Jabra Panacast 20 Review
Compact and portable, the Jabra Panacast 20 offers sharp 4K video and smart features for a seamless work setup.
Looking for a portable webcam with great video quality that’s easy to set up and use? The Jabra Panacast 20 might be what you need.
In this review, I’ll dive into what comes in the box, the camera’s design and features, and how it performs in real-world use. I’ve been using it as my main work camera and even replaced my Sony A5100 mirrorless camera with it for everyday use.
Let’s take a closer look at why the Jabra Panacast 20 stands out and whether it could be the right fit for your setup.
What’s in the Box
It’s quite a packed box full of goodies:
- The Jabra Panacast 20 camera
- USB-C cable (both ends)
- Carry pouch
Design and Features
The Jabra Panacast 20 is a compact, portable webcam designed for both Mac and Windows users.
It’s small in size (44 x 25 x 80mm, 136g), making it one of the tiniest webcams out there.
It comes with a handy travel case that neatly fits the camera and its USB-C cable, both ends are USB-C.
Setting it up is straightforward—just connect it to your computer using the USB-C port on the back.
The Jabra Panacast 20 is designed to perch securely on top of your monitor with its fold-out foot, which I’ve used both on an external monitor and also on my laptop monitor without issue.
It also has a standard screw mount underneath if you’d rather attach it to a tripod.
One of the features I like is that privacy has been well-considered here, with an integrated shutter you can easily control using a slider just below the lens.
This webcam is equipped with three built-in MEMS microphones that help minimise echoes and block out background noise, ensuring clear audio wherever you’re working from.
Although the camera is plug-and-play, you’ll get more out of it by installing the Jabra Direct software. This gives you control over the video settings.
The camera has a 4K sensor, but you’ll typically only get Full HD during video calls since that’s the cap for most platforms. Still, the higher resolution is beneficial because it enhances image quality when downscaled and allows for smooth digital zooming without losing detail.
Speaking of zoom, you have two main options. You can manually adjust the zoom and pan with on-screen controls, choosing the field of view that suits you—from a wide 90-degree angle to a more zoomed-in focus. You can even save two custom presets for quick access, which is useful if like me you have an adjustable desk and want to have a preset for when you are sitting and one for one you are standing.
Alternatively, the Intelligent Zoom feature automatically tracks and zooms in on you, keeping you centred in the frame as you move around.
Performance
I've been using the Jabra Panacast 20 as my main work camera, and the auto-tracking feature has mostly done a good job of finding me and zooming in. However, it can get a bit jerky and frantic if I’m moving around, like when I’m laughing. There have also been a few times when it zoomed in too close, giving my colleagues an uncomfortably up-close view.
The image quality is impressive, with good sharpness and clarity. It handles tricky lighting well, too. Even when sunlight streams in through my office window, the camera balances the exposure so I don’t look too dark or washed out.
The microphone is impressive however, I haven’t used it as the default option. Instead my microphone/speaker setup has been the Jabra Speak2 75 with the camera.
Final Thoughts
The Jabra Panacast 20 offers excellent microphones and crisp video thanks to its 4K sensor, all in a compact, portable design that’s easy to take anywhere. While the auto-tracking feature can be a bit jerky and distracting at times, the overall convenience and quality make up for it. I was even impressed enough to switch from using my Sony A5100 24.3 MP mirrorless camera to this Jabra webcam for my everyday needs.