Meeting Owl 5 Pro review –the ultimate conference camera, or has it just gone too far?

The Meeting Owl 5 Pro is a high-end conference camera priced at $2,599 (or £2,399), significantly more expensive than its predecessors, the Meeting Owl 3 and Meeting Owl 4+. This new model offers enhanced features such as 4K UHD video resolution, 8 microphones, and a wider field of view, but the question remains whether it justifies the hefty price tag.

Built with a robust frame and an all-around speaker grille, the Meeting Owl 5 Pro exudes a professional appearance. Its unique feature is the owl-like eyes that appear from behind the speaker grille, accompanied by an owl noise to start up. The device is equipped with mute, volume control, and a customizable button, all visible from either side of the meeting room.

The audio quality is commendable, with the microphone array successfully detecting and amplifying speech in the room, while also reducing background noise. The speaker's volume was less impressive than expected, but it effectively lowered the volume when speech was detected, ensuring clear communication for all participants.

The video performance is notably improved over the Meeting Owl 3, thanks to a more powerful image sensor. The camera's ability to detect the active speaker and zoom in on them ensures a more personal viewing experience compared to multiple separate cameras. However, the video quality, while better than sitting next to a laptop, may not match that of a dedicated PTZ camera, which could handle the dynamic range and tone more effectively.

In conclusion, the Meeting Owl 5 Pro excels in identifying the active speaker and delivering 4K video quality where available. However, its higher price may not be justified for all users, particularly those who require sharper video or superior zoom capabilities.