FaceTime cameras: Noise problem with some Macs running Sequoia

Apple’s webcam, FaceTime HD or (at higher resolutions) also known as Center Stage Camera, built into the iMac, Studio Display, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air, doesn’t have a particularly good reputation. Lighting, resolution and color reproduction are considered only semi-good, to put it politely. This is even more annoying when software errors crop up, as is now apparently the case with some Mac models that run macOS 15.1, the latest version of the current Sequoia operating system.

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more pixelated than usual

Various users on the forums, on apple page And Youtube video Complaints are that since the update, darker areas appear noisy and pixelated – even more noisy and pixelated than we already know. As iFun.de writes, it sounds especially MacBook Pro models with M1 SoC To be impressed, that is, those who are still equipped with the FaceTime HD camera.

More modern center stage camera models, like those installed in the new MacBook Pro M4, which just went on sale, are apparently less affected. In a direct comparison between built-in webcams and other devices – via continuity camera function Used iPhone (“integration camera”) – the difference is big. So it’s not lighting. The distinctive softness of the camera’s image is underlined by the strong fleck in the background.

FaceTime cameras: Noise problem with some Macs running Sequoia

The bug has been fixed with the beta

A month ago a YouTuber wrote, “macOS 15.1 update destroyed my MacBook M1 camera.” He also assumed that the bug Especially M1 devices Respect. It’s unclear what exactly Apple changed – the problem has not been reported yet in macOS 15(.0.1). Since various security vulnerabilities have been patched in macOS 15.1, you’ll need to consider whether you should stick with the older version.

There is at least good news: macOS 15.2, which will likely be released next Monday, should fix the bug. At least it no longer appears in the current beta, the picture is the same as before. Nevertheless, it is generally recommended to consider switching to an iPhone as a Mac webcam – for example with the help of a suitable adapter. Whether with or without a center stage camera, the quality is much better.

(B.Sc.)