Take photos and videos with Surface
Applies To
Surface DevicesYour Surface has cameras that you can use to take pictures, unlock your computer, and more.
Find the cameras for your Surface
The cameras on your Surface depend on which model you have. Find your model to see where the cameras are.
|
Surface model |
Camera locations |
|
Surface Pro |
The Windows Hello camera and front-facing camera are above the screen. With the screen facing you, the back camera is in the middle towards the top edge of your Surface. |
|
Surface Go |
The Windows Hello camera and front-facing camera are above the screen. With the screen facing you, the back camera is in the middle towards the top edge of your Surface. |
|
Surface Laptop |
The Windows Hello camera and front-facing camera are above the screen. |
|
Surface Laptop Studio |
The Windows Hello camera and front-facing camera are above the screen. |
|
Surface Book |
The Windows Hello camera and front-facing camera are above the screen. With the screen facing you, the back camera is in the top left corner of your screen. |
|
Surface Studio |
The Windows Hello camera and front-facing camera are above the screen. |
Use the cameras
Once you know which Surface you have, here are some ways you can use the cameras.
Use the Windows Hello camera.
Windows Hello lets you log in to your computer faster by using your face. For more info on setting this up, go to Learn about Windows Hello and set it up.
Take photos and record videos
By default, the built-in Camera app is ready to take photos, but you can easily switch between photo and video mode. For info about how to open the Camera app and take a photo or record a video, see How to use the Camera app.
Note: A small privacy light appears near the active camera when you’re using it. The privacy light can’t be turned off.
Adjust the focus
The rear-facing camera on these Surface has an autofocus lens that detects a face in the scene automatically and focuses on it. If it doesn’t detect a face, it will focus on the main subject in the center of the screen.
You can adjust and lock the focus on a different location by tapping the screen on that spot. If you’re shooting a video, you can spot adjust the focus without stopping the recording. When you tap the screen to adjust the focus, the focus is locked on that spot until you tap the screen again.
Here’s how to adjust and lock the focus:
-
Photos: Tap the screen to focus on that spot, then tap the Camera button to take the picture.
-
Videos: While you’re recording video, tap the screen to spot adjust the focus.
Note: This doesn’t apply to Surface Pro, Surface Pro 2, and Surface Pro 3.
Change camera options
Change camera settings
You can zoom in or out, switch between the front and back cameras, change the photo aspect ratio, show or hide framing grid lines, adjust video settings, and change what happens when you press and hold the camera button. To learn how, see How to use the Camera app.
Note: By default, pressing and holding the camera button records a video, but you can change the setting so that holding the camera button takes a quick series of still photos instead.
Turn off the camera shutter sound
You can turn off the shutter sound the camera makes by muting the volume on your Surface.
-
In the task bar, select Volume and slide the slider all the way down to mute the sound.
Related topics
Your Surface has cameras that you can use to take pictures, unlock your computer, and more.
Find the cameras for your Surface
The cameras on your Surface depend on which model you have. Find your model to see where the cameras are.
|
Surface model |
Camera locations |
|
Surface Pro |
The Windows Hello camera and front-facing camera are above the screen. With the screen facing you, the back camera is in the middle towards the top edge of your Surface. |
|
Surface Go |
The Windows Hello camera and front-facing camera are above the screen. With the screen facing you, the back camera is in the middle towards the top edge of your Surface. |
|
Surface Laptop |
The Windows Hello camera and front-facing camera are above the screen. |
|
Surface Book |
The Windows Hello camera and front-facing camera are above the screen. With the screen facing you, the back camera is in the top left corner of your screen. |
|
Surface Studio |
The Windows Hello camera and front-facing camera are above the screen. |
Use the cameras
Once you know which Surface you have, here are some ways you can use the cameras.
Use the Windows Hello camera.
Windows Hello lets you log in to your computer faster by using your face. For more info on setting this up, go to Learn about Windows Hello and set it up.
Take photos and record videos
By default, the built-in Camera app is ready to take photos, but you can easily switch between photo and video mode. For info about how to open the Camera app and take a photo or record a video, see How to use the Camera app.
Note: A small privacy light appears near the active camera when you’re using it. The privacy light can’t be turned off.
Adjust the focus
The rear-facing camera on these Surface has an autofocus lens that detects a face in the scene automatically and focuses on it. If it doesn’t detect a face, it will focus on the main subject in the center of the screen.
You can adjust and lock the focus on a different location by tapping the screen on that spot. If you’re shooting a video, you can spot adjust the focus without stopping the recording. When you tap the screen to adjust the focus, the focus is locked on that spot until you tap the screen again.
Here’s how to adjust and lock the focus:
-
Photos: Tap the screen to focus on that spot, then tap the Camera button to take the picture.
-
Videos: While you’re recording video, tap the screen to spot adjust the focus.
Note: This doesn’t apply to Surface Pro, Surface Pro 2, and Surface Pro 3.
Change camera options
Change camera settings
You can zoom in or out, switch between the front and back cameras, change the photo aspect ratio, show or hide framing grid lines, adjust video settings, and change what happens when you press and hold the camera button. To learn how, see How to use the Camera app.
Note: By default, pressing and holding the camera button records a video, but you can change the setting so that holding the camera button takes a quick series of still photos instead.
Turn off the camera shutter sound
You can turn off the shutter sound the camera makes by muting the volume on your Surface.
-
In the task bar, select Volume and slide the slider all the way down to mute the sound.
Related topics
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