Does PSVR 2 need a camera to work on PS5?
Sony's PS5 VR headset comes with inside-out tracking, but you do need a camera for one aspect of PSVR 2
You'll be pleased to know that the PSVR 2 does not require a camera to work on PS5, which is a relief considering the PSVR 2 price is $549. That means you don’t need to rush out and buy the $60 PS5 HD Camera if you’re interested in playing the latest PSVR 2 games, as PlayStation VR2 features inside-out tracking.
If you’re not sure what inside-out tracking means, it’s a technology that uses cameras placed on a device to determine its location in the environment. The PSVR 2 has four embedded cameras on the headset, allowing it to track exactly where your head is positioned at all times.
That's why, unlike the original PSVR, which required users to also have the PS4 HD Camera, Sony's PlayStation VR2 doesn't need a separate external camera for tracking. It’s also the reason why the PSVR 2 is much more precise than the original PlayStation VR, and why the PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers don’t have glowing orbs on the end like the PS Move controllers. Simply put, it's much more precise and advanced than the PSVR.
Not needing a camera for PSVR 2 is great news, then, as having to pay an extra $59.99 just to use Sony’s headset on PS5 would have been a setback. What’s more, PSVR 2 comes with controllers and it also comes with headphones, which makes the total price easier to stomach.
Why you might need a camera for PSVR 2
The PS5 HD Camera is necessary for one feature of the PSVR 2: broadcasting yourself on streaming services. If you want to stream the best PS5 games on Twitch or YouTube directly from your console, you'll need the PS5 HD Camera to broadcast yourself. Keep this in mind if you're planning on becoming a PSVR 2 streamer.
Unlike the Xbox Series X|S, the PS5 doesn’t support third-party webcams. This means there’s no way to show your audience that you’re physically climbing cliff faces in Horizon Call of the Mountain or leaning into every corner in Gran Turismo 7 without the official camera plugged in. That makes the camera one of the best PS5 accessories by default, as it serves a specific purpose. Just keep in mind it will occupy one of the PS5’s three USB-A ports.
To reiterate, then, you don’t need a camera for PSVR 2 to work on PS5, but you will have to grab one if you plan on broadcasting your adventures in virtual reality to the wider world.
If you’re still on the fence about VR, you may be asking ‘Is PSVR 2 worth it?’ and ‘Does PSVR make you feel sick?’. We’ve got the answers to all those questions and more in our extensive PSVR 2 coverage.
Last updated: April 17, 2024