Best Camera App for Windows 11: Free Webcam Software Option in 2024

A Windows 11 camera app is an app for your PC that lets you use the camera connected to your PC. This app works best for cameras that are built-in to your computer. Using this app, you can take photos, make videos, and video chat with your friends and family. People like office workers, students, teachers, social media influencers, or content creators may use the windows 11 camera app to create videos for different reasons that they can share with others.

In the following context, you will find out everything about windows 11 camera app, its functions, and how to use this app. There is also the best alternative for Windows 11 camera app recording if it is not working for you.

What is Windows 11 Camera App & Its Hardware Demands

The Windows 11 camera app offers many usable features and it has certain hardware demands that your system has to meet in order for this video recorder to work properly. This article will discuss both one by one.

The features that Windows 11 camera app offers.

• Record videos with a webcam. If you have a webcam attached to your system, you can take control of it using the camera app. You can record videos of good quality and then save the recorded videos to your system for further processing. 
• Capture photos and panoramas. Capturing photos is simple enough and camera app supports that. It can also help you take panorama shots which is kind of tricky but Windows 11 camera app makes it a little bit easier.
• Capture videos and photos via rear camera. The camera app also works with the rear camera of your device. You can capture videos as well as photos from rear camera using the camera app.
• Time-lapse and timer. With the Windows 11 camera app, you also get different controls such as time-lapse and timer for videos and photos. Set the timer and click on the capture button and the camera app will start taking pictures at the set time.

Hardware Demands for Windows 11 Camera App  

Features of Windows 11 camera app helps you know it better, and the hardware requirements alert you to if your computer is capable to support this app.

1. Compatible 64-bit processor with 2 or more cores

2. At least 4GB RAM

3. 64GB storage or more

4. Graphics card compatible with DorectX 12 or later versions.

How to Use Windows 11 Camera App to Capture Videos and Photos

Walk through the full guide of how to use Windows 11 camera app.

Step 1: Enable the camera. Click on the “Start” button and then click on camera to launch the camera app.

Step 2: Select the “Photo” or “Video” option. Click on the same option again to take a photo or start recording a video. If you are recording a video, stop the recording when you are done by clicking on the same button again.

Step 3: To find the photos or videos you have captured, go to “Photos” from the “Start” and select the collection you want to see.

How to Use Windows 11 Camera App via the External Camera

The above is about using Windows 11 camera app with an insert camera. If your system has more than one cameras for example, a front facing camera and a rear facing camera, then follow these steps to use the other camera.

Step 1: Open the camera app from the start.

Step 2: After the camera app launches, click on the camera button and then select the camera that you want to use.

Step 3. Now, click on the photo or video button to start taking photos or videos with it.

The Pros and Cons of Windows 11 Camera App Recording

Though you are clear about the usage of Windows 11 camera app, it deserved to use or not is unsure. Check the pros and cons to help make a decision.

Pros:

• Automatically backup photos to OneDrive.
• Crop and rotate the photos.
• Capture videos and photos with an external camera.
• Easily record time-lapse videos.
• Set timer to capture photos

Cons:

• Strict requirements for cameras.
• Too less adjustable settings.
• Basic functions that are only suitable for simple recordings
• Too few format options for pictures and videos
• Windows 11 camera app not recording sound problems

Best Alternative for Windows 11 Camera App Recording

As it is clear from the above depiction of the Windows 11 camera app, although it is useful and provides some good features, it also lacks certain controls and features. It has certain requirements and without meeting them, you cannot use the app. Also, while recording, people have experienced problems with the camera app not recoding sound. So, it is best to use an alternative screen recorder app that offers extensive features and is more reliable than the camera app.

Windows 11 Camera App Alternative for PC - iTop Screen Recorder

iTop Screen Recorder is a professional tool that you can use instead of the Windows 11 camera app. It provides better features and it is flexible in its working. You can use it any way you want. iTop Screen Recorder can be used to record videos, capture screenshots, compress video files to any format, and edit the videos you have recorded instantly.

The features of Windows 11 camera app’s best alternative.

• Record 1080p Videos. iTop Screen Recorder supports high quality video recording. You can record Facebook live or camera videos of high quality. The quality of the video ranges from 1080p to 4k and you can use any depending on your needs.
• Record Video with a Webcam. If you enable the camera, the app will automatically detect it and will allow you to record videos with webcam when recording classes, gameplay, presentations, meetings, and etc. 
• Record Speaker and Mic Audio. iTop Screen Recorder makes it easy for you to record audio from different sources. You can also switch between different channels with just a single click. For example, you can record the audio coming from both the system speaker as well as the mic or you can choose one and mute the other.
• Capture Screenshots with Flexible Area. In addition to being able to record YouTube video, you can also take flexible screenshots. You can take a screenshot of the whole screen or select any part of the screen. You can also choose a pre-set capture size and take screenshots with that. iTop Screen Recorder also offers a scrolling screenshot feature which is useful if you want to take a screenshot of more than one screen.
• Video Editor. iTop Screen Recorder comes with a built-in video editor that offers advanced features such as cutting, trimming, adding new timelines, transformations, and adding filters and effects. Using this editor, you can make videos for your TikTok account, YouTube channel, or edit recorded lectures. 
• Video Compressor. With iTop’s video compressor, you can reduce the size of the videos. If you have a video that is way too large, you can use the compressor to reduce the file size. You can save the compressed file in any format of your choice. So, not only can you record zoom without permission, you can also compress the recorded file if it is way too big.
• Export Videos in Multiple Playable Formats. As has already been mentioned, you can save the recorded and edited video in any format of your choice. While exporting the video from iTop Screen Recorder to your system, you can choose mp4, mkv, avi, or any other playable video format and it will be saved in that format instantly. 

How to Capture Videos via iTop Screen Recorder

Step 1: Download and install iTop Screen Recorder

Download it below and install it on your computer without an account to sign up.

Step 2: Configure your settings

To configure audio and video settings, click on the settings from the main interface. Now you can choose an audio source and a video format or FPS.

Step 3. Start recording

Select a recording mode i.e. full screen, custom area to record part of screen, or webcam and start recording your video. After you are done recording, you can edit the recorded video with the built-in video editor. You can also compress the video by click on the compress button from the main interface and then choosing the video file and the desired output format.

How to Capture Screenshots via iTop Screen Recorder

Except for screen recording, iTop Screen Recorder also supports capturing screenshots.

Step 1: Open iTop Screen Recorder on your computer.

Step 2. From the main interface, select screenshot and then configure settings by selecting the screenshot area. 

Step 3. Click on the capture button to take a screenshot or record screen windows 10 or 11 in the screenshot mode and then save it to your device.

The Bottom Line

Windows 11 camera app is a built-in app in Windows 11 that you can use to record videos and take photos. The problem with this app is it has high system requirements and comes with too few features as discussed above. So, users who want to have flexible screen recording and capturing capabilities should look for an alternative. iTop Screen Recorder is the best alternative to windows 11 camera app as it has everything that the latter lacks. It lets you record your screen, take screenshots, record Spotify, compress files, edit videos, and a lot more. So, download and install iTop Screen Recorder on your computer now.