Ecamm Network iMage Review

What the reviewers like:
The price of the Ecamm Network iMage is relatively inexpensive considering the lack of other options for Mac owners. Reviews say this webcam is very compact and steadily mounts to laptops. It is driverless, and works seamlessly with most non-Apple applications (drivers are required for many Mac applications).

What the reviewers don't like:
Although the Ecamm Network iMage webcam is touted as driverless, you have to download and install a patch to get it to work with most Apple applications. Reviews say video quality isn’t very good; it’s grainy and the frame rate is low. It doesn’t work in low light, and the Ecamm webcam does not come with a microphone.

Ecamm Network iMage review highlights

The Ecamm Network iMage webcam was probably developed to be a budget alternative to Apple's now-discontinued iSight webcam. Most reviewers agree that the Ecamm iMage has mediocre but adequate video quality. If you own a Macintosh with OS X and without an integrated webcam, the iMage is the simplest option. Alternatives require downloading iffy third-party software and drivers, and having technical confidence.

We found half-a-dozen very similar reviews of the Ecamm Network iMage webcam for Windows and Mac (*est. $60). The best reviews work from the basis that Macintosh owners have few options in webcams. The MacMerc.com review covers all options, although not in any detail. ArsTechnica.com has the most detailed coverage of the iMage webcam. MacLife, The Mac Observer and AAUG Reviews all have short reviews with ratings.

Also see full report: Webcams

*In order of credibility (see our Ratings Criteria).

1. MacMerc.com
Review: Ecamm iMage Webcam
Brian Burnham
Nov.19, 2006

This short review is as comparative as possible, given that the iMage lacks a direct competitor. Brian Burnham briefly touches on the alternatives and rates the Ecamm iMage. He does a superb job of positioning this otherwise middling product.

2. Arstechnica.com
Mini-review: iMage Webcam for Mac
Jeff Smykil
Nov. 6, 2006

In this single product review, Jeff Smykil admits he has no recent experience with other webcams. He also doesn’t know that the Apple iSight was recently discontinued at the time of the review, so he is not considering the Ecamm iMage as a product without a competitor. Instead, he treats it as a budget alternative.

3. MacLife.com
iMage Webcam Review
Roman Loyola
Jan. 31, 2007

This very short review notes the disappearance of the Apple iSight, and presents the Ecamm iMage as an alternative. Video quality isn’t addressed at all, but otherwise, Roman Loyola competently describes setup and use. He charts pros and cons of the Ecamm iMage.

4. The Mac Observer
Review - iMage USB Webcam
Jeff Gamet
Jan. 8, 2007

This short review is nearly identical to the MacLife review. It is the only review we found that includes a sample photo. Reviewer Jeff Gamet says, "The image wasn't broadcast quality, but it was perfectly fine for Internet-based chats: Not blurry, jumpy or full of pixelated artifacts." The photo suggests otherwise. It has a strong red tint and is blurry.

5. AAUG Reviews
Ecamm iMage USB Webcam Review
Tim Thomas
Dec. 15, 2006

Tim Thomas offers the most favorable and enthusiastic review of the Ecamm iMage. He presents it as a budget alternative to the Apple iSight, not realizing that the iSight is no longer sold. He compares the two units in several ways, but doesn't compare performance.

Also see full report: Webcams