Hollyland has launched its first livestreaming camera, the Hollyland VenusLiv. The company says that the new camera is designed for live shopping, online courses, podcasting and other small indoor livestreaming activities.
Main features
The VenusLiv has a Sony 12-megapixel sensor and a five-inch LCD screen. Hollyland says that the screen has CalMAN color calibration, so you can likely trust that the colors displayed on the screen are accurate. The camera also has selectable scene presets for different use scenarios, including green screen and high-key or low-key lighting. In addition, the VenusLiv features the Hollyland Color Correction Magic function, so you can fine-tune colors in your video.
Autofocus
The VenusLiv has a hybrid autofocus capability with phase and contrast technology. Hollyland say that this means the camera will quickly focus on a foreground object. The VenusLiv also runs on the Hollyland HollyOS system, which makes it easy to adjust focus and capture the shot you want. In addition, you can control focusing with the VenusLiv touchscreen or via the focus ring on the lens.
Horizontal and vertical streaming
You can mount the VenusLiv horizontally or vertically, depending on the aspect ratio of your livestream. The camera has a built-in gyroscope, so the user interface rotates automatically. The VenusLiv also has a 6x zoom, achieved by combining a 3x optical and 2x digital zoom. Hollyland doesn’t give focal lengths for the lens but says that it has an 80 degree wide field of view. In addition, the minimum focusing distance is just over 1.6 feet (0.5 meters).
Connections
The VenusLiv has 3.5-mm microphone port, HDMI interface, USB-C 2.0 interface, USB-C 3.1 interface and a network interface. The USB-C 2.0 digital audio interface is also designed to connect to the Hollyland Lark C1 or Lark Max for high-quality audio capture. In addition, the VenusLiv has both fast Wi-Fi or LAN port options, so you can select the connection you need.
RTMP and UVC
The VenusLiv supports RTMP (Real-Time Messaging Protocol) which means you can stream on platforms including YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. RTMP is a communication technology for live video streaming over the internet that delivers low-latency and high-quality video and audio. In addition, the VenusLiv has built-in USB video class (UVC) capability, which means you don’t need a capture card. You can just plug the camera into your computer via USB 3.0 and start streaming.
Stability
Hollyland says that the VenusLiv has an advanced aerospace-grade heat dissipation system. This means that you can use the camera for a long time without worrying that it will overheat. If a camera overheats during an extended livestream, it might shut down to avoid damaging itself. In addition, you can power the VenusLiv with NP-F batteries or via DC for continuous 24/7 livestreaming.
What we think
The VenusLiv looks like a great option for users who want a simple way to achieve high quality livestreams. The ability to switch easily between horizontal and vertical video is also a nice feature. If you have a mirrorless or DSLR camera, then the price does look a little high. But for livestreamers without a camera already and who don’t want to deal with capture cards and other equipment, it is an option worth exploring.
Pricing and availability
The Hollyland VenusLiv livestreaming camera is available now and priced at $999.
