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AverMedia Dualcam PW313D: 30-second review
The AverMedia Dualcam PW313D is a refreshingly practical take on the modern webcam, designed with a clear purpose: to let users show both their face and their workspace without needing to juggle multiple devices. In an era where remote teaching, product demos, and hybrid work setups are the norm, this dual-lens design feels like a smart evolution rather than a gimmick.
The top-facing camera delivers a solid 1080p image thatâs more than adequate for video calls, online classes, and casual streaming. It won’t rival a mirrorless camera or a high-end webcam in terms of dynamic range or low-light performance, but it holds its own in well-lit environments. The colour reproduction is natural, and the fixed focus keeps things simpleâthough it does mean youâll want to stay within a reasonable distance for best clarity.
The absolute novelty is the second lens, which points downward and captures your desk or tabletop. This is ideal for educators demonstrating equations, artists sketching live, or reviewers showcasing physical products. Itâs limited to 720p and also fixed focus, so while itâs not razor-sharp, itâs perfectly functional for its intended use. The ability to switch between cameras with a single button press is intuitive and fast, and the webcam is instantly recognised by most major video conferencing platforms without any driver installation.
Audio is handled by dual stereo microphones, which are fine for meetings but lack the warmth and clarity streamers or podcasters might demand. Software support is minimalâCamEngine Lite offers basic controls with no advanced features. Therefore, you canât use background blurring or exposure tuning.
Ultimately, the PW313D isnât trying to be a premium webcamâitâs trying to be a useful one. And it succeeds. For under $150 it offers a dual-camera setup that solves a real problem for a specific group of users. If youâre an educator, content creator, or remote worker who needs to show both your face and your hands, this is a tool that earns its keep.
With this unique feature set, this design might be one of the best business webcams around, but only if it addresses your specific needs.
AverMedia Dualcam PW313D: Price and availability
- How much does it cost? ÂŁ140 / $150
- When is it out? Now
- Where can you get it? Widely available from online retailers
AverMedia doesn’t sell its products directly, so the best place to source this item is probably from Amazon or another online retailer.
For US customers, it’s on Amazon.com for $149.99. In the UK, Amazon.co.uk has it for ÂŁ140.32.
For a 1080p webcam, that makes the PW313D one of the more expensive cameras, but due to the dual-camera nature of this device, its cost is somewhat justified.
However, even if you bought 1080p and 720p cameras and set them up independently, you should be able to get them for a lower price than this. What you are paying for here is the convenience of having a single device that performs the job of two cameras.
AverMedia Dualcam PW313D: Specs
|
Feature |
Details |
|---|---|
|
Front Camera |
1080p @ 30fps, fixed focus, 2MP sensor, 71° field of view |
|
Downward Camera |
720p @ 30fps, fixed focus, 2MP sensor, 50° field of view |
|
Microphones |
Dual stereo microphones with noise reduction |
|
Connectivity |
USB 2.0 (Type-A), plug-and-play |
|
Mounting Options |
Universal clip for monitors/laptops, ÂŒ” tripod thread |
|
Privacy Features |
Privacy shutters for both lenses |
|
Software |
CamEngine Lite (Windows only), basic image controls and camera switching |
|
Compatibility |
Windows 10/11, macOS (limited software support), Zoom, Teams, OBS |
|
Dimensions |
94 x 30 x 47 mm |
|
Weight |
Approx. 130g |
|
Cable Length |
2m |
AverMedia Dualcam PW313D: Design
- Dual cameras
- Mini tripod in box
- Dual privacy shutters
The designer of the PW313D didnât try to reinvent the wheelâthey refined it for a dual-purpose ride. The premise was to take the familiar webcam form factor and add a second lens without making the device feel bulky or awkward. Itâs compact, understated, and built for utility.
Despite housing two cameras, the PW313D maintains a sleek profile that fits comfortably on top of a monitor or laptop screen. The downward-facing lens is subtly embedded, avoiding the clunky âaccessoryâ look that plagues some multi-camera setups.
Included with the camera is a beautifully made AVerMedia-branded mini tripod featuring its own ball-socket mount and a standard camera thread connection.
Though that level of adjustment is mainly made superfluous by a hinge mechanism on the camera itself. The hinge mechanism enables the webcam to tilt and pivot, allowing for easy adjustment of the downward-facing lens to direct it toward a desk or document. Itâs not motorised, but the manual adjustment is smooth and holds its position well.
Clearly, some thought went into how this device needed to be flexible enough for quick setup changes during a live session.
However, on the AVerMedia website, the tripod shown is significantly taller than the one included in the box, and without that extra height, any document capture will be massively keystone-adjusted, further reducing quality. Iâm not sure where the vertical extension thatâs in these images came from, because it’s not listed in the accessories available.
The finish of the tripod and camera that stands out most is the quality of the construction and parts. This matte black coating resists fingerprints and seamlessly blends into most workspaces, drawing minimal attention. Both lenses come with physical privacy shutters, a welcome touch for users concerned about security or simply wanting to signal when the camera is off.
AverMedia Dualcam PW313D: Features
The PW313D isnât overloaded with bells and whistles, but what it offers is thoughtfully targeted at users who need clarity, flexibility, and simplicity. Each feature serves a clear purpose, especially for educators, streamers, and remote professionals.
The headline feature is the dual-camera system, which toggles between the front-facing and downward-facing cameras with a single button pressâideal for live demos and presentations.
As this isnât a feature that many other conference cameras have, it requires some adaptation on the user’s part, and it might flummox some of them.
Whatâs less intuitive is how the cameras differ in both quality and aspect ratio, as well as how much they rotate. The right-hand facing camera is the 1080p one, and it has the greatest range of travel, allowing it to be fully rotated to look in the opposite direction. Whereas the 720p left-side camera can rotate much less and offers an inferior image and field of view.
Another potential weakness is the stereo microphones, which do provide decent quality audio for calls and casual streaming, though not studio-grade.
But the rest of the features in the PW313D are strong or at least helpful. For example, there are privacy shutters for both lenses. This provides some peace of mind and physical control over when the camera is active.
Where AVerMedia did do homework was in making this camera as plug-and-play as possible. This enables it to work instantly with Windows, macOS, Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet.
That makes it an easy deployment for most users, and for those wanting to get more from it AverMedia also made it compatible with its Streaming Center software.
AverMedia Dualcam PW313D: Performance
- Only 1080p video on one camera
- 720p on document camera
In real-world use, the PW313D is refreshingly straightforward. The front-facing camera delivers crisp 1080p video with decent colour balance, though low-light performance is below average, which might be an issue in some boardrooms. The downward-facing camera is ideal for displaying documents, sketches, or product demos, but its 720p resolution and fixed focus require good lighting and precise positioning to be worthwhile.
Switching between cameras is seamless, and the device is recognised instantly by conferencing apps. Audio is fine for calls, though streamers will want a dedicated mic. The most significant limitation is that you canât run both cameras at full resolution simultaneouslyâone will always be capped.
That the one with the lower resolution is the document camera makes little sense. Because seeing someone in 720p vs 1080p isn’t much of a loss, whereas at 720p on the document video, it might be difficult to read smaller text.
Ideally, both cameras should be 1080p and interchangeable, but that option might have made this solution more expensive.
AverMedia Dualcam PW313D: Final verdict
The AverMedia Dualcam PW313D is a purpose-built webcam that delivers on its promise: dual perspectives in a single, compact device. Itâs not trying to be the sharpest, smartest, or most feature-rich webcam on the marketâitâs trying to be useful. And in that regard, it succeeds admirably.
Compared to standard single-lens webcams like the Logitech C920 or the Razer Kiyo, the PW313D offers a unique advantage: the ability to capture both your face and your workspace simultaneously without requiring a second camera or an elaborate mounting setup. For educators, product reviewers, and remote professionals who frequently switch between speaking and demonstrating, this dual-lens setup is a genuine time-saver.
That said, itâs not without competition. Devices like the OBSBOT Tiny 2 offer 4K capture, AI-powered tracking and gesture control for roughly the same price, while the Elgato Facecam MK.2 delivers superior image quality and customisation for streamers for less money. But both of those are single-lens solutions focused on face capture. If you want to show your desk, youâll need a second cameraâand thatâs where the PW313D shines.
In the AI-camera space, the Insta360 Link offers a more premium experience with PTZ controls, AI framing, and 4K resolutionâbut it’s more expensive. The PW313D doesnât compete on specs; it competes on simplicity and value. For under $150, it offers two perspectives, decent audio quality, and plug-and-play reliability. Thatâs a compelling proposition for users who need versatility without complexity.
Its limitationsâno simultaneous dual-feed output, low resolutions, and basic softwareâare worth noting, but theyâre also forgivable given the price point and target audience. If youâre a solo educator, a hands-on presenter, or someone whoâs tired of juggling webcams and tripods, the PW313D could be the affordable solution you are looking for.
Itâs not flashy, but itâs functional. And in a market flooded with webcams that all do the same thing slightly differently, the PW313D dares to do something genuinely useful.
Should I buy a AverMedia Dualcam PW313D?
|
Value |
Not expensive, but hardly cheap either |
3/5 |
|
Design |
Unique two camera layout |
4/5 |
|
Features |
Presenter and documents shown in one |
4/5 |
|
Performance |
Poor in low light conditions, not 4K |
3.5/5 |
|
Overalls |
An interesting but scenario dependent design |
4/5 |
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
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