HD Webcam shoot-out: 720p Webcams compared
Justin Yu
Associate Editor March 23, 2011
Most laptops and desktops you can purchase today come with built-in Webcams, but if you're looking for an HD upgrade for video chatting using programs like Skype, Google Chat, AOL Instant Messenger, or Windows Live Messenger, then the latest batch of 720p cameras from Microsoft, Creative, and Logitech have you covered. Though 1080p Webcams are available, we chose lower-resolution 720p models that offer impressive video quality at more affordable prices. These cams are designed to be mounted on a laptop or a desktop, and the general design consists of a small lens built into a swiveling base for 360-degree perspectives.
In addition to video chat capability, all five cameras offer photo-booth-style snapshots that take advantage of the large image sensors to take high-quality photos of you and your friends. Logitech, Creative, and Microsoft also offer graphical overlays that boost the fun factor with effects that apply virtual masks, glasses, and distortions to your face, similar to what you'd see in a carnival mirror.
A helpful tip before you buy: make sure to take a look at the minimum system requirements for the camera. In our tests, we found that using a camera with a laptop or desktop system on less than the recommended settings resulted in choppy video and distorted image quality.
| Product name | |||||
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| Price | $27.85 to $81.99 | $31.25 | $27.79 to $49.99 | $32.50 to $59.95 | $39.99 to $75.99 |
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| The Bottom Line | The Logitech HD Webcam C310 installs quickly and easily, works seamlessly with video chat programs like Skype, Yahoo Messenger, and Google Chat, and even takes high-quality 5-megapixel snapshots for less money than its competitors. If you're in the market for an aftermarket Webcam, the Logitech HD Webcam C310 is your best bet. | The Logitech HD Webcam C510 is an inexpensive option for use with computers that don't come with built-in cameras. Its 2-megapixel sensor takes 8-megapixel snapshots, and 720p HD video performs well with video-chatting programs like Skype, Google Chat, and Windows Live Messenger. With a handful of extra features like one-click uploads to YouTube or Facebook and fun video effects, the Logitech HD Webcam C510 is a worthwhile buy. | The Microsoft LifeCam HD-5000 Web camera offers excellent high-def video and sound quality at an affordable price. Despite using a good deal of system resources at higher resolutions, it's certainly an improvement over stock Webcams. We recommend it to anyone looking for a smoother video chat experience. | The Microsoft LifeCam HD-6000 for notebooks offers impressive HD video output quality and excellent sound definition over previous models for an overall smooth video-chatting experience, but the continual autofocus feature can be distracting to your chat partner. Nevertheless, we recommend the Microsoft LifeCam HD-6000, if you have the proper system requirements. | We recommend the Creative Live Cam Socialize HD AF Webcam because it directs attention to the subject while the hardware operates smoothly in the background, allowing you to freely engage in uninterrupted communication with your friends and family. |
| Features | |||||
| Features | Snap-shot button USB 2.0 compatibility RightSound technology Skype compatible | RightLight 2 technology Face Recognition USB 2.0 compatibility RightSound technology Skype compatible | TrueColor Technology Skype compatible | Progressive scanning TrueColor Technology | Snap-shot button USB 2.0 compatibility Skype compatible |
| System Requirements | Microsoft Windows 7 Microsoft Windows Vista Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later | Microsoft Windows 7 Microsoft Windows Vista Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later | Microsoft Windows 7 Microsoft Windows Vista Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later | Microsoft Windows 7 Microsoft Windows Vista Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later | Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Microsoft Windows 7 Microsoft Windows Vista SP1 Linux Kernel 2.6 or later Microsoft Windows XP SP2 Apple MacOS X 10.5 |
| Interfaces | Hi-Speed USB | Hi-Speed USB | Hi-Speed USB | Hi-Speed USB | USB |
| Camera | Color | Color | Color | Color | Color |
| Microsoft Certification | Certified for Windows Vista | Certified for Windows Vista | Compatible with Windows 7 | Certified for Windows Vista | Compatible with Windows 7 |
| Connectivity Technology | Wired | Info unavailable | Wired | Wired | Wired |
| Software type | Logitech Video Effects Drivers & Utilities Logitech Vid HD | Logitech Video Effects Drivers & Utilities Logitech Vid HD | Drivers & Utilities | Drivers & Utilities | Creative Live! Cam Avatar Creator Drivers & Utilities Creative Live! Cam Central 2 muveeNow 2.0 |
| Cables Included | 1 x USB cable - 5 ft | 1 x USB cable - 5 ft | 1 x USB cable - 6 ft | 1 x USB cable | 1 x USB cable - 5.6 ft |
| Manufacturer Warranty | 2 years warranty | 2 years warranty | 3 years warranty | 3 years warranty | 1 year warranty |
| Product Description | Logitech HD Webcam C310 - Web camera | Logitech HD Webcam C510 - Web camera | Microsoft LifeCam HD-5000 - Web camera | Microsoft LifeCam HD-6000 - Notebook web camera | Creative Live! Cam Socialize HD - Web camera |
| Device Type | Web camera | Web camera | Web camera | Notebook web camera | Web camera |
| Audio Support | Yes : Built-in microphone | Yes : Built-in microphone | Yes : Built-in microphone | Info unavailable | Yes : Built-in microphone |
| Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications |
| Buying choices | | | | | |
6 comments
Join the conversation! Add your comment- Will these also work with Mac OS 10.6?
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- Does any of these Web-cams have a in-built Microphone to talk?
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- yes all webcams do at least all that i know of...
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- They all have built in microphones.
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- I'm curious how the Microsoft LifeCam cinema (the 720p model) compares to these since it has been at $56 on Amazon for a while. Probably best off spending a little more to get the faceVsion, TouchCam N1 with hardware encoding H.264 and built in mic, especially if being used with Skype.
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- It look nice cool work eMac Mac 0SX 10.5.8 That nice if did.
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