Video conferencing is extremely important nowadays as we stay connected while being productive. To achieve this, we need an efficient and effective webcam. That is what we will discuss in our Jabra Panacast 20 Review.
The Panacast 20 is the next-generation portable webcam that is intelligent and secure. Jabra integrates advanced onboard AI into the product. It delivers an optimal feature set to take your videos to the next level.
Your camera knows what you need when needed, but is it as good as it claims? We put it to the test for this Jabra Panacast 20 Review and used it for three weeks. During the tests, we saw how it performs, its features work, and whether these were worth it.
Before we look deeper into the product, let us check its packaging and what other contents Jabra included.
Jabra Panacast 20 Packaging
The webcam shipped in time for our Jabra Panacast 20 Review. It arrived in a tiny cardboard box sporting a simple grey theme. The front showcases an image of the product, its name, and the Jabra branding.
Some features are listed on the box to highlight its best offerings, while extra details are at the back. Here are the items you will find inside the package:
- The Panacast 20
- A Carrying Case
- One USB-C to A Cable 1.5m
Jabra Panacast 20 Review – Design and Functionality
Our Jabra Panacast 20 Review will also check its design and functions before looking into its features. The webcam may appear lightweight, but at 136g, it is heavier than expected. However, the extra weight gives it a more solid and quality feel.
One white LED light informs you when the Panacast 20 is active. It also has a physical privacy shutter button when you do not want to be recorded.
Key Features of the Jabra Panacast 20
What features make the product click? Are they worth the purchase?
We made a quick list of what the webcam offers here in our Jabra Panacast 20 Review. Are these enough to make you want to get one for yourself? Let us find out.
Picture Perfection No Matter Where You Work
Video calls are now a part of our daily lives, but poor image quality wrecks the entire experience. This webcam has advanced processors, an onboard AI, plus a 13mp camera for real-time 4K, ultra-HD image. The images it produces are crystal-clear without any latency.
Close-up Ready Moments
There are many differences during important video calls when you are seen clearly. So, the Intelligent Zoom feature of this webcam uses AI to scan and adjust images.
Doing so guarantees an immersive, natural video collaboration without staying on the spot. The Panacast 20 offers a meeting experience that is better and completely reinvented.
Intelligent Lighting
Today, professionals often need to take video calls regardless of where they are. PanaCast 20 uses AI-based Intelligent Lighting, which enhances your video quality. It works by adjusting your image based on its analysis of your environment.
Two Streams for Better Presentations
PanaCast 20 makes your presentations more engaging with Picture-in-Picture mode. It allows you to share a close-up of your primary image as you continue to present in a smaller window. This feature works using onboard Edge processing, which puts two simultaneously running video streams in one.
Collaborate Confidently, Safely, and Securely
With PanaCast 20, you can enjoy optimal safety when hybrid working. It reduces the risks of cyber attacks by blurring or blocking your background with a solid colour using Edge AI. This technology processes image alterations directly on the device and ensures no one sees, saves, or stores your data.
Integrated Privacy Cover
You can never be camera-ready 24/7, and that is fine. PanaCast 20 has a built-in privacy cover that you can quickly slide across your camera lens. And once you are ready, all you have to do is slide it back.
Work Anywhere with the Portable Premium Webcam
Flexible working means you can join meetings from anywhere. PanaCast 20 has a compact and portable design that you can place on top of any screen.
You can integrate it or use the foldable mounting clip. It has a protective carry case to keep it safe as you travel.
Plug-and-Play
PanaCast 20 instantly connects to your computer. You are ready to collaborate once you plug it in using the USB-C cable.
It is All UC
Writing our Jabra Panacast 20 Review gave us insights on the webcam being certified with the best. These are Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet. It also works with Chromebook and is compatible with all the current UC platforms for a smooth experience.
This setup will allow you to focus on your meetings rather than your tech.
Engineered for the Upcoming Years
PanaCast 20 is a future-proof camera that will receive regular software updates to optimise it for the best user experience.
Pair it Up with Jabra!
After figuring out the video part, what about the audio? From the top-leading Evolve series to the perfect-sounding audio of the Speak Series, choose the best for your needs.
Jabra has the perfect audio partner for the Panacast 20, and go for however you prefer to work.
Specifications
- Resolution: 4K, 3840 x 2160
- Camera Resolution: 13 megapixels
- Image Sensor: 1/3.2 inches
Zoom and Field of View
- Resolution: 720p
- Digital Zoom: up to 3x lossless
- Horizontal: 90°
- Vertical: 75°, Diagonal: 117°
- Focal length: 2.26mm
- Aperture: 2.25
- Microphone Type: MEMS
- Number of Microphones: 3
- Microphone Sensitivity and Frequency Range: -37dBFS | 100Hz – 8000Hz
- System Requirements: Compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8.1 (64-bit and 32-bit), macOS 10.15 and later, including macOS 11.x
- Connectivity: USB-C
- Supported USB Versions: USB 3.0, USB 2.0
- Weight: 136g
- Dimensions: 44mm x 25mm x 80mm (WxHxD)
- Warranty: 2 years
Hands-on with the Jabra Panacast 20
Our Jabra Panacast 20 Review will now focus on the performance of this webcam. We tested it for a week to share our hands-on experience, but let us first discuss its software.
Jabra Direct Software
Since this is a plug-and-play product, you can readily link it to your PC. From there, start your video conference, and enjoy the experience.
You can access some advanced features while keeping the Pancast 20 updated with the current firmware. To do these, we suggest downloading Jabra Direct, which is available for Windows and macOS.
After launching the software, you will find two options for the webcam: the camera controller or settings.
The camera controller opens in another window with the camera preview. It toggles for the intelligent zoom and picture-in-picture below its preview. Underneath are manual directional arrows for shifting the camera and zoom buttons for manual zooming.
Additionally, you can save up to two favourite presets.
The base of the controller window has image quality options. Its toggles and sliders include the following:
- Brightness
- Contrast
- Video HDR
- Saturation
- Sharpness
- Manual white balance
- Automatic white balance
Toggling Intelligent Zoom zooms the camera that centres your image all 24/7. You can check the functionality by going to the left/right. It allows the camera to follow a re-centre you.
The picture-in-picture option shows your image in a different window, specifically the bottom right corner. You can also manually adjust the primary view to focus on another spot.
This feature is ideal for whiteboard discussions or other video calls with one or more people/objects to show in the call. The window with your face also uses intelligent zoom while picture-in-picture is enabled.
It is worth noting that you cannot toggle these advanced options simultaneously. Plus. Firmware updates are manageable via settings in Jabra Direct.
Performance
Looking at its performance in our Jabra Panacast 20 Review, we observed improved colours and clarity. We saw this when shifting from our default camera to the Panacast 20.
People we spoke to claimed we looked better with its optimised lighting and video quality. The webcam uses its built-in AI to offer intelligent lighting optimisations, and it does reflect during calls.
As expected from a 4k resolution webcam, the images produced were excellent. The 13mp camera creates crystal-clear video that is sharp and high-quality.
However, the audio picked up by its three integrated microphones could have been better. However, these were still perfectly satisfactory.
The intelligent lighting optimisation was perfect as it lightens up dull scenes with the help of AI processing. This feature works perfectly and can help you when the lighting is incorrect.
Its picture-in-picture mode was handy for showing things in hand – these are features you cannot find in cheaper webcams.
The software is well-put-together, and all its functions are user-friendly and easy to find. But simultaneously, the Panacast 20 works adequately out of the box.
That means tweaking the software is optional if you dislike fiddling with menus. Also, you can manually adjust settings like contrast, brightness, saturation, white balance, and sharpness.
Jabra Panacast 20 Review Summary
PanaCast 20 is an excellent webcam that meets the needs of hybrid workers today, from hardware to software. Its durable and compact build makes it safe to carry when travelling. Plus, Jabra included a carry case to keep it safe when you take it to different places.
Aside from the premium-quality hardware, this feature-rich webcam makes it a superior product. Its AI technologies effectively enhance video quality, while innovative technologies ensure safety and security.
Overall, we highly recommend this product to anyone wanting a high-quality webcam and willing to pay its premium cost. Learn more about the PanaCast 20 by visiting the official Jabra product page.
