Ask Engadget: What's the best webcam for my PC?

It happens every year -- the holidays roll around, and you realize that you've missed out on chatting with some of your loved ones. They offer to video chat, and you have to politely decline while resorting to the not-nearly-as-personal telephone call. Trey's ready for a change:

"I'm looking for a webcam to connect to my desktop, preferably one with great video quality and at least decent capture abilities in low light. Size isn't too much of a factor, though I would obviously prefer it to be as small as possible with sacrificing quality. What's the best one out there?"

Don't deny it folks, we know you've got a favorite webcam when it comes to chatting with your undercover SO. Just give us the answer here -- no details about how you know it's the best are necessary. Oh, and feel free to hit us up with your own question at ask at engadget dawt com.

[Smoke_Dawg_187 @ Dec 4th 2008 11:49PM]

Xbox Live Vision Camera is pretty good.

[Neophytos @ Dec 5th 2008 1:22AM]

iSight, built-in of course.

[Griff @ Dec 5th 2008 2:37AM]

Sorry about my roommate...

[Konstantin @ Dec 5th 2008 2:44AM]

What?! Your webcam is not built into your laptop/desktop! That's like so 2005...

Seriously though, I like the Logitech's. Quick Cam Vision Pro if you can afford it.

[Neophytos @ Dec 5th 2008 2:51AM]

Steve Mobs told be to in a dream...

[Mic2000 @ Dec 5th 2008 4:22AM]

Agreed, I replace my old webcam with the XBOX Live Vision Cam, works great (Y)

[dreamer @ Dec 5th 2008 7:49AM]

to Neophytos: Dumbass....

[Platinum_Skeet @ Dec 5th 2008 12:27PM]

I own an Xbox Live cam and it's only compatible with MSN since I use yahoo I don't get much use out of it.... I would say a Logitech cam would be better.

[tuckers @ Dec 5th 2008 1:56PM]

I have tried many, and the Logitech QuickCam Orbit AF has a great picture in both low and high lighting. Lot's of pixels and details too. Plus you can control it, making lazy webcamming so much easier.

[sinlnse @ Jan 4th 2009 1:36AM]

i have logitech's orbit af and philips spc 1300nc. philips was $30.00 dlrs. cheaper and outperforms the orbit af. orbit has max. 30 fps philips has max 90 fps. the only good feature on the orbit is that it follows you; but even the sometimes it gets stuck not knowing where you are. i only used the orbit for 1 day. look for webcam with frames per second higher than 30 fps.

[Erb @ Dec 4th 2008 11:50PM]

"loved ones"... More like "Want to love ones"

xD

[Darius @ Dec 5th 2008 2:36AM]

I have a Logitech QuickCam 9000 Pro and it is awesome. It will sit anywhere you want, be it an LCD monitor or just sitting on your desk, and has great video quality. In addition, it works with Skype's "High quality video" system that makes you look sharper and clearer. Especially since it's only 60-70 dollars now, it's a great buy. Carl Zeiss optics and a great microphone, what's not to love?

Cheers,
Darius

[dasaint80 @ Dec 4th 2008 11:50PM]

a Good One??

[1234321 @ Dec 5th 2008 12:22AM]

I think this would qualify
a video input card, or a graphics card with VIVO
then a Red Camcorder hooked up to it
and then an Eye2Eye unit so you can talk face to face

but good luck gettin all that to stand atop an LCD Display

[DavidV @ Dec 5th 2008 3:13AM]

Clever Dan!

[Boards of Canada @ Dec 4th 2008 11:50PM]

Logitech! all the new ones with glass lenses... you cant go wrong. Quality is excellent, sound is clear, price is right and face reconition and hats tracking is fun fun fun for all the family!

[Kyrra @ Dec 5th 2008 12:06AM]

Could you be more specific with model numbers or anything?

[Dave @ Dec 5th 2008 12:26AM]

Yep - Logitech Quickcam Pro 9000 is awesome. Great quality, good audio, very rarely have feedback. The automatic lighting adjustments are great too. And if you're an idiot you can make your face look like a shark or george washington.

[Josh @ Dec 5th 2008 12:45AM]

My personal recommendation would be the Logitech QuickCam Orbit AF. It has all the features:

- Carl Zeiss glass lens
- 2 MP HD video recording
- 8 MP photos
- Motorized head tracking
- Auto focus
- Great low-light imaging
- Built-in mic
- Fun software with video effects

I've tried a few others personally and have seen some more in action. I can't stress enough how much better this one is, by far.

[TNash @ Dec 5th 2008 2:31AM]

Yeah, I have the 9000, I use it to talk to my girlfriend overseas, it's fantastic.

[gabe @ Dec 5th 2008 7:23AM]

i have the 9000 too - works great - very happy with it :)

[)ROFL( @ Dec 4th 2008 11:51PM]

Well, the camera built into my HP HDX is pretty awesome. It's optimized for low-light conditions and even has a built-in led light.

[Chase @ Dec 4th 2008 11:53PM]

Yes, because the built-in webcam on your laptop IS a good webcam for a desktop.

[)ROFL( @ Dec 4th 2008 11:57PM]

Yes Chase, you are correct. It is as good as a desktop webcam.

[)ROFL( @ Dec 5th 2008 12:11AM]

Yes, low rank me for a product you've never used. I assure you it isn't nearly as shitty as the ones built into your Dells. Or for that matter, any other notebook I've ever used.

[Nick Stropko @ Dec 5th 2008 12:14AM]

Gah, you just keep showing your stupidity. The question is a webcam FOR a desktop. The one built into your laptop does not even apply. Seriously, read the question.

-Stropko

[Wesley @ Dec 5th 2008 1:23AM]

I'm afraid your not getting his point ROFL.

The question being asked is asking for a good web-cam for this person's desktop pc. You've mentioned your laptop web-camera is good, which we don't doubt it is but how can you install a laptop web-camera into this person's desktop? Sort of being a technologically inclined and able to remove the built-in webcamera form your laptop and rig it up via a custom case mod into his desktop, your answer doesn't really apply to the question 'What's a good desktop web camera?'

Its like someone saying they want to buy a toy car for their six year old and you recommending them the Tesla Roadster as it goes from zero to 100mph in just 6 seconds. That's...great...but...he wants a toy-car. Similarly, your answer is great about web-camera laptops but he wants a desktop.

[)ROFL( @ Dec 5th 2008 12:18AM]

Oh, yes, I see. How foolish of me. I have made myself into a community clown. I see read more carefully next time. Thank you for shedding light upon my stupidity.

[glados.jp @ Dec 4th 2008 11:52PM]

The Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 is the best one I've seen. There's also the QuickCam Vision Pro for Mac users.

[Anthony @ Dec 5th 2008 9:24AM]

The Logitec Pro 9000 is the best and it's very easy to use. It's compact and comes with different mounting options. You can find some good deals on it right now as well. I've used several and it's by far the best. Get one.

[tookitogo @ Dec 5th 2008 12:14PM]

Yes, great camera (those two are the same camera, other than the LED color and the color of the plastic). I use the latter, it works fantastic even in low light.

[systmreload @ Dec 4th 2008 11:53PM]

Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 is absolutely amazing in low light conditions and just amazing quality overall.

[risto @ Dec 4th 2008 11:55PM]

your choice
iMac orMacBook

[Benjamin @ Dec 4th 2008 11:56PM]

I'm using Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 and its simply amazing with its "True Light" technology. Even if your workstation is in a not so bright place, your pics and videos looks excellent.

[Orpheus @ Dec 4th 2008 11:59PM]

Are you people working for Logitech?

[beejreit @ Dec 4th 2008 11:56PM]

logitech quick cam pro 9000 is the one I use.

[Bill Jobs @ Dec 7th 2008 11:54AM]

Agreed!!!!

[Blaw @ Dec 4th 2008 11:56PM]

Logitech... Even those inexpensive ones like QuickCam Connect or IM are pretty good. Just evoid those made by microsoft!

[Quikboy @ Dec 5th 2008 4:40PM]

What's wrong with the ones from Microsoft? My friend has one of the newer webcams from Microsoft Hardware, and it works great.

[Apreche @ Dec 4th 2008 11:58PM]

QuickCam Pro 9000 or Vision Pro and Orbit are the best. The orbit has the added advantage of being motorized, so it can move around and aim at different things.The Pros mount on monitors, and don't move very much.

[Hoyun @ Dec 5th 2008 12:27AM]

What's the difference between the Vision Pro and 9000? I have the 9000, and can't see any difference in specs.

That said, another vote for the Quickcam Pro 9000

[Einhanderkiller @ Dec 5th 2008 2:16AM]

The Pro is silver and works with Macs.

[Martin Cleaver @ Dec 5th 2008 8:21AM]

If I recall correctly, the Mac version (Vision Pro) has all the functionality built into hardware whereas the 9000 relies on Windows doing some processing. Also, the Vision Pro is said to work on Linux too.

[tookitogo @ Dec 5th 2008 12:19PM]

No, they're the same camera other than exterior color and the box they ship in.

[vvtopkar @ Dec 5th 2008 12:01AM]

If someone says iSight i swear to god I'm gonna punch someone.

[anebg @ Dec 5th 2008 12:05AM]

You said it yourself, you deserve to be punched.

[UnixSystemsEngineer @ Dec 5th 2008 12:21AM]

you can punch ai4281 below.

But I do like my old-skool barrel iSight. Damn good picture. Too bad I've only used it about twice.

[Evangelion @ Dec 5th 2008 1:23AM]

Oh! The irony!

[iSightFTW @ Dec 5th 2008 1:49AM]

Don't you mean iRony?

[tookitogo @ Dec 5th 2008 12:21PM]

@ UnixSystemsEngineer

The iSight picture was good for its time, but it's horrible compared to a modern Logitech like the Vision Pro.