Live communication with friends and relatives, videoconferencing and online workshops - these phenomena have recently become commonplace. A home webcam is present in the house for almost everyone, but how much do we know about its technical characteristics? This rating will explain what to look for when buying a webcam. To simplify your choice, we have selected the most successful models from popular manufacturers in terms of image quality and ergonomics.
Content:
- Which company's webcam to choose
- The best desktop webcams
- The best professional webcams
- The best webcams for laptop
- What webcam to buy
Which company's webcam to choose
A4Tech
The A4Tech brand is very popularin our country and is on the Russian market one of the most massive. Webcams A4Tech are considered the best purchase in terms of value for money.
Genius
Under the trademark Genius, the products of the Taiwanese company KYE Systems are produced. A wide range of Genius webcams is represented not only by devices with basic functions, but also by ultramodern cameras that meet the latest technological standards. The manufacturer pays special attention to the design of web cameras and ergonomics.
Logitech
The Swiss manufacturer of computer peripherals is rightly considered the main innovator of the whole industry. If you want to acquire the best webcam from the point of view of technical equipment, start searching from the model line of this particular brand. Price list for Logitech products is above average, but high quality is always in price.
Microsoft
In most cases, Microsoft is known to PC users for its software development and the Xbox game console. But the design and production of computer peripherals is also on the company's list of priorities. Microsoft webcams are characterized by high image quality, and the LifeCam series is very popular among computer enthusiasts.
SVEN
The Finnish manufacturer of multimedia devices and computer peripherals is the leader in the budgetary price segment. The company offers affordable webcams without redundant functionality, but differing in good build quality and original design.
The best desktop webcams
Desktop modification of web cameras allows you to install the device on a horizontal surface or on the upper end of the LCD monitor, thereby selecting the best angle for shooting. This type of camera is in demand for home users of stationary PCs and is the most popular.
The most popular home model of the
The excellent technical characteristics of the Logitech HD C270 webcam with a relatively modest price tag made it possible to win this model a great popularity among home users. Advantages:
- high quality pictures at a sufficient level of illumination;
- good sound level from the built-in microphone;
- video in HD with stable 30 frames;
- easy installation of drivers;
- compatibility with MacOS and Linux operating systems;
- the cost of the camera is adequate to its technical capabilities.
Disadvantages:
- floppy mount to the monitor;
- occasionally appear "suspending" the video;
- image noise in low light.
Positive feedback from owners of the Logitech HD C270 allow us to classify this model as a webcam with the optimal set of functions necessary for home use.
Webcam with the best characteristics of
If you evaluate the device from a functional point of view, Microsoft LifeCam Studio bypasses its closest competitors in a number of parameters.
Advantages:
- with Full HD resolution, the camera retains high picture quality even on a large( 3-4 meters) focal length;
- level of illumination does not affect the quality of shooting;
- pure stereo sound from the built-in microphone;
- is an easy, high-quality assembly;
- the ability to rotate the camera at 3600;The
- driver is automatically installed when the device is connected.
Disadvantages:
- slow-running autofocus;
- proprietary software is designed to work only in HD mode;
- high cost.
Reviews of owners of Microsoft LifeCam Studio are exceptionally positive. The camera's capabilities are consistent with its high price tag.
The most affordable home webcam
Among models of the budgetary price segment SVEN IC-350 stands out good technical equipment, sufficient for home use.
Advantages:
- low cost of the camera;
- bright, not devoid of originality design;
- reliable attachment to the monitor;
- simple setting of operating parameters;
- video features are sufficient for communication in Skype;
- resolution of photos using the interpolation function reaches 3200 × 2400 pixels.
Disadvantages:
- there is no autofocus, only manual adjustment is available;
- short cable for connection to PC;
- small viewing angles of the lens;
- when shooting in the evening hours, the noise of the matrix is manifested.
Based on customer feedback, the SVEN IC-350 has the necessary set of basic functions that can meet the needs of most users.
The best professional webcams
Recently, the webcam is used not only as a tool for communicating with friends, but also for professional purposes. Conducting videoconferences and video streaming imposes special demands on the quality of the picture and the functionality of the camera.
Webcam with the best ratio of available features and the cost of the
The A4Tech PK-910H is enough for video conferencing, presentations and communication with colleagues and employees at a professional level. This model provides the broadcasting of video images in Full HD format, preserving the clarity of the image and the smoothness of the change of frames.
Advantages:
- excellent sensitivity of the sensor;
- good sound transmission at a great distance from the microphone;
- qualitative assembly of the case;
- presence of the built in illumination;
- reliable attachment to the end of the monitor with the ability to rotate the camera;
- automatic driver installation;
- low cost.
Disadvantages:
- in order to achieve high image quality, additional camera setup is required;
- short connection cable to PC;
- no hardware zoom( zoom).
Predominantly positive feedback on the A4Tech PK-910H allows it to be attributed to professional entry-level devices.
The most popular professional webcam
The Logitech HD Webcam C615 model has everything you need for professional use and broadcast video in Full HD format.
Advantages:
- high quality video series under any shooting conditions;
- clear sound of the microphone;
- hardware image noise reduction;
- convenient firmware with a lot of additional features;
- compatibility with Linux MacOS operating systems;
- build quality;
- technical support from the manufacturer.
Disadvantages:
- cost of the device;
- is sometimes difficult to install in the working position.
The functionality of the Logitech HD Webcam C615 webcam matches the current requirements for video streaming. At the user's service is stable transmission of high-resolution video and tools for fine-tuning the device.
The best webcams for notebooks
Despite the fact that most modern laptops are equipped with a built-in webcam, its capabilities, in view of the design features, are not always enough. The webcam for a laptop, first of all, should be compact and convenient for carrying in a bag or a cover.
The most affordable webcam for a laptop
For a simple replacement of the camera built into the laptop, which will be used for periodic video calls, the Genius Slim 1322AF is best suited.
Advantages:
- compact, well-assembled body;
- is a very affordable price tag;
- data transmission over USB 2.0;
- video quality is higher than in most budget devices;
- autofocus function;
- unusual design.
Disadvantages:
- drop in video quality when there is insufficient lighting;
- sluggish autofocus;
- fastening weakly grips the base.
Judging by the reviews, the capabilities of the Genius Slim 1322AF fully meet the stated specifications. The device is perfect for everyday use with a laptop.
The Most Popular Webcam for the
Notebook If you need more than a budget camera from a compact webcam, consider the Logitech Webcam C170.
Advantages:
- compact body dimensions;
- high quality optics;
- compatibility with all common video conferencing protocols, including Jabber;
- wide viewing angles;
- photosensitive matrix, natural color transfer;
- is an affordable price.
Disadvantages:
- slow focusing no more than 1.5 meters( uncritical when used with a laptop);
- problems with white balance.
The Logitech Webcam C170 does not just replace the weak built-in laptop camera: its capabilities are comparable to professional devices. The webcam provides a quality video image at any resolution and lighting level.
Which web camera to buy
1. For periodic calls via Skype, the average user will have enough SVEN IC-350 capabilities.
2. A bit more, you can buy the Logitech HD C270 - it has a more modern type of matrix and image quality is more stable.
3. If you are actively using a laptop in which there is no webcam or its capabilities leave much to be desired, appreciate the Genius Slim 1322AF - a compact device that you can always take with you.
4. Users who use the webcam as a professional tool are perfectly suited for Logitech HD Webcam C615.