Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000 Review

What the reviewers like:
Most reviews of the Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000 say the price is moderate, and commensurate with performance. Experts say it is easy to set up and simple to use, and it's compatible with all major instant-messaging clients. It can pan, tilt, and zoom -- unusual in this price range.

What the reviewers don't like:
Depending on which review you read, the video quality of the Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000 is good, mediocre, or poor, but all agree it is poor in low light. The microphone is inadequate.

Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000 review highlights

Professional reviews of the Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000 web camera are generally disappointing. That’s partly because reviewers see it as an average product without outstanding strengths or glaring weaknesses. Specific criticisms include video quality that is only so-so and that a microphone that doesn’t pick up sound well. The Logitech QuickCam Communicate STX (*est. $45) is usually identified as a better but slightly more expensive choice, though critics are not overly enthusiastic about any webcam in this price range. Users are considerably kinder to the Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000 than the pros.

We found a number of professional and user reviews for the Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000 (*est. $35). Which? rates the Microsoft webcam alongside 13 others. Frank Harell at Cowboy Frank.net unenthusiastically rates the Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000 as a good pick in its price range. PC Magazine gives it a good rating, but disparages performance. Computeract!ve's reviewer reaches the same conclusion about audio and video quality, but says that adds up to an average Webcam at an average price. Owner reviews are more favorable for the Microsoft webcam than professional reviews.

Also see full report: Webcams

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

1. Computer Active
Review: Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000 Webcam
Jonathan Parkyn
Aug. 30, 2006

Although it’s short and not illustrated, Jonathan Parkyn’s review is very well balanced. He summarizes, "In all honesty, webcams aren’t known for their outstanding picture or sound and the VX-3000 is about average for a cam of its price."

2. CowboyFrank.net
Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000 Review
Frank Harell
Apr. 10, 2007

This enthusiast website reviews more webcams and is more up-to-date than any other review source. Frank Harell is the only reviewer to include a set of standardized test photos in various lighting conditions for each camera. In this very short review, Harell says the Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000 is worth its price, but not great.

3. Which.co.uk
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Which? Report: Webcams
Editors of Which.co.uk
Jan. 1, 2007

Like Consumer Reports, British consumer magazine Which? publishes comparison charts, but doesn’t offer much explanation. Still, the reviews are up-to-date, comparative, and backed with practical testing. Its latest test includes the Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000 in the ratings chart.

4. CircuitCity.com
Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000 Reviews
Contributors to CircuitCity.com

CircuitCity.com is a good spot for user reviews because product owners rate webcams in five categories as well as leave comments. The Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000 gets enough feedback for visitors to gain a realistic picture of how users feel about it after the sale. Like all user feedback sites, however, the quality of the reviews varies greatly.

5. PC Magazine
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Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000 Reviews
Molly K. McLaughlin
Aug. 23, 2006

PC Magazine has only reviewed two webcams in the past year. The two Microsoft Webcams reviewed in August are only compared with each other. The Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000 is rated higher than Molly McLaughlin’s conclusions suggest it should be.

Also see full report: Webcams

Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000 Review