Webcam Reviews, Best Webcams, Laptop Webcam Reviews

Budget webcam

If you don't need fancier features like face-tracking and enhanced audio, reviews say the Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000 is the best inexpensive webcam for casual video chats. It has 640-by-480-pixel resolution for video… (better than the typical 352 pixels by 288 pixels on the cheapest webcams), and a 1.3-megapixel sensor. The Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000 performs much better in low light than other cameras in its price class. It has an integrated microphone and a unique, flexible base that can clip on to more surfaces than some other webcam mounts, but users say it works better sitting on a desktop or table; some report that it's not that secure perched on a laptop. It's compatible with Windows XP and Vista.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

CowboyFrank.net: Frank Harrell's review of the LifeCam VX-5000 isn't as detailed as some of his other webcam reviews, but still manages to bring ...

PCMag.com: Reviewer John Brandon is impressed with the image quality of the LifeCam VX-5000, stating that in basic chats it rivals the ...

CNET: CNET covers webcams in single-product reviews. Discussion covers important considerations, but it falls short of some other ...

TrustedReviews.com: Britain's TrustedReviews.com covers webcams in occasional single-product reports. The reviews are generally competent. This brief ...

Pocket-Lint.co.uk: Pocket-lint.co.uk is a prolific and up-to-date reviewer of webcams, although reviews are light on testing and offer few ...

BenchmarkReviews.com: BenchmarkReviews.com tests webcams occasionally, providing good sample photos of the various models and camera image quality; ...

Amazon.com: Most of the almost 100 reviews at Amazon.com are positive for the Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000. Even owners who give it an average ...

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Best webcam overall

Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000

*Est. $80 Compare Prices

Reviewers agree that the QuickCam Pro 9000 produces the best image quality of any webcam -- but at a high price. The Carl Zeiss glass Tessar optical system produces clearer images than other webcams. This camera is… capable of capturing video at up to 1,600 pixels by 1,200 pixels and 30 frames per second for crisp, smooth transmissions. Reviews say that RightLight 2, RightSound and face-tracking features help optimize video and audio quality, and the bundled software package includes a variety of filters and video effects. The QuickCam Pro 9000 is Windows-compatible only, but Logitech makes a similar Mac-only webcam, the QuickCam Vision Pro (*est. $120).

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Expert & User Review Sources:

PCMag.com: This review of the QuickCam Pro 9000 is thorough, balanced and comparative. Rick Broida declares that he's boxing up his other ...

CNET: In this comprehensive, detailed and comparative review, Matthew Elliott favors the QuickCam Pro 9000 over other Logitech webcams, ...

CowboyFrank.net: Frank Harrell demonstrates great responsiveness to his readers when he edits his review of the QuickCam Pro 9000 - which he deems ...

Pocket-Lint.co.uk: Pocket-lint.co.uk uses a 10-point rating system to rank webcams; the QuickCam Pro 9000 earns nine out of 10. Reviewer Stuart ...

WebUser.com: Concise and not particularly comparative, Webuser.com provides a no-frills summary of the QuickCam Pro 9000. Testing is not ...

Amazon.com: Hundreds of Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 users have contributed to Amazon.com's review pages; of these, the vast majority gives the ...

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IDEdge ID Card Printers

Laptop webcam

Logitech QuickCam Pro for Notebooks

*Est. $80 Compare Prices

Most webcams come with a stand that you can hang on a monitor or position on a desktop. This Logitech USB webcam is designed specifically for PC notebooks, with a spring-loaded clip that easily clamps to most laptop… screens. The top-rated QuickCam Pro for Notebooks has a good integrated microphone, an autofocus Carl Zeiss glass lens for very good image quality and a 2-megapixel image sensor that's capable of capturing video at resolutions of up to 960 pixels by 720 pixels. A face-tracking feature keeps your face in the center of the image, even if you move around, and Logitech's RightLight 2 and RightSound technologies optimize audio and video performance in all conditions.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

EverythingUSB.com: Eric Hansen produces an outstanding comprehensive review that is copiously illustrated with photos and screenshots. Hansen holds ...

LaptopLogic.com: LaptopLogic.com's evaluation of the QuickCam Pro for Notebooks is one of the most comprehensive and detailed available. ...

CowboyFrank.net: Frank Harrell provides a detailed, well-balanced review of the Logitech QuickCam Pro for Notebooks. His criticisms seem strong in ...

CNET: This CNET review blasts the design of the QuickCam Pro for Notebooks as "clunky," but is willing to forgive these missteps due to ...

Laptop Magazine: Dana Wollman's review is one of the shortest we found on the QuickCam Pro for Notebooks; even so, Wollman manages to provide some ...

Amazon.com: The Logitech QuickCam Pro for Notebooks gets generally good reviews from about 50 users at Amazon.com, but most users complain ...

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