Webcams: Reviews

Updated August 2011

Standalone webcams are fast being eclipsed by those built into laptops, phones and iPads. But the latest desktop webcams feature high definition, widescreen video and advanced lenses for improved video quality. We investigated to see how well these features hold up -- and whether they’re necessary at all. As more than 20 expert and owner sources (including hundreds of user reviews) reveal, it all depends how you plan to use your webcam.

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Best HD webcam

Logitech HD Pro Webcam C910

*Est. $65 Compare Prices

Compatible with both Windows and Mac computers and laptops, Logitech's HD Pro Webcam C910 offers full high-definition 1080p video recording, as well as video chatting in 720p resolution. Reviews applaud its excellent… expandsound quality, with noise suppression, as well as its realistic image quality. The webcam has a 10-megapixel sensor for taking still shots, which can be uploaded with one click to Facebook, Twitter and the like. A favorite of professional and user reviewers alike, the C910 webcam's face-tracking feature and facial recognition software add to its popularity. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

TopTenReviews.com: Missing out on a higher ranking because of its price, the Logitech HD Pro Webcam C910 comes in fourth place out of 10.

PCMag.com: The Logitech HD Pro Webcam C910 wins the Editors' Choice award for webcams at PCMag.com.

TechRadar.com: The Logitech HD Pro Webcam C910 wins TechRadar.com's award for the best webcam for the Mac, as its sound and video give a "stellar performance." Its one-click video upload to Facebook and YouTube receives a special mention.

Amazon.com: The contributors at Amazon.com rave about the Logitech HD Pro Webcam C910, awarding it an average of 4.5 stars out of 5.

PC World: Leah Yamshon awards the Logitech HD Pro Webcam C910 a high 4.5 stars out of 5, highlighting its "crystal clear" 1080p video quality.

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Buy from Amazon for $70.88
UnbeatableS- ale, Inc. for $117.71	eBay for $61.99	CompuVest for $94.61

Best budget HD webcam

Microsoft LifeCam Cinema

*Est. $25 Compare Prices

Despite its low price. Microsoft's LifeCam Cinema webcam provides excellent high-definition video (720p) at 30 frames-per-second as well as light-correcting technology, and a built-in microphone. Its rich HD picture is… expandhighly recommended for video chats by reviewers, who also praise its sleekly styled aluminum case. The webcam doesn't have noise-canceling technology, so it will be harder to use in an environment with ambient noise. And it lacks the ability to easily upload stills to social media sites. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

TopTenReviews.com: Microsoft's LifeCam Cinema webcam earns third place in this site's 2011 webcam review.

BenchmarkReviews.com: Hank Tolman includes the LifeCam Cinema in his review of five webcams.

PCMag.com: Jamie Lendino, one of the resident reviewers at PCMag.com, gives the Microsoft LifeCam Cinema webcam a 3.5 out of 5 ranking.

Amazon.com: More than 400 customer reviewers at Amazon.com love their Microsoft LifeCam Cinema webcam, awarding it an average of 4.5 stars out of a maximum of 5.

BestBuy.com: The reviews at BestBuy.com for Microsoft's LifeCam Cinema are similar to those at Amazon.com, with 87 percent of the reviewers stating they would recommend it to a friend.

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Buy from Amazon for $63.31
UnbeatableS- ale, Inc. for $68.90	HP Direct for $79.99	Dell for $69.99

Budget webcam for Mac users

Logitech HD Webcam C310

*Est. $30 Compare Prices

With Mac-only webcams dying out, Windows/Mac compatible models are the way to go for Apple users. The Logitech HD Webcam C310 provides Mac users with very good sound and video qualities, according to reviews. It earns its… expandplace in roundups of the best webcams through its affordable price and HD (720p) technology. Reviewers agree that is a great webcam for video chatting. The C310 has a 5-megapixel sensor for taking photos. For more features and full HD video, the Logitech HD Pro Webcam C910 is also Mac compatible. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

TopTenReviews.com: The editors at TopTenReviews.com place the Logitech HD Webcam C310 in the middle of the pack.

CNET: Justin Yu says that the Logitech HD Webcam C310 installs quickly and easily, and the RightSound microphone boosts audio clarity while subduing background noise.

BestBuy.com: Of the more than 200 contributors at BestBuy.com who rated the Logitech HD Webcam C310, three quarters give it 4 or 5 stars and a staggering 98 percent would recommend it to a friend.

Amazon.com: Contributors at Amazon.com are enthusiastic in their support of the Logitech HD Webcam C310.

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