Compare cameras without confusing the results
Start with the front camera for a face-on view, then prefer the rear camera and inspect a well-lit object. “Prefer” is a request: a browser may use another available camera. Read the active device label and facing mode if exposed. Selecting a named device requests that exact browser-visible input.
The dimensions are the video delivered to this page, not the sensor's advertised megapixels. A 1280 × 720 feed can come from a much higher-resolution sensor. The aspect ratio is width divided by height; the preview fits the full frame rather than cropping it to fill a box. The snapshot is not mirrored.
Check a moving scene, then a still one
- Move a hand slowly across the view. Frame callbacks show that video frames are being presented, but cannot prove the scene itself is changing or the sensor is healthy.
- Hold the camera steady and inspect a textured object at a comfortable focus distance. Try brighter, even light before treating grain or blur as a defect.
- Take a snapshot. The tool releases the camera and lets you inspect the full delivered frame. Retake opens a new stream with the selected camera preference.
If capture fails
- Access denied: check the site's camera permission and the browser app's OS permission. Browser permissions may remain saved after you leave.
- Camera unavailable or busy: close other capture apps, uncover a physical privacy shutter and reconnect USB webcams. Try the default input if a selected device disappeared.
- Black preview with delivered frames: inspect the lens cover and lighting. A frame counter cannot distinguish an obscured lens from a genuinely dark scene.
- Frozen or delayed video: keep this tab visible, close resource-heavy apps and test another camera. Compare with the native camera app to separate browser behavior from a problem that occurs everywhere.
For a quick desk setup and framing check use the webcam preview and snapshot tool. For a call, also test microphone input and recording. A used-phone inspection should test native camera modes too.
What stays outside this test
Browsers do not reliably expose every lens, optical stabilization, RAW modes or focus hardware. Reported frame rate is a stream setting; observed frame callbacks reflect browser presentation. Where frame callbacks are unavailable, advancing playback time is only a weaker activity indicator. Neither certifies capture performance.
HTTPS, permission and a compatible capture API are required. Snapshots stay in page memory; only result metrics and your assessment are saved locally. Read the privacy policy for the separate analytics and advertising services.