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Webcams: Ratings of Sources
Total of 19 Sources

For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.

1. CowboyFrank.net
As of Apr. 2009
Webcam Reviews
by Frank Harrell
5 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

This enthusiast website reviews more webcams and is more up-to-date than any other review source. Frank Harrell is the only reviewer that includes a set of standardized test photos in various lighting… conditions for each web camera. The sample photos are compared to a control photo shot with a digital single-lens reflex. Reviews are highly comparative, and also address more mundane aspects of evaluation, such as mounting hardware. The Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 is the best webcam overall, with smooth video, good face-tracking and very good images. The Logitech QuickCam Pro for Notebooks is the best portable choice, though Harrell warns high frame rates can be a drain on your notebook's processing power. The Logitech QuickCam Communicate STX is Harrell's pick under $50.

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2. Which? (UK)
As of Apr. 2009
Webcams
by Editors of Which?
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

British consumer magazine Which? publishes comparison charts, but it doesn't offer much explanation. Still, the reviews are mainly up-to-date, comparative and backed by practical testing. Each webcam is… assigned a rating and score. Logitech's QuickCam Pro 9000 and QuickCam Pro for Notebooks are highly rated for their features and versatility. The Creative Live! Cam Optia AF also gets a high rating, while the Microsoft LifeCam VX-7000 and Philips SPC1300NC rate poorly due to quirks such as grainy image quality for close-ups and problematic software, respectively.

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3. WebUser
As of Apr. 2009
Webcams Round Up
by Andy Shaw
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment WebUser reviews tend to be short and aren't documented with illustrations, but otherwise, they are very good. Each webcam is rated for features, performance, ease of use and value for money -- then they're given an overall rating. The Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 and the discontinued Philips SPC1300NC receive the highest possible rating.
4. PCMag.com
Feb. 8, 2008
Webcam Nation
by Rick Broida
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment In this head-to-head review roundup, Rick Broida compares five previously reviewed webcams. Links are provided to individual reviews that include editor's ratings. Slideshows of test images augment the reports. Of the QuickCam Pro 9000, Broida comments that "there's no reason to consider any other webcam." The Hercules Deluxe Optical Glass fares well as a low-cost option.
5. PCMag.com
Sept. 12, 2008
Keep in Touch
by Jennifer L. DeLeo
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Various teleconferencing options geared toward college students and their families are discussed in this roundup. Two previously-reviewed webcams are recommended, the Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 for overall use, and the Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000 as a more budget-conscious option. Both entries are linked to PCMag's full reviews.
6. CNET
As of Apr. 2009
Webcams
by Editors of CNET
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

CNET covers webcams in single product reviews. Discussion covers important considerations, but it falls short of some other reviewers. Installation and performance are generally described well. Products are… rated, and consumers can weigh in with their own opinions, which sometimes are at odds with the professional reviews. In both editor and user reviews, the Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 has the highest rating. The Logitech QuickCam Pro for Notebooks ranks second with editors, but does more poorly in user reviews.

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7. PC World (Australia)
As of Apr. 2009
Webcams
by Editors of PC World
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Australian PC World, and sister publication Good Gear Guide, review a few webcams per year. Reviews are brief, though there is some reference made to performance and cost relative to competing models. However, all webcams receive a star rating between three and four (out of five), making objective comparison difficult. The Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 is top-rated.
8. TrustedReviews.com
As of Apr. 2009
Webcams
by Benny Har-Even, Lars-Göran Nilsson
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Britain's TrustedReviews.com covers webcams in occasional single-product reports. The reviews are generally competent. Overall and sub-ratings are provided, so readers can see for themselves where each webcam stands compared to the competition. However, webcams don't get their own category -- the only way to find reviews is to search for them, making browsing difficult.
9. EverythingUSB.com
As of Apr. 2009
USB Webcams
by Eric Hanson and Scott Clark
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment EverythingUSB.com tests and reviews webcams; photos and videos enhance the veracity of the comprehensive, excellent reviews. However, this specialty website does not provide ratings or rankings. In addition, using the site is tricky -- an apparent landing page does not link to the latest reviews, which means that searching for webcams is a visitor's best approach.
10. Pocket-Lint.co.uk
As of Apr. 2009
Webcam Reviews
by Editors of Pocket-lint
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Pocket-lint.co.uk is a prolific and up-to-date reviewer of webcams. However, the site is difficult to use, as webcams don't have their own category, so you'll have to search to find the latest reviews. Logitech's QuickCam Pro 9000 and discontinued QuickCam Ultra Vision score equally well and lead the pack for all-around best performance.
11. BenchmarkReviews.com
As of Apr. 2009
Webcams
by Editors of Benchmark Reviews
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment BenchmarkReviews.com tests only three webcams, one of which is now discontinued, but provides good sample photos from the various models to show camera image quality; specifications of the computer systems on which the cameras are tested are also provided. All three webcams receive similarly high praise and scores. Reviews are not comparative.
12. Laptop Magazine
As of Apr. 2009
Webcam Ratings
by Editors of Laptop
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Laptop magazine reviews webcams on occasion. While ratings are given, the discussion is rather short. Of currently available models reviewed, the best rating and an Editors' Choice award is given to the Logitech QuickCam Pro for Notebooks. It's praised for excellent video and audio performance, ease of use, fun features, sturdy design and portability.
13. LaptopLogic.com
As of Apr. 2009
Webcam Reviews
by Editors of LaptopLogic.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

LaptopLogic.com includes webcam reviews in its Mobile Gear product review section. Unfortunately, the only webcams reviewed are Logitech products. Reviews are detailed and include a large number of… photographs demonstrating webcam capabilities and functions. The reviews are non-comparative, but each product is rated. Currently, the highest rating is given to the Logitech QuickCam Pro for Notebooks, which is reported to have outstanding video and audio quality, fun effects and good software performance.

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14. HardwareGeeks.com
Apr. 6, 2008
Review: HP Elite Autofocus (w1707) Webcam
by "Michael"
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

This blog review on the HardwareGeeks.com website is one of the few reports on the HP Elite Autofocus (w1707) webcam. The contributor provides no overall comparison to other webcams on the market and does… not rate or rank the HP Elite Autofocus in any way. The review is very detailed and highly complimentary of the webcam itself, but less generous with the accompanying ArcSoft software bundle. Comments from other users at the site echo the same sentiment. The author states that the HP Elite Autofocus is a great webcam. However, in comparison to the Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000, he "can't honestly say one is better than the other."

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15. TestFreaks.com
As of Apr. 2009
Find the Best Web Cameras
by Editors of TestFreaks.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

TestFreaks.com compiles reviews from users and professional review sites, and ranks products within brands and categories. However, owner reviews are not always very specific, and owner ratings on the scale… of ten are sometimes unjustifiably low or high. Expert reviews cited here are in a number of languages in addition to English. Right now, the best reviews to go the Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000, Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000 and Hercules Dualpix.

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16. Hardware-Pacers.com
As of Apr. 2009
Webcams
by
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment HardwarePacers.com has reviewed four webcams in the last two years, all Microsoft webcams. Reviews are non-comparative, and mostly list specifications and features. However, many sample videos and screenshots of software installation are provided. All webcams rate over nine out of ten on all features, casting doubt on the objectivity of the otherwise comprehensive ratings.
17. Amazon.com
As of Apr. 2009
Webcams and Network Cameras
by Contributors to Amazon.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Amazon.com carries many webcams from the leading brands, and most earn lots of owner-written reviews. The average rating range is too small to find obvious distinctions. In general, however, Logitech and Microsoft webcams have higher ratings than Creative webcams, though most products rate fairly well. This source is most useful once you've narrowed your choices down to two or three models.
18. PriceGrabber.com
As of Apr. 2009
Webcams
by Contributors to PriceGrabber.com
1 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment PriceGrabber.com is a price comparison site that also posts user ratings on products. Due to lower overall volume, user reviews here are less helpful than those at Amazon.com. As at Amazon.com, Logitech and Microsoft rate more highly than competing brands.
19. ConsumerGuide.com
As of Apr. 2009
Webcam Stuff Guide
by Editors of ConsumerGuide.com
1 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Consumer Guide periodically reviews webcams. These short reviews are almost entirely limited to descriptions of features. Lists of pros, cons and both overall and subcategory ratings are the only indications of possible testing.

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