During IBC 2023 we had a chance to shoot several videos at the Hollyland booth. We have already published our video on the the unique technologies behind the Lark Max wireless mic system and in this video we will focus on the brand new Hollyland VenusLiv Wireless Live Streaming Camera introduced just prior to the show in Amsterdam.
Hollyland VenusLiv Live Streaming Camera
During IBC 2023 we had a chance to talk to Vivian Lu from Hollyland about several products including the VenusLiv and see it in action on the company’s booth alongside the upcoming VenusLiv Live Air (we shall discuss later on in this article).
So what exactly is the VenusLiv? the VenusLiv is a video camera designed with live streaming in mind but with many unique features that are well beyond anything that you might find on any typical (or even advanced) webcam on the one hand and with some useful features that make it a much better solution in our view for live streaming/video podcasting and even other long-form video content compared to normal cameras.
The camera is box-shaped but fairly compact with a 12MP 1/2″ sensor and a built-in wide-angle zoom lens (80-degree FOV with 3X optical and 2X additional digital zoom).
The Hollyland VenusLiv at IBC 2023
This sensor is larger than most webcams but smaller than mirrorless sensors. The result is an image that looks much better than even high-quality webcams but has a lot more depth of field compared to a mirrorless (as photographers and videographers we want a shallow depth of focus however this is not necessarily the look you want for a long-form content like a live/podcast (and at least on paper it has less chance to loose focus and hunt).
Looking at the unit itself it has plenty of connections including an RJ45 allowing for very easy streaming setup, UBS-C, and USB-A as well as options to connect a mic with a 3.5mm jack or one of Hollyland’s wireless mics via USB-C.
It can be powered using AC or USB-C but also using an NP-F style battery for several hours making it a much better solution than most mirrorless cameras for longer recordings.
The VenusLiv has a huge 5″ touch screen which looks great and the camera can be placed either in a horizontal or vertical position (it has 1/4″ 20 connectors on both sides). The entire unit is still very light and without the battery, it is around 900g.
You can rig it with a wireless transmitter as it has a full-size HDMI (Hollyland used one of its wireless transmitters in this way at the booth) and it includes BT 5 and WIFI.
The VenusLiv Live Air is the upcoming smaller and less expensive version which lacks a battery option and screen and is fully controlled via an app (it should sell for around half of what the VenusLiv costs when it is released).
Pricing and availability
The Hollyland VenusLiv Wireless Live Streaming Camera is already available for purchase and sells for around $1000.
Make sure you don’t miss any of our IBC 2023 videos and articles on our special show coverage page.
Special thanks to our sponsors for IBC 2023: SmallRig, Ulanzi, Godox, Zhiyun.
Full disclosure – Hollyland has been our sponsor for our short videos on IBC 2023.
Iddo Genuth 
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