Webcams have become an essential product for many as it permits face-to-face conversations with your friends or loved ones abroad. For laptop owners, they provide better image quality than their integrated cameras. These days, USB webcams come in many sizes, shapes and different features that you may or may not need. Several models even have built-in effects if you want to add spice to your usual, boring conversations. At IntelliReview, we make buying the best webcam easier. Our unique ranking algorithm picks the most popular webcams on the market using numerous reviews from many different websites. The number of positive and negative reviews then determines the ranking of each product. Using this power of the social web, we offer a refreshing and valuable look at how to spend your money wisely when purchasing a webcam online. While other websites give listings of all their products sorted by price or a raw number of reviews or ratings, IntelliReview goes beyond that to "cherry pick" the leading models available. Start shopping below, knowing you are only dealing with quality products which provide excellent value.
Pros: High definition webcam capable of 720p video calls, Integrates with Skype, Automatic image correction
Cons: Full HD only works with video recording, Effective range of around 4 feet from camera
Review: Video conferencing has taken the next step forward with the introduction of the Logitech C910. It offers high-definition recording of up to 1080p Full HD widescreen and Web streaming resolutions of up to 720p that can work with standard broadband connections and most major IM programs. In particular, this webcam works great in conjunction with Skype, which supports 720p video calling. A smooth autofocus system working in tandem with a 5-megapixel HD image sensor and a Carl Zeiss professional series lens keep images sharp while the built-in premium stereo microphones filter out ambient noise for clearer sound. It can also take still images up to high 10 megapixels. The RightLight 2 technology senses and automatically compensates for environmental lighting conditions. The Logitech C910 latches on to monitor tops using a sort of friction-style clip that can be removed easily if needed. A USB jack connects it to the computer and two blue lights around the lens switch on to indicate operation. The software bundled with this webcam is equally impressive, as it has Logitech Vid HD software for easy video calling and a 60-day trial version of Logitech's face-recognition software that allows for logging in without having to type in passwords. Although it will work with requirements as low as a 1GHz processor, 512 MB of RAM and 200MB of disk space as well as a basic Internet connection, using the HD features call for heavier hardware needs like a 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of RAM, a 1Mbps upload speed or higher and 1280x720 screen resolution topping the list. Fortunately, most modern computers on either Windows or Mac operating systems are capable of handling the C910. It has a reasonable range limited to about four feet but anything beyond that is blurred. Also, the use of 1080p is restricted to video recording. This may handicap the webcam in terms of features, but then again, with the limited number of high-end HD webcams on the market, this one already gets top marks based on its features.