Webcams

Go straight to our pick of 2009

External webcams are currently facing some stiff competition.  Apart from the very cheapest models, nearly all laptops now have a built-in camera.  Some monitor manufacturers also include webcams in an attempt to stand out.

Webcams have had to adapt to keep up.  The latest products combine ease-of use, low prices, built-in drivers and a much better quality image than built-in webcams.  As you move up through various ranges, you'll find useful features like autofocus, a wide-angle mode, and--if you're used to having conversations with a lot of people--improvements in microphone quality and even better image quality (sharper pictures, colour and management of a large range of light levels).

Technical advances in 2009 and changes to come in 2010

After TVs, the widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio spread to computer monitors and laptop screens.  Slowly but surely, webcams are following this trend.  Microsoft, for instance, only has one product in this ratio, but there should be more in 2010.

Meanwhile, the marketing departments of various webcam companies have been going into overdrive talking about the resolution of their webcams, which aren't, unfortunately, always a guarantee of a better quality image.

Is it really necessary to go for a huge resolution?  Today, the most common IM software is Microsoft's Live Messenger, which has around 78% of the global market share.  Despite the excellent quality of the video signals produced by today's webcams, the software limits video conferencing to 320 x 420 pixels in a window and 640 x 480 pixels in full screen mode.  The video stream is compressed and buffered to cope with Internet connection problems, which also limits the quality.  As a result, you don't even use half of the webcam's available capacity.  The only way to do that is to use specialist video software that comes with your webcam to reach a resolution of 1600 x 1200 pixels.  Unfortunately, though, a lot of users don't bother with this feature.

What we're most looking forward to, then, is an update of instant messaging software, and Live Messenger in particular.  We await to be able to get the most out of the 16:9 aspect ratio that will be available on newer webcams and the increased quality of the bigger sensors.

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Our Favourite
The best all-rounder: quality images, great colours and wide-angle

Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 MARCHANDS €     Pixmania  33.00  Dell for bu...  38.66  Amazon mark...  39.50  Amazon mark...  43.00  Dell for home  46.40  Amazon.co.uk  52.99  Compare prices

The Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 is a very good webcam.  It enjoys a wide-angle lens, a very detailed image and accurate colours.  It didn't trip up anywhere ...

Best value: Hercules Dualpix Exchange	Rechargeable: Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000	For a laptop Hercules Dualpix Infinite
At this price, we don't think we could find a sharper, faster, better webcam.  Its biggest problem?  The lack of autofocus …	If you use the Microsoft VX-5000 in full daylight, you'll be able to enjoy its excellent quality as well as the sound from the built-in microphone.  At night, however, it's a little too dark.	Just like its predecessors, the Dualpix Infinite is a very good webcam, despite a few small problems.  The autofocus really makes life easier.
Find the best price	MARCHANDS €     Amazon mark...  51.00  Compare prices

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Webcams at a glance:

	Video	Sound	Stand	Software Features
Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000
Hercules Dualpix Exchange
Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000
Hercules Dualpix Infinite

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