse website, which required the device’s serial number (inconvenient to get to, since I already had the device mounted). What followed was a 20 minute chat session. I asked for the firmware 4 times. The last time I asked, I was told that I needed to download a log generation tool. I downloaded and ran the tool, and it created a 2.8MB ZIP file, with over 27MB (across 57 files) of data inside. What? I explained to the extremely patient tech that I didn’t feel comfortable sending 27MB of data about my PC to them, just to QUALIFY to get a firmware update. She explained that the ZIP file was much smaller (not the point), and that my data would be only seen by people who needed to see the information. Again, this is to get a firmware installer. She eventually relented and gave my a tiny link to an all-in-one installer, which updated me from version 1.0 to 1.3.

Without a changelog, I wasn’t really sure what to expect from the update. As is happens, the firmware update bricked the camera. It was still detected by the OS, but no video was visible. Same result on multiple PCs. Time to go back to support. Ugh. What unfolded was OVER TWO WEEKS of wrestling with support. That was chats on the portal. Messages on the portal. Attachments uploaded to the portal. In the end, it was tons of wasted time. I really only bothered with support for the purposes of this review, since I hadn’t ever dealt with Razer on a support issue. In the end, I just returned it to Amazon for an exchange.

If this review were just about the camera, it would be pretty easy. The build quality is extremely high, and the video quality is very good for a 1080p camera. It is a LITTLE better than my Logitech C920 Pro, which is around the same price. The video quality is a bit better than a no-name 4K unit that I’d tried using for a while. Low light performance is pretty good, owing to its decent CCD and f2.0 lens. Ultimately, though, it still comes down to CCD size. You see, the CCD is TINY. While the Kiyo Pro does extremely well for a webcam, it’s still not going to come close to what you’d get using a DSLR as your stream cam. I would assume most people already knew that, but you never know who will get sucked into the marketing vortex. Speaking of marketing, the materials tout the Sony STARVIS CMOS CCD. I already have a number of IP cameras with these imagers, so I’m familiar with what they are, and how they work. The imager is back-illuminated, stabilized, and has a bit of image processing. While the imager itself has somewhat higher sensitivity, it’s largely the post-processing that essentially denoises a long exposure. It’s not magic - it’s nice to have, but it really doesn’t change an awful lot when it comes to low light scenarios with the Kiyo Pro. You will need some lighting for best results.

So, we’re finally down to the price. At $200, the Kiyo Pro is somewhere in the Logitech C920/930 Pro to Brio range. The Razer is also between those two segments of Logitech’s webcam product stack in terms of image quality, too. Generally speaking, that would make the Kiyo Pro a reasonable value. However, that presupposes that NOTHING goes wrong with your Razer product. All I can say is this: if you EVER need to deal with Razer support, I hope you have a better experience than me. While everyone I dealt with seemed nice enough, nobody was actually helpful. Ick. Unless you’re in love with the looks of the Kiyo Pro, and expect to deal with Amazon if you have any issues, you should get something else instead.

53 people found this helpful

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Hook's Hollands

Cannot update Kiyo Pro Firmware...Razer support is hideous

Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2021

Size: WebcamStyle: Kiyo ProVerified Purchase

*7-14-21 UPDATE: After contacting Razer a second time and specifically requesting an "Advanced RMA," they agreed to send me a replacement camera (with me paying for it first) and a shipping label to return my defective Kiyo Pro. I received my refund and finally have a Kiyo Pro with updated firmware, and I am very happy with its lowlight performance as a webcam. Shame on Razer for making consumers know enough to ask for their "Advanced RMA," which I thankfully heard about from another frustrated Kiyo Pro user.

If you want to update the firmware on the Razer Kiyo Pro, DO NOT BUY this camera until fresh stock is available! Razer Synapse software instructs to update the camera's firmware, but upon attempting to do so, a message pops up to contact Razer support. When calling Razer, the rep first asked WHY I wanted to update the firmware (seriously?) and then told me the serial number on my camera was not compatible with their updated firmware. My options were to keep the camera as-is, return it to Amazon, or ship it to Razer (at my expense) for several weeks while they replace it. 😕

"Maybe it was just a lemon," you say? I ordered a second Kiyo Pro camera from that store with the bestest buys. Plugged it into my other PC, proceeded to install the firmware, and I received the same "contact support" message. Same issue with two Kiyo Pros from different retailers. Shame on you, Razer. Either create firmware that can be applied to your product and recall those that cannot accept it or stop directing users to upgrade the camera's firmware. This is an embarrassment to Razer and needs to be known by consumers.

A quick Google search found dozens of others having this same issue when attempting to install the firmware to update the auto focus. The auto focus on the Kiyo Pro is decent but occasionally annoyingly searches for its subject. If your lighting is decent, this is only a minor issue, and you can set the focus manually as well.

The GOOD:
I'm actually considering KEEPING the Kiyo Pro, despite not being able to update the firmware and being ticked off at Razer. It is a sexy looking webcam (kind of like a DSLR lens without the camera body), spanks the competition with its HDR and low light performance, and is easily adjusted in the Synapse software that I already use with my other Razer peripherals.

Take a look at the HDR performance in my photos. You can see with HDR turned off, the highlights from my windows are blown out and distracting. I cannot stand having a key light blaring in my face and prefer to bounce a light off of the wall and use natural light from the windows behind me, so I need a webcam with both good low light performance and the ability to compensate for the bright windows behind me. I also like that the Kiyo Pro has a durable lens, removable USB-C to USB-A 3.0 cable (though extremely short - but can be replaced), and offers three zoom levels (narrow, medium, and wide).

Honestly, if I didn't KNOW there was a firmware update that I am unable to install, I would be abundantly pleased with my $$$ webcam, but I'm still on the fence about whether to return this for a Logitech Brio, which YouTube reviews have shown isn't as great in low light or HDR. Is the Kiyo Pro the best webcam of 2021? Probably not, and it seems overpriced and can't be updated, but it's an improvement over my Logitech C920 and is more than sufficient for Zoom meetings and face cam for gaming. Try it if you like, but make sure to keep the packaging and receipt and buy from a retailer with easy returns! 🤣

41 people found this helpful

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Ben Jay

Razer is knowingly selling defective products. Don't buy.

Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2021

Size: WebcamStyle: Kiyo ProVerified Purchase

As many others have mentioned, this camera has problems that can be helped with a firmware update. HOWEVER, some batches are unable to be updated because they will break your device. Razer knows this and thus has pulled the firmware updates from being publicly available. You are required to contact them if you would like to upgrade your firmware but many batches are not compatible and require you to replace your device which takes 2 weeks.

Instead of recalling their bad products, they make customers play the lottery on receiving a defective product and hope that the customer won't know to contact support about it.

I would have loved this product if it was working as intended or if Razer played this better without dishonesty towards the consumers. They are trying to quietly sweep the issue under the rug.

It's a shame because this webcam imo has superior color and performance in lower lighting scenarios compared to competition. If you can order from their website directly and ensure you will get an updated product, do that. But do not risk it on Amazon or any other store.

36 people found this helpful

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Kris

Took the gamble and it paid off. Great webcam

Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2021

Size: WebcamStyle: Kiyo ProVerified Purchase

This is a higher end webcam aimed at streamers who don't want to upgrade to a DSLR + Camlink setup. Most reviewers seem to agree that the build quality and picture quality of this device are top notch. However, the auto-focus constantly hunts and pulses the focus level and is therefore unusable. Razer released a firmware upgrade to address this problem, but a lot of manufactured Kiyo Pros aren't actually compatible with the upgrade, despite the software prompting you to do so, and are considered faulty by Razer. Other reviews mention the firmware upgrade bricking the webcam. I took a gamble and purchased the Kiyo Pro because I was looking for a higher end webcam that works well in low light situations. I only intend on using manual focus anyway. But out of sheer curiosity, I decided to see if I could upgrade the firmware. My device shipped at firmware version 1.03, indicating that it was manufactured a bit more recently. I was able to upgrade it to 1.05, which is the latest version. It worked! As a buyer, I would still urge caution if you're looking to buy this and you're dead set on upgrading the firmware, but I just wanted to write about my experience.

I tested out the auto-focus and it still isn't great, but it's nowhere near as bad as what I've seen in some video reviews. It doesn't hunt all the time, but it seems to want to focus on my background instead of on me. Doesn't really matter to me, as I still plan to use manual focus. The picture quality is sharp and the colors seem very accurate with auto white balance.

I returned my AverMedia PW513 for this and I'm very pleased. I chose this over the Elgato Facecam, which I have not tested. I spent hours testing the webcam today in different lighting situations, and with Razer Synapse, OBS and Google Meet, and I haven't had any issues (granted I've only had it for one day). I'll be sure to update this review if it ever poops out on me.

24 people found this helpful

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Valentin Konovalov

Doesn't work out of the box

Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2021

Size: WebcamStyle: Kiyo ProVerified Purchase

Firmware updater fails to update this camera and connection to the camera is unstable w/o this.
Support says:

Based on checking of your device model I have to inform that the current firmware is not compatible with it. In this case valentin I will be proceeding with the device replacement for the Razer kiyo pro.

So it means amazon sells some old devices which are not supposed to work out of the box.

23 people found this helpful

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F

Batch of Kiyo Pro cameras will not update to newer firmware.

Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2021

Size: WebcamStyle: Kiyo ProVerified Purchase

There is an issue with some Kiyo Pro models that won't allow them to update to a new firmware (people who have tried to force an update have bricked their cameras). Razer is doing absolutely nothing about this, other than being a pain to its customers. The camera is /great/, but if you buy one, you are playing a lottery on whether you get a defective product.

14 people found this helpful

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Russ White

Flickers, Very Poor Customer Support

Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2021

Size: WebcamStyle: Kiyo ProVerified Purchase

I purchased this based on my general impression of Razer as a company and the reviews of this camera here on Amazon.

The good--the video quality is good.

The bad-- the camera flickers. It flickers on Zoom, Teams, Bluejeans, and in several local video recording applications. It flickers on all of these on a Windows 10 system and a Macbook Pro. It flickers when plugged directly into these two computers, and it flickers when plugged into a hub. I tried several settings--particularly the refresh rate--to resolve the problem, which did not help. I tried to upgrade to the latest firmware, but it didn't help.

The really bad--I posted on their community forum asking if anyone had seen this problem, and how it might be resolved. Razer's tech support removed my post and opened a ticket--somewhat understandable, but still ... afraid people might start compiling problems with your gear by watching your public forums?

At any rate, tech support initially made some suggestions, which I tried, with screen recording set up, and showed that those suggestions did not work. I sent them the video so they could see what I was trying, and that the camera was still flickering. As I need a working camera, I then disconnected the Kiyo and waited for their response. They asked me to download a special piece of logging software and gather the results. I spent time setting everything back up and sent them the resulting file.

They then responded that they needed the serial number of the camera and proof of purchase--both of which I had provided earlier--and various other information that really doesn't relate to resolving the problem.

They've not spent any time troubleshooting the problem, or asking relevant questions. They could have, for instance, asked me to ship them the camera so they could examine it, and then replaced it. They could have asked for a remote control session on my computer to try different settings, and collecting logs, themselves. They didn't do any of these--they just expected me to spend hours of my time troubleshooting the problem while they provided absolutely no help or information.

I don't ever intend to purchase another Razer product again. It's not the flickering at this point--it's that they are playing games with tech support, rather than actually trying to solve the problem.

9 people found this helpful

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DaveG

Current inventory unable to update firmware to resolve autofocus issues

Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2021

Size: WebcamStyle: Kiyo ProVerified Purchase

First unit from Amazon was received with firmware 1.00 - which has known autofocus issues. Current version as of this writing is 1.03, but the Razer firmware utility is unable to update the device, instead prompting to contact Razer support. Razer confirmed the inability to update some units in the field, and suggested to return it to them for replacement. Instead I returned through Amazon and received a replacement unit. Same problem.

At this point I contacted Amazon to ask them to open an inventory investigation, and returned the unit for a refund.

The autofocus constantly hunts with this firmware version - did not matter what the lighting environment was. It was unsuitable for video calls.

As an aside, Synapse 3 does not run on macOS, nor does the updater, but both did run under VMware Fusion.

9 people found this helpful

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arwrdga

Firmware can't be updated

Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2021

Size: WebcamStyle: Kiyo ProVerified Purchase

After reading all the reviews about bugs, firmware updates that fail, and bad Customer Support, I was prepared for the worst but hoping for the best. Surely they couldn't still be selling defective old stock? Installation wasn't the snap that I anticipated, but eventually got to the dreaded screen that said my device was Version 1.00, the Latest version was 1.05, and "To proceed with the update, please contact Razer Support." So I called and was told that if I had just gotten it, that it was fully up to date and there was no reason to update it! He asked me over and over what issues I was having. I explained that I had been reading reviews about all the problems and wasn't going to waste time on a product that couldn't be updated. I gave him plenty of opportunities to offer to send me a "manually updated model" which is apparently the only solution, but he was stuck in a loop. Apparently they are hoping that no one will wake up until the warranty period expires and then the firmware update problem won't be an issue. (Search for "Kiyo Pro Firmware Update Available - Improved Auto Focus" and you'll see a lot of other frustrated customers.)
I am returning and buying a different brand. Don't waste your time on this one.
----
update: I didn't get a Customer Satisfaction Survey from Razer, but did get an email from Support saying they were closing my "no issue. customer just wanted a firmware update" ticket unless they heard from me. So I wrote back and said there was an issue since the product says it's on 1.0 and the latest version is 1.05 but I need "to contact Razer Support to proceed with the update." If you can't update the device, it's clearly defective. Most companies beg you to update their devices, not put in giant roadblocks. The response to that was that the "firmware updates are intended for an existing issue on the device." But again, they hoped their email "finds me well!"
It found me happily trying out my new Logitech Brio, which updated itself with no trouble at all.

9 people found this helpful

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5 star		70%
4 star		15%
3 star		5%
2 star		3%
1 star		6%

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