The OBSBOT Tail 2 is the one of the best camera additions to any media business
The Tail 2 is an exciting, portable, versatile, high quality AI-powered PTZR* camera that does it all. From live-streaming to standard 4k video recording and from AI tracking to powerful zoom features all with dual ISO, great low light video and multiple connectivity/customisations!
*PTZR = Pan-Tilt-Zoom-Rotate (record in horizontal 16:9 and vertical 9:16)
Because of the nature of the OBSBOT Tail 2, I decided to do a fairly in-depth review. There are plenty of overview videos out there but I feel that a more detailed approach is needed. As a newbie to live-streaming cameras myself, I found there is a fairly steep learning curve so I hope you find this useful.
In a Nutshell
A summary of why I think this is the PTZ(R) camera to beat
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
To sum things up quickly for those TL;DR peeps, this camera is incredible. Whether live-streaming, shooting product reviews, interviews, vlogging or travel memoirs, there is something for everyone here. Portable, solid, high quality and fun!
In order to describe and run through what the OBSBOT Tail 2 camera can do, it is better to go through each menu item one by one so that not only will you see what this amazing camera is capable of, you will also understand a little better how to use it should you decide to buy one. And you should IMO : )
Initial Review Notes:
Starting The OBSBOT Tail 2:
- 1Click to Download the OBSBOT Start App to your Smartphone
- 2To initiate the Tail 2 you need Wi-Fi and Bluetooth activated to operate the App on your Smartphone/tablet
- 3Open Start App - Select Tail 2_xxxxxx (find your number) in your Smartphone's Wi-Fi - Once “connected without internet” – Press POWER ON button in the Smart App - It will say “Camera is being turned on” - Works if OBSBOT Tail 2 is in “sleep” mode - Hit “Camera”- Screen should open with menu and live feed
- 4Separate Audio Review here: OBSBOT Tail 2 Audio Test
What is PTZR?
PTZR stands for Pan, Tilt, Zoom and Rotate. The OBSBOT Tail 2 is one of the first live-streaming cameras to offer that "R"...rotate! This means you can set up the Tail 2 to record in the social media friendly 9:16 (portrait oriented) orientation without rotating the camera. The lens/camera combo is insane!
Right. Here we go! The OBSBOT Tail 2 Menu...
Menu Items + What Each Does
When the screen appears after switching on, you have four icons down the left of the screen, and five along the bottom with the record button to the bottom left and the zoom function above that.
Camera Rotation
Hit this icon to switch the camera from horizontal to portrait mode. Great if you want to record in 9:16 instead of 16:9 aspect ration for social media.
AI Tracking Modes
When you hit this, you have 7 options for tracking.
Gimbal and View
Click this...
...and use these to control camera...
Cancel Tracking/Recentre Gimbal
Click the button below to cancel all tracking and to recentre the gimbal...
Set Camera Position (x3)
You have 3 positions available to set. To set position one, move the camera gimbal to point at what you want to shoot here. This could be goal one at a football match or the pianist in a band. Once in position, hit the P+ button.
This will set position one.
A faded circle with P1 inside will show this position on your screen. Do the same for positions two and three. You now have three positions that you can automatically move to by simply hitting P1, P2 or P3 at the bottom of your screen. Just like a movie director!
If you want to cancel or change the position of P1, P2 or P3, tap and hold either position and you will have the option to delete or update the position (see image below). If updating, make sure you move P1. P2 or P3 to the new position before updating.
Record Button & Live Streaming the OBSBOT Tail 2
As soon as you hit the record button, the OBSBOT Tail 2 will start recording to the microSD card. If you press and hold the record button, you are presented with new options.
Media Settings (Cog)
Recording/Streaming Options
1.0x - 12x Zoom Button
Press and hold this to activate the zoom function. This will allow you to zoom in and out by either turning the wheel or using the two arrows (zoom in and out).
ICONS on the Left of the Screen
The first of the icons on the left is the home button.
Home
This will disconnect your camera from the app. The second icon on the left is the main camera menu.
Camera Menu
Once you hit the second icon above (left/right lines), you activate the camera menu:
- 1A/M: Change from Auto Exposure to Manual (to control ISO, Shutter Speed and EV)
- 2AF: Choose AF-S, AF-C or MF
- 3Hz: Change Hz from 50hz to 60hz (only works in Auto Exposure mode)
- 4Flip: Flip View Horizontally
- 5Grid: Rule of Thirds Grid
- 6HDR
- 7AE Lock (only works in Auto Exposure mode)
- 8AF: Choose Global Focus (whatever is centre screen?), Face Focus (keeps face in focus regardless of foreground) or Foreground Focus (good for product reviews)
- 9Style: Choose from Standard, Outdoor, Pastel, Custom (where you can change sharpness, contrast, saturation, hue and brightness)
- 10AWB: Auto White Balance - Tap to set white balance manually
- 11Zoom 1.0x - 12x (1-5x Optical, 10 + 12x Digital): Press and hold this to activate the zoom function. This will allow you to zoom in and out by either turning the wheel or using the two arrows (zoom in and out).
- 12Tap screen once to focus on that area tapped whether in auto or manual exposure. Works in all focus modes but if you are in face mode, it will still work but when you move the item that was focused on by tapping the screen, OBSBOT Tail 2 will return focus to the face. If in auto exposure when you tap the screen, you can also drag the sun icon to over or underexpose the image.
- 13Tap and hold on the screen. This will activate manual manoeuvre of the camera in both pan and tilt.
The third icon on the left is the album menu
Album Menu
Click the third menu item to the left, the play button, and you come to the menu where all your recorded media is filed...
This is where you access your recorded media in date order. View by All, Videos, Photos or Favourites.
Click any image to watch or view that media.
Settings Menu (three dots in the bottom left
Clicking the three dots opens up a new menu with:
- 1General Info - Battery level remaining, wi-Fi connection and camera on/off button
- 2Preset Mode – Here you can set one preset mode for your favourite or most used parameters. These are image (mirror, HDR, AE, exposure mode, EV, white balance, anti-flicker, style), AI (human tracking, tracking mode, tracking speed, auto-zoom, Only Me)
- 3AI - Turn on and off gesture controls (select target, record and zoom from 1-12), tracking settings (Pan Axis Lock, Tilt Axis Lock)
- 4Audio – Audio Settings (Linear Input, MIC Input)
- 5Camera – Auto Focus (Global Focus, Face Focus, Foreground Focus), Face Auto Exposure (On/Off), ISO Upper and Lower Limits (100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400)
- 6Output – UVC Mode (on/off), NDI Activate, RTSP Mode (on/off), SRT Mode (supported only with Wi-Fi or wired connections), media settings, 3G-SDI Output (Level A, Level B)
- 7Gimbal – Roll Axis Fine Adjustment (-10/+10 degrees in 0.2 degree increments)
- 8General Settings – Tail 2 Settings, Live Broadcast Settings, SD Card (remaining/format), Preset Position Switching Speed, Video Segmentation (4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB), Control Protocol, Reset All Connections, Restore Factory Settings, Feedback, About Device
Hand Gestures with the OBSBOT Tail 2
This needs its own paragraph because it is so cool! You can operate the OBSBOT Tail 2 via hand gestures whether that is to START/STOP tracking target, START/STOP recording and ZOOM IN/ZOOM OUT.
That's the end of the menu system. See below for my final thoughts on everything else.
OBSBOT Tail 2 Audio
I have done a separate video for the Tail 2 audio. Suffice to say, there is no mic built into the OBSBOT Tail 2 so you will will need to add your own if you want to sync audio with other cameras.
It is also worth noting that the mic you put into either the dedicated 3.5mm mic input or the 3.5mm linear line-in slot, will need to be a powered mic as the Tail 2 does not supply power to these inputs.
With that said, I found that the audio quality from most mics plugged into the Tail 2 sounded superb so no complaints there.
OBSBOT Tail 2 PTZR Camera Review Summary
The OBSBOT Tail 2 camera is a pleasure and a lot of fun to use. The fact that it is also a highly practical and useful tool for any creative is a bonus. Shooting in portrait mode via the rotating internal camera/lens set up is another huge bonus!
Whether you are out and about shooting stock, family, travel video or live-streaming gigs, funerals, weddings etc, for YouTube or other social media outlets, the OBSBOT Tail 2 is a valuable asset in any kit bag.
If you are coming from a DSLR, Mirrorless, Handycam or even professional video camera, there is a bit of a learning curve to find your way around the menu and streaming options. However, once you've nailed it, you will no doubt want to buy two or three more of these beauties!