Product
Ratings - Webcams
(17 webcams rated)
We have tested and several webcams to provide you some information and make it easy to decide what to
use.
When it comes to webcams, quality
IS everything. We found the cheapest webcams offer a absolutely
terrible experience. If you want good video you will need a good webcam.
Everything we test will be compared to the Logitech series webcams as they
have the best suite of software and function wonderfully with fluid
movement and crisp video. There are two type of sensors, those with
'CCD' and those with 'CMOS'. If you want the best webcam, get one
with a VGA 'CCD' sensor 640x480. Less expensive and lesser quality
webcams use a CMOS sensor. Webcams operate at VGA resolution or
640x480. The still cameras in them can operate higher, some have
1.3 megapixel cameras. Do not confuse the two.
View our Webcam ratings criteria
HERE.
FREE Chapter
out of my book 'Video Conferencing over IP' on Webcams
Chapter 10 "Webcams" which was not
included in my book 'Video Conferencing over IP' is yours free for your
reading. I did not include this chapter in the book as it was not
really about Video Calls. It is about other uses for webcams, but lots
of good information about webcams.
Latest
Windows Webcams
Logitech QuickCam
Pro for Notebooks (HD Video 960 x 720 pixels)
VideoCallTips.com rates this a -
12345+
Pros:
- Mounts on
laptops and on a stand provided
- Lens Quality
- Carl Zeiss (same as a camera)
- Sharpest
image of any webcam made to date
- Great in all
lighting conditions
- Ease of use
- Auto Focus
- Wide angle
viewing
- great
Logitech driver and application software
- Video Mail option of
any length
- Records webcam video
of any length for recording any event
- Can take
snapshots up to 8 megapixels
- Photo Album
- Nice update
to the Quickcam software update
Cons:
* Special note:
I am still amazed how much better Logitech webcams continue to get. This is
the BESt webcam you can buy - hands down - period !!! This is both
a webcam that clips onto a laptop and comes with a stand and pouch.
I tested this with Skype using 640x480 video settings on each end and
the quality was amazing !!! If you have an older webcam or looking
for one - GET THIS WEBCAM ! Only the built-in Apple iSight webcams
come close to the quality of this webcam.
Logitech QuickCam
Ultra Vision
(VGA CCD - 640x480)
VideoCallTips.com rates this a -
12345
Pros:
- Mounts on
top of both Flat screens and CRT monitors
- Lens Quality
- Sharpest
image of any webcam made to date
- Ease of use
- Auto Focus
- Wide angle
viewing
- Video Mail option of
any length
- Records webcam video
of any length for recording any event
- Can take
snapshots up to 4 megapixels
- Photo Album
- Mobile Video for
transmitting video to Verizon "Get it Now" cell phones
- Nice update
to the Quickcam software update
Cons:
* Special note:
This is a really good webcam and until the newest Pro for Notebooks came
out was the best.
Lenovo webcam
* Special note:
We have not rated this webcam, but we have provided a link to a review
that someone recently did to provide you more information.
Philips SPC900NC
(VGA CCD - 640x480)
VideoCallTips.com rates this a -
12345
Pros:
- Great image
quality
- Good in low
light
- Wide angle
viewing
- manual focus
- Control Panel has
zoom, pan and face tracking
- Ease of use
- Video Mail option
- Can take snapshots
1.3 megapixels
- Can mount to
a FlexStand
Cons:
- The arm is
flexible and does not mount tightly on a laptop or flat screen
- Windows
version only
- Manual focus
if you want an auto focus solution
- Software not
as robust as the newer Logitech series
* Special note:
If you really want to see what is inside one of these webcams, read the
following article where someone took it apart.
Logitech QuickCam Pro
5000
(VGA CCD - 640x480)
VideoCallTips.com rates this a -
12345
Pros:
- Best webcam
available
- Wide angle
viewing
- Auto-focus
- Great
software
- Control Panel has
zoom, pan and face tracking
- Ease of use
- Video Mail option of
any length
- Records webcam video
of any length for recording any event
- Can take snapshots
1.3 megapixels
- Photo Album
- Mobile Video for
transmitting video to Verizon "Get it Now" cell phones
- Fun video
effects to add to your Video Call
Cons:
- Only mounts
on monitors - can not be easily mounted to the FlexStand
- Windows
version only
- for a MAC version, use the Logitech 4000
* Special note:
This is the same form factor as the older QuickCam 4000. The mount
is different and the webcam is improved. Unfortunately it will not
mount easily to a FlexStand that I use and recommend to keep your webcam
and microphone off your desk and placed better for a video call.
You can use a 10-32x5/8" screw or bolt to attach this webcam to the
FlexStand without damaging the normal mounting slot. If you need a
tighter fit, use a 12-24x5/8" screw or bolt, though this may affect how
it mounts to the normal mounting stand if you need to use it for both.
Logitech QuickCam
Fusion
(VGA CCD - 640x480)
VideoCallTips.com rates this a -
12345
Pros:
- Mounts on
top of both Flat screens and CRT monitors
- Ease of use
- Auto Focus
- Wide angle
viewing
- Video Mail option of
any length
- Records webcam video
of any length for recording any event
- Can take snapshots
up to 1.3 megapixels
- Photo Album
- Mobile Video for
transmitting video to Verizon "Get it Now" cell phones
Cons:
- Quality is
not as good as higher end Logitech webcams
- Top of
monitor mount only
- Would not
mount on the FlexStand
- Windows
version only
Logitech QuickCam Pro 4000
(VGA CCD - 640x480)
VideoCallTips.com rates this a -
12345
Pros:
- Windows and Mac versions
- Best webcam we have
seen and used
- Best interface we
tested
- Control Panel has
zoom, pan and face tracking
- Ease of use
- Video Mail option of
any length
- Records webcam video
of any length for recording any event
- Can take snapshots
- Photo Album
- Mobile Video for
transmitting video to Verizon "Get it Now" cell phones
- Mounts
easily to the FlexStand !!!
Cons:
- Focus adjustment and
little hard to turn, but accurate
- Does not
support MAC OS X 10.3 and 10.4 Tiger
* Special note:
This gets a 5 because it mounts on a FlexStand out of the box.
Logitech QuickCam for Notebooks Pro
(VGA CCD - 640x480) - Newer model
VideoCallTips.com rates this a -
12345
Pros:
- Great for travel
- Great
mounting clip for laptops
- Comes with travel case
- Small
- Great
software
- Auto focus
- Wide angle
viewing
- Control Panel has
zoom, pan and face tracking
- Ease of use
- Video Mail option of
any length
- Records webcam video
of any length for recording any event
- Can take snapshots
- Photo Album
- Mobile Video for
transmitting video to Verizon "Get it Now" cell phones
- Fun Avitar video
effects to add to your Video Call
Cons:
- Windows
version only - For a MAC version, use the older version of this webcam
* Special note:
This is the new and improved version of the older model and a far superior
clip to mount to your notebook. The older model was very poor for
mounting on your laptop.
Logitech Orbit
MP
(VGA CCD - 640x480) - newer model
VideoCallTips.com rates this a -
12345
Pros:
- Ease of use
- Auto Focus
- Wide angle
viewing 189°
- Pan at 189°,
tilt at 102°
- Video Mail option of
any length
- Records webcam video
of any length for recording any event
- Can take snapshots
- Photo Album
- Mobile Video for
transmitting video to Verizon "Get it Now" cell phones
- Has 12"
stand to allow webcam to look more direct at you vs. up to you or down
on you
- Fun Avitar video
effects to add to your Video Call
Cons:
- Quality is
not as good as higher end Logitech webcams
- Would not
mount on the FlexStand
- Windows
version only
* Special note:
The motorized Pan and Tilt are not all that useful I find, though the
stand to sit higher is nice as I do not like webcams that look down or
up to you with the desk mount and top of monitor mount. For the
money, but a Logitech 5000 and FlexStand.
Microsoft LifeCam VX-6000
(VGA CMOS - 640x480)
Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000
(VGA CMOS - 640x480)
Microsoft LifeCam NX-6000
(VGA CMOS - 640x480) - Laptop version
VideoCallTips.com rates this a -
12345
Pros:
- Can launch
Windows Live Messenger from a button on the webcam
- Control Panel has
zoom, pan and fact racking
- Records webcam video
of any length for recording any event
- Can take snapshots
up to 1.3 megapixels
- Photo Album
- 75° wide
angle lens
- Mounts on
Flat screen monitors or set on desk
Cons:
- Manual focus
- Image
quality is mediochre
- No lens
cover
- Slower than
Logitech series webcams
- Windows
version only
* Special note:
I am surprised at how poor Microsoft's first webcam performed. The
VX-3000 is a cheaper model with the same low quality image. Wait
until the next version of this webcam. Logitech and Phillips is a
far superior webcam for the same price.
Global Media
iREZ K2 webcam
(VGA CMOS - 640x480)
VideoCallTips.com rates this a -
12345
Pros:
- Control Panel has
zoom, pan and fact racking
- Records webcam video
of any length for recording any event
- Can take snapshots
- Photo Album
- ORB website
tools - http://www.orb.com/
- Pan at 200°,
tilt at 105°
- Integrates
with SightSpeed
- remote user can control your webcam
- Mounts on
Flat screen monitors
- Also comes
with a 12" stand
Cons:
- Manual focus
- No lens
cover
- Slower than
Logitech series webcams
- Windows
version only
* Special note:
This webcam comes with both mounts for a flat screen and stand. I
like the stand as it allows for better viewing height.
Creative Live
Motion
(VGA CCD - 640x480)
VideoCallTips.com rates this a -
12345
Pros:
- Simple
installation
- Integrates
with SightSpeed
- remote user can control your webcam
- Mounts on
Flat screen monitors
Cons:
- Image is
fuzzy - terrible focus
- Quality is
not as good as higher end Logitech QuickCam for Notebooks Pro
- Windows
version only
* Special note:
This could be mounted on a FlexStand with a longer screw and washer.
This is Creative's highest end webcam and I was completely disappointed
at the quality. Integration with SightSpeed is very cool and
Logitech should take note and do this with other Video Call solutions.
Logitech QuickCam for Notebooks
Deluxe
(VGA CCD - 640x480)
VideoCallTips.com rates this a -
12345
Pros:
- Great for travel
- Good
mounting clip for laptops
- Comes with
soft travel bag
- Small
- Great
software
- Control Panel has
zoom, pan and face racking
- Ease of use
- Video Mail option of
any length
- Records webcam video
of any length for recording any event
- Can take snapshots
- Photo Album
- Mobile Video for
transmitting video to Verizon "Get it Now" cell phones
Cons:
- Manual focus
- very difficult to adjust
- Uses older
version of the Logitech software
- Quality is
not as good as higher end Logitech QuickCam for Notebooks Pro
- Windows
version only
Models for Apple computers
Apple iSight -
Firewire
VideoCallTips.com rates this a -
12345
Pros:
- Best webcam
for the MAC
- Basically
only webcam for Tiger - MAC OS X 10.4
- Flat base
and Powerbook mounts
- Firewire
connection so it does not take up a USB port
- Can mount to
the FlexStand
Cons:
Logitech QuickCam Pro 4000
(VGA CCD - 640x480)
VideoCallTips.com rates this a -
12345
Pros:
- Windows and Mac versions
- Best webcam we have
seen and used
- Best interface we
tested
- Control Panel has
zoom, pan and face tracking
- Ease of use
- Video Mail option of
any length
- Records webcam video
of any length for recording any event
- Can take snapshots
- Photo Album
- Mobile Video for
transmitting video to Verizon "Get it Now" cell phones
- Mounts
easily to the FlexStand !!!
Cons:
- Focus adjustment and
little hard to turn, but accurate
- Is not
supported on MAC OS X 10.3 or Tiger 10.4
* Special note:
This gets a 5 because it mounts on a FlexStand
Older Models
Logitech QuickCam for Notebooks Pro
(VGA CCD - 640x480) - Older model
VideoCallTips.com rates this a -
12345
Pros:
- Windows and Mac versions
- Great for travel
- Comes with rugged
plastic travel case
- small
- Best interface we
tested
- Control Panel has
zoom, pan and face tracking
- Ease of use
- Video Mail option of
any length
- Records webcam video
of any length for recording any event
- Can take snapshots
- Photo Album
- Mobile Video for
transmitting video to Verizon "Get it Now" cell phones
Cons:
- Focus adjustment and
little hard to turn, but accurate
Logitech Orbit
(VGA CCD - 640x480) - older model
VideoCallTips.com rates this a -
12345
Pros:
- Ease of use
- Auto Focus
- Wide angle
viewing 189°
- Pan at 189°,
tilt at 102°
- Video Mail option of
any length
- Records webcam video
of any length for recording any event
- Can take snapshots
- Photo Album
- Mobile Video for
transmitting video to Verizon "Get it Now" cell phones
- Has 12"
stand to allow webcam to look more direct at you vs. up to you or down
on you
Cons:
- Quality is
not as good as higher end Logitech webcams
- Would not
mount on the FlexStand
* Special note:
The motorized Pan and Tilt are not all that useful I find, though the
stand to sit higher is nice as I do not like webcams that look down or
up to you with the desk mount and top of monitor mount. For the
money, but a Logitech 5000 and FlexStand.
Creative Webcam NX Ultra
(VGA CCD - 640x480)
VideoCallTips.com rates this a -
12345
Pros:
- Fits Flat Panel
Monitors and sits on flat surfaces
- Control Panel has
zoom, pan and tracking mode
- Records webcam video
of any length for recording any event
- Can take snapshots
- Photo Album
- PC and Mac versions
- Has a Monitor option
that captures images anytime it senses movement and can even email you
- Add-on software from
ArcSoft adds Video Email, Greeting Card and Phot and Video editing
software
Cons:
- Base is a little
narrow and falls over when nudged
- Video not sharp
- Colors are off
- Poor in evening light
- Focus hard to turn
* Special note:
For $90 which is the same price as a Logitech QuickCam Pro 4000 - get the
Logitech !
Ezonics EZVideo Chat kit
(older version) (VGA CMOS)
VideoCallTips.com rates this a -
* DO NOT BUY
Pros:
Cons:
- Everything
- Fuzzy picture
- Slow response
- Installation issues
required an update from the web
* SPECIAL NOTE:
I am told the newer 'Pro' series are far better. You will know them
by the fact that SightSpeed ships with the webcams.
Ratings coming soon:
Send us an
email 
Generally
available Webcams:
The following is not a complete list of webcams, but a sample of what is
generally available
Logitech
- QuickCam Pro 5000
- QuickCam for Notebooks - newer model
- QuickCam Fusion
- QuickCam Orbit MP
- QuickCam Pro 4000
- QuickCam for Notebooks
- QuickCam Orbit V-UU22
- QuickCam Communicate
- QuickCam Messenger
- ClickSmart 510
- QuickCam Express
- QuickCam Pro 3000
- QuickCam Web
- QuickCam Zoom
Creative Labs
- WebCam Live Motion
- WebCam NX Ultra
- WebCam Pro eX
- WebCam Live
- WebCam Live Pro
- Webcam Instant
- WebCam Pro
- WebCam NX Pro
- Webcam Notebook
Ezonics
- EZ Cam III Pro
- EZ Video Chat Kit Pro
- iContact Pro
- EZ Mini-Cam
D-Link
- VisualStream High Resolution USB Webcam - DSB-C310
- VisualStream USB Webcam - DSB-C110
Veo
- Velocity Connect $79.99
- Mobile Connect $59.99
- Advanced Connect $49.99
- Connect $29.99
- Stingray $29.99
Apple
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