What’s the difference between the Elgato Cam Link 4K and Pro?

The Cam Link Pro is a new camera capture card from Elgato. So, how does it stack up against the Cam Link 4K?

You can find out in this comparison guide between the two camera capture devices.

Quick Summary

When compared to the Elgato Cam Link 4K, the Elgato Cam Link Pro comes with four HDMI ports as opposed to just one. The Pro version is also the only one of the two to include built-in Stream Deck support in addition to featuring Multiview, Multi App and Multi Inputs. Unlike the Cam Link 4K, the Cam Link Pro can capture 720p and 1440p as well.

To use the Elgato Cam Link Pro, you will need to use a compatible PCIe slot. On the other hand, the Elgato Cam Link 4K uses USB 3.0, which means that it is supported by more computers and laptops. The 4K version is also the only one of the two that supports Macs.

Overall, we recommend getting the Elgato Cam Link Pro if you want to take advantage of being able to capture multiple video feeds and broadcast using multiple split-screen layouts.

On the other hand, the Elgato Cam Link 4K is the more affordable option if you want to simply capture a single video feed using a camera.

Cam Link 4K vs. Cam Link Pro Comparison Chart

You can take a look at Seeking Tech’s comparison table for the two camera capture cards below.

Elgato Cam Link 4KElgato Cam Link Pro
InterfaceUSB 3.0PCIe
HDMI Inputs1x Unencrypted HDMI4x Unencrypted HDMI
Supported Resolutions and FPS3840 x 2160p at 30 frames per second

1920 x 1080p at 60 frames per second

1920 x 1080i at 60 frames per second

720 x 576p at 50 frames per second

720 x 480p at 60 frames per second
3840 x 2160p at 30 frames per second

2560 x 1440p at 60 frames per second

1920 x 1080p at 60 frames per second

1920 x 1080p at 30 frames per second

1920 x 1080i at 60 frames per second

1280 x 720p at 60 frames per second

720 x 576p at 50 frames per second

720 x 480p at 60 frames per second
Compatible Blackmagic Design CameraBlackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4KBlackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
Compatible Canon CamerasCanon EOS 1D X Mark II

Canon EOS 1D X Mark III

Canon EOS 5D Mark III (Partially Compatible)

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

Canon EOS 650D (Partially Compatible)

Canon EOS 77D

Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Canon EOS 80D

Canon EOS 90D

Canon EOS M200

Canon EOS M50 (Partially Compatible)

Canon EOS M6

Canon EOS R

Canon EOS Rebel SL2

Canon EOS Rebel SL3

Canon EOS Rebel T6i

Canon EOS Rebel T7i

Canon EOS Rebel T8i

Canon EOS RP

Canon G5 X Mark II

Canon G7 X Mark III

Canon Legria HF R806

Canon VIXIA HF G30

Canon VIXIA HF G40

Canon VIXIA HF R700

Canon VIXIA HF R800

Canon XA10
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II

Canon EOS 1D X Mark III

Canon EOS 5D Mark III (Partially Compatible)

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

Canon EOS 650D (Partially Compatible)

Canon EOS 77D

Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Canon EOS 80D

Canon EOS 90D

Canon EOS M200

Canon EOS M50 (Partially Compatible)

Canon EOS M6

Canon EOS R

Canon EOS Rebel SL2

Canon EOS Rebel SL3

Canon EOS Rebel T6i

Canon EOS Rebel T7i

Canon EOS Rebel T8i

Canon EOS RP

Canon G5 X Mark II

Canon G7 X Mark III

Canon Legria HF R806

Canon VIXIA HF G30

Canon VIXIA HF G40

Canon VIXIA HF R700

Canon VIXIA HF R800

Canon XA10
Compatible Fujifilm CamerasFujifilm XF10

Fujifilm GFX 100

Fujifilm GFX 50R

Fujifilm GFX 50S

Fujifilm X100F

Fujifilm X-A5

Fujifilm X-E3

Fujifilm X-H1

Fujifilm X-T100

Fujifilm X-T2

Fujifilm X-T20

Fujifilm X-T200

Fujifilm X-T3

Fujifilm X-T30

Fujifilm X-T4
Fujifilm XF10

Fujifilm GFX 100

Fujifilm GFX 50R

Fujifilm GFX 50S

Fujifilm X100F

Fujifilm X-A5

Fujifilm X-E3

Fujifilm X-H1

Fujifilm X-T100

Fujifilm X-T2

Fujifilm X-T20

Fujifilm X-T200

Fujifilm X-T3

Fujifilm X-T30

Fujifilm X-T4
Compatible GoPro CamerasGoPro HERO3+ Silver

GoPro HERO3 White

GoPro HERO4 Black

GoPro HERO5 Black

GoPro HERO6 Black

GoPro HERO7 Black

GoPro HERO8 Black
GoPro HERO3+ Silver

GoPro HERO3 White

GoPro HERO4 Black

GoPro HERO5 Black

GoPro HERO6 Black

GoPro HERO7 Black

GoPro HERO8 Black
Compatible Nikon CamerasNikon D3300 (Partially Compatible)

Nikon D5100 (Partially Compatible)

Nikon D5300 (Partially Compatible)

Nikon D750 (Partially Compatible)

Nikon D850

Nikon Z 50
Nikon D3300 (Partially Compatible)

Nikon D5100 (Partially Compatible)

Nikon D5300 (Partially Compatible)

Nikon D750 (Partially Compatible)

Nikon D850

Nikon Z 50
Compatible Panasonic CamerasPanasonic HC-V770

Panasonic Lumix BGH1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80

Panasonic Lumix G100

Panasonic Lumix G85

Panasonic Lumix G9

Panasonic Lumix G95

Panasonic Lumix GH5

Panasonic Lumix GX8

Panasonic Lumix GX9

Panasonic Lumix S1

Panasonic Lumix S1H

Panasonic Lumix S1R

Panasonic Lumix S5

Panasonic V180

Panasonic V800

Panasonic VX1

Panasonic VXF1

Panasonic W585

Panasonic WXF1

Panasonic X1500/X2000
Panasonic HC-V770

Panasonic Lumix BGH1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80

Panasonic Lumix G100

Panasonic Lumix G85

Panasonic Lumix G9

Panasonic Lumix G95

Panasonic Lumix GH5

Panasonic Lumix GX8

Panasonic Lumix GX9

Panasonic Lumix S1

Panasonic Lumix S1H

Panasonic Lumix S1R

Panasonic Lumix S5

Panasonic V180

Panasonic V800

Panasonic VX1

Panasonic VXF1

Panasonic W585

Panasonic WXF1

Panasonic X1500/X2000
Compatible Sony CamerasSony A5100

Sony A6000

Sony A6100

Sony A6300

Sony A6400

Sony A6500

Sony A6600

Sony A7

Sony A7 III

Sony A7R III

Sony A7s II

Sony DSC-RX0

Sony FDR-AX100

Sony FDR-AX33

Sony FDR-AX53

Sony HDR-AS300R

Sony PXW-Z90V

Sony RX100 IV (Partially Compatible)

Sony RX100 V

Sony RX100 VI

Sony RX100 VII

Sony RX10 MKIII

Sony ZV-1
Sony A5100

Sony A6000

Sony A6100

Sony A6300

Sony A6400

Sony A6500

Sony A6600

Sony A7

Sony A7 III

Sony A7R III

Sony A7s II

Sony DSC-RX0

Sony FDR-AX100

Sony FDR-AX33

Sony FDR-AX53

Sony HDR-AS300R

Sony PXW-Z90V

Sony RX100 IV (Partially Compatible)

Sony RX100 V

Sony RX100 VI

Sony RX100 VII

Sony RX10 MKIII

Sony ZV-1
Software InterfaceUVC (USB Video Class)DirectShow
MultiviewSupportedNot Supported
Stream Deck IntegrationSupportedNot Supported
Multi InputSupportedNot Supported
Multi AppSupportedNot Supported
PC RequirementsOperating System: Windows 10 (64-bit)

CPU: 4th Generation Quad Core Intel i5 (i5-4xxx) or comparable

USB: USB 3.0 or better
Operating System: Windows 10 (64-bit)

CPU: 6th Generation Quad Core Intel i7 (i5-6xxx) or AMD Ryzen 7 (or better)

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 10xx (or better)

PCIe: PCIe x4, PCIe x8 or PCIe x16
Mac RequirementsOperating System: macOS Sierra 10.12 (or better)

CPU: 4th Generation Quad Core Intel i5 (i5-4xxx) or comparable

USB: USB 3.0 or better
Operating System: macOS Sierra 10.12 (or better)

CPU: 4th Generation Quad Core Intel i5 (i5-4xxx) or comparable

USB: USB 3.0 or better
PricingCheck price on Amazon.(#CommissionsEarned)Check price on Amazon.(#CommissionsEarned)

Interface

When it comes to the interface, the Elgato Cam Link 4K uses USB 3.0 while the Elgato Cam Link Pro uses PCIe.

Since the Cam Link 4K only requires USB 3.0, it offers more versatile as you will be able to use it on a desktop computer as well as a laptop.

With the Cam Link Pro, you are limited to a desktop PC that has a compatible PCIe slot.

HDMI Inputs

As for the HDMI inputs, the Cam Link 4K comes with one unencrypted HDMI port while the Cam Link Pro comes with four unencrypted HDMI ports.

Supported Resolutions and FPS

The Cam Link Pro is the only one of the two camera capture cards to support 720p and 1440p.

You can take a look at the full lists of supported resolutions and frame rates below:

Elgato Cam Link 4K:

  • 3840 x 2160p at 30 frames per second
  • 1920 x 1080p at 60 frames per second
  • 1920 x 1080i at 60 frames per second
  • 720 x 576p at 50 frames per second
  • 720 x 480p at 60 frames per second

Elgato Cam Link Pro:

  • 3840 x 2160p at 30 frames per second
  • 2560 x 1440p at 60 frames per second
  • 1920 x 1080p at 60 frames per second
  • 1920 x 1080p at 30 frames per second
  • 1920 x 1080i at 60 frames per second
  • 1280 x 720p at 60 frames per second
  • 720 x 576p at 50 frames per second
  • 720 x 480p at 60 frames per second

Compatible Cameras

The Elgato Cam Link 4K and Elgato Cam Link Pro offer the same compatibility as both will work with plenty of cameras, especially those from Canon, Fujifilm, GoPro, Panasonic and Sony.

You can find the long lists of compatible cameras below (via Elgato.com):

Elgato Cam Link 4K and Cam Link Pro Compatible Blackmagic Design Camera

  • Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K

Elgato Cam Link 4K and Cam Link Pro Compatible Canon Cameras

  • Canon EOS 1D X Mark II
  • Canon EOS 1D X Mark III
  • Canon EOS 5D Mark III (Partially Compatible)
  • Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
  • Canon EOS 650D (Partially Compatible)
  • Canon EOS 77D
  • Canon EOS 7D Mark II
  • Canon EOS 80D
  • Canon EOS 90D
  • Canon EOS M200
  • Canon EOS M50 (Partially Compatible)
  • Canon EOS M6
  • Canon EOS R
  • Canon EOS Rebel SL2
  • Canon EOS Rebel SL3
  • Canon EOS Rebel T6i
  • Canon EOS Rebel T7i
  • Canon EOS Rebel T8i
  • Canon EOS RP
  • Canon G5 X Mark II
  • Canon G7 X Mark III
  • Canon Legria HF R806
  • Canon VIXIA HF G30
  • Canon VIXIA HF G40
  • Canon VIXIA HF R700
  • Canon VIXIA HF R800
  • Canon XA10

Elgato Cam Link 4K and Cam Link Pro Compatible Fujifilm Cameras

  • Fujifilm XF10
  • Fujifilm GFX 100
  • Fujifilm GFX 50R
  • Fujifilm GFX 50S
  • Fujifilm X100F
  • Fujifilm X-A5
  • Fujifilm X-E3
  • Fujifilm X-H1
  • Fujifilm X-T100
  • Fujifilm X-T2
  • Fujifilm X-T20
  • Fujifilm X-T200
  • Fujifilm X-T3
  • Fujifilm X-T30
  • Fujifilm X-T4

Elgato Cam Link 4K and Cam Link Pro Compatible GoPro Cameras

  • GoPro HERO3+ Silver
  • GoPro HERO3 White
  • GoPro HERO4 Black
  • GoPro HERO5 Black
  • GoPro HERO6 Black
  • GoPro HERO7 Black
  • GoPro HERO8 Black

Elgato Cam Link 4K and Cam Link Pro Compatible Nikon Cameras

  • Nikon D3300 (Partially Compatible)
  • Nikon D5100 (Partially Compatible)
  • Nikon D5300 (Partially Compatible)
  • Nikon D750 (Partially Compatible)
  • Nikon D850
  • Nikon Z 50

Elgato Cam Link 4K and Cam Link Pro Compatible Panasonic Cameras

  • Panasonic HC-V770
  • Panasonic Lumix BGH1
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80
  • Panasonic Lumix G100
  • Panasonic Lumix G85
  • Panasonic Lumix G9
  • Panasonic Lumix G95
  • Panasonic Lumix GH5
  • Panasonic Lumix GX8
  • Panasonic Lumix GX9
  • Panasonic Lumix S1
  • Panasonic Lumix S1H
  • Panasonic Lumix S1R
  • Panasonic Lumix S5
  • Panasonic V180
  • Panasonic V800
  • Panasonic VX1
  • Panasonic VXF1
  • Panasonic W585
  • Panasonic WXF1
  • Panasonic X1500/X2000

Elgato Cam Link 4K and Cam Link Pro Compatible Sony Cameras

  • Sony A5100
  • Sony A6000
  • Sony A6100
  • Sony A6300
  • Sony A6400
  • Sony A6500
  • Sony A6600
  • Sony A7
  • Sony A7 III
  • Sony A7R III
  • Sony A7s II
  • Sony DSC-RX0
  • Sony FDR-AX100
  • Sony FDR-AX33
  • Sony FDR-AX53
  • Sony HDR-AS300R
  • Sony PXW-Z90V
  • Sony RX100 IV (Partially Compatible)
  • Sony RX100 V
  • Sony RX100 VI
  • Sony RX100 VII
  • Sony RX10 MKIII
  • Sony ZV-1

Software Interface

For the software interface, the Cam Link 4K utilizes the UVC (USB Video Class) while the Cam Link Pro utilizes DirectShow.

Multiview

The Cam Link Pro is the only product in this versus showdown to support Multiview, which allows you combine four camera video feeds into one video source. As a result, you will be able to use Picture in Picture, Side by Side, Triple and Quad layouts.

Multiview is especially helpful if you are planning to do complicated virtual presentations.

Stream Deck Integration

The Elgato Cam Link Pro is also the only one to integrate Elgato support.

With this accessory, you can change the layout of your video feed with a simple button press.

Multi Input

Unlike the Cam Link 4K, the Cam Link Pro supports multiple inputs. By using multiple HDMI inputs, you will be able reposition, re-size and customize multiple video feeds on the fly.

Multi App

The Cam Link Pro is also the only of the two devices in this comparison to feature Multi App, which lets you use the same video feed in multiple applications at the same time.

PC Requirements

The Cam Link Pro has higher requirements when compared to the Cam Link 4K if you want to use both with a personal computer.

You can find the specs requirements below:

Elgato Cam Link 4K:

  • Operating System: Windows 10 (64-bit)
  • CPU: 4th Generation Quad Core Intel i5 (i5-4xxx) or comparable
  • USB: USB 3.0 or better

Elgato Cam Link Pro:

  • Operating System: Windows 10 (64-bit)
  • CPU: 6th Generation Quad Core Intel i7 (i5-6xxx) or AMD Ryzen 7 (or better)
  • GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 10xx (or better)
  • PCIe: PCIe x4, PCIe x8 or PCIe x16

Mac Requirements

The Cam Link 4K is the only product in this guide to support Macintosh.

You can find the Mac requirements below:

  • Operating System: macOS Sierra 10.12 (or better)
  • CPU: 4th Generation Quad Core Intel i5 (i5-4xxx) or comparable
  • USB: USB 3.0 or better

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