Gone are the days when you would simply settle for grainy, low resolution web cameras. In the dawn of modern day communication, you want nothing short of the best especially when it comes to video chatting online. And yet, as with many other things, better quality usually entails more money; but not so with Logitech HD Webcam C510. At $59.99, C510 is definitely a smart-buy.

 

720p HD-Quality

 

C510 may not be able to compete against the very expensive 1080p HD cameras in the market, but with 720p, it can already give you that ultimate user experience. The webcam can take extremely clear images — be it for your own good or not, it can capture every blemish and every facial line. It can also produce even toned and crisp videos even in moderately dim rooms.

 

However, it should be noted that a HD camera works best when used with a HD monitor. You also need to consider the hardware requirements C510 to have a true HD video calling experience (i.e. 2GD RAM along with the appropriate processor). Images captured by C510 remain to be impressive even if you are not using a HD monitor. Images are taken at 8 megapixels in maximum, pretty much like some point-and-shoot digital cameras these days.

 

Software and Sound Quality

 

C510 is a plug-and-play webcam. This means that you don’t have to install any software or application to start using the camera. However, it does come with an optional software utility which installs in a matter of minutes. The software allows you to upload to various social-networking sites with just one click. The software has some special features too. You can use it to add various effects to your videos and pictures. This feature is very popular among Facebook and YouTube users.

 

The webcam also comes with a high-quality, noise-suppressant microphone. The microphone can capture static-free sound which makes it perfect for Skype, FB Chat and some other instant messengers. If you don’t use these IMs, you can also try the video-calling program that comes with the Logitech software.

 

But if you are looking for a cheaper alternative, you may try the HDE USB webcam. It costs less than $10 each.
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PRO:

 

1. High-definition 720p video at 30 fps

2. Sofware package for video tweaking and 3D effects

3. Stable and flexible base

4. Affordable

 

CON:

 

1. Camera CPU problems for pictures/videos taken at higher resolutions

2. Not compatible with Mac OS

3. Auto-focus is unstable

 

CONCLUSION:

 

If you are after HD-quality but don’t want to spend too much, then Microsoft LifeCam HD-5000 is an excellent choice. Even though you may encounter some system problems when capturing at a higher resolution, this camera is still better than most of the webcams available in the market at this price range. This camera is highly recommended to those who desire to improve their video-chatting experience.

 

OUR REVIEW:

 

Microsoft has guaranteed a real upgrade from the common stock web cameras currently saturating the market nowadays upon their release of LifeCam HD-5000. This webcam is actually the desktop version of the more expensive HD-6000 which is intended for laptops and other mobile devices. HD-5000 is generally designed for desktops which have gaming specs so one can definitely expect it to have problems especially when its 3D effects software is used.

 

At first glance, HD-5000 and HD-6000 have the same physical appearance: glossy-black with a button on its top to accesss Windows Messenger instantly. However, further inspection will reveal the little details that set apart HD-5000 from HD-6000. HD-6000 is lighter and smaller than HD-5000 primarily because it is designed for laptops. Moreover, since HD-5000 is really intended for desktop usage, its USB cable is longer than that of HD-6000 (since the top of desktop monitors covers a long distance from the CPU in most setups). HD-5000 has a stationary while HD-6000 has a mounted base that is capable of a full 360-degree swivel.

 

HD-5000 also has a bundled software utility which has to be installed first before the camera can be used. Users are advised to check for driver updates before actually using the camera for a better experience.
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