I have now bought a good handful of Webcam’s over the years and learned a few things along the way such as not all are created equal and the resolution is not the guiding test mark. The Cheapest end of the market is normally found in supermarkets and these can cost almost next to nothing – if you check the specs on the side they will use a CMOS len’s and run at a max of 320×240 type of thing (they may go high by using software to multiply the pixels).

300kpixels cmos colour sensor
video capture 640+480 pixels
still image capture up to 640+480 pixels
30 frame rate per second
auto white balance
auto electronic exposure
auto gain compensation

Suitable for Windows 2000 & XP

The above will come in at £2.49 for example and sounds fine for video conference right? The true fact is the image quality will be the worst ever, very grainy and dark and you will probably end off throwing this away, you don’t get something for nothing. If we step up the price point now and specs – what about the £11 model at your local Aldi:

* 30 picture/second for ideal video performance (VGA Mode 640 × 480 pixels)
* Built-in microphone
* Headset
* Dynamic range <72Db
* Sensor size: ¼”
* Focus range: 5cm
* Auto white balance and colour compensation
* Easy installation and configuration
* Intelligent face tracking
* Snapshot button
* 2 designs to choose from magnetic and LED Light versions
* Plug and play compatible
* Connection and power source via USB interface
* Includes driver and application software on CD-ROM
* System requirements: Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP
* 24 Bit, 16.7 million RGB true colour
* Wide angle lens

Sounds great, 1.3MP and all that jazz – with this much higher resolution the picture should be great? Well its better then the £2.49 I agree but not approaching the likes of the Microsoft or Logitech one’s that’s for sure. OK I hear you say – what about the top end of the market – the £69 one’s you may have seen – these must be good right? Well of course the answer is yet with there Karl Zeus Lens, auto everything and high reselution, these will produce the best picture but before you just go off and buy one of these, here is a few thoughts:

1. A DV Camcorder can be bought these days for the same price as the high end webcams, if your machine has Firewire – maybe this would be the better route to go and yes I agree these do not sit on top of your monitor etc but if your streaming a lot – this is the best solution.

2. Most streaming will be at 320×240 – the higher reseltion is only good for recording a video for say Youtube or whatever.

3. Even a Named brand with 2MP can turn out to be crap if the lighting is bad (such as the Microsoft NX-6000).

4. Look for bargin’s in the computer stores, a camera that was normally £70 and now £25 means you get a lot for your money (with the likes of the Creative Optiva Pro).

5. Compare prices online – while a camera in the Store might be £70, it can be bought online for Half that price.