The best webcams are the ones that are affordable, easy to set up, offer great video quality, and doesn't make you look like a blurry, standard-def mess when you wave at the screen. Of course, there are plenty that fit that description, so we asked you which ones you thought were worth buying. Here's a look at the five best, based on your nominations.
Earlier in the week, we asked you which webcams you thought were the best of breed, even considering that many computers have them built-in these days. You responded, and while we only have room for the top five, we definitely had plenty of models to sort through.
The polls are closed and the votes are counted! To see which of these five great webcams took the top spot, head over to our Hive Five followup post to see and discuss the winner!
Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920 ($100)
If you work from home and use video to stay in touch with colleagues and attend meetings, or if you just use it to stay in touch with friends and family around the world, the Logitech C920 HD webcam offers stunning video quality—including Skype and other video calling (when supported) in 1080p, autofocus, sensitive dual stereo microphones, and full HD video recording if you produce video from your computer. The C920 clips to your monitor easily, but if you need portability, the webcam even has a standard screw attachment on the bottom to fit a tripod so you can position it anywhere you need it. If you need to take still images, the C920 will snag up to 15 megapixel still images. Plus, Logitech's cameras are compatible with almost any operating system, including Windows, OS X, and Linux.
Microsoft LifeCam HD-5000 ($50)
Microsoft's LifeCam HD-5000 (and its newer sibling, the HD-5001) trims back some of the bells and whistles to make a more manageable price tag. It packs 720p HD video recording and video chat in Skype and other video calling apps, autofocus so the object of attention is always crystal clear, and face tracking, so even if you move you don't get all blurred out to the person on the other end of your video call. Video recording comes in at 720p as well, and Microsoft's TrueColor technology automatically adjusts for bright or low light scenarios, offering great video even when the light doesn't cooperate. The HD-5000 is also a portable camera, less than 2 inches wide and 5 inches tall.
Microsoft LifeCam Cinema ($80)
The LifeCam Cinema offers additional features that some of its other camera models don't have, like a rotating neck that allows you to position the camera at almost any angle, a wideband microphone mounted on the top to snag your audio as well as video, beautiful autofocus to keep recordings and video chats crystal clear, and crisp 720p HD video recording and video calling. That microphone also comes bundled with noise isolation technology to make sure only the intended sounds make it onto your recordings and the people you talk to on the other end of your Skype chat aren't distracted by noise outside your window. Plus, even though Microsoft only touts its Windows compatibility, many of you noted that their cameras are OS X compatible.
Microsoft LifeCam Studio ($100)
At the high end of Microsoft's webcam lineup is the LifeCam Studio, another camera many of you nominated for it's stunning true full HD video, coming in at 1080p for video recording and photo stills. Microsoft says you'll get 720p in video chats and calls over Skype or Google Hangouts, and 1080p if you're using a service that supports it and have a computer that meets the system requirements. If you need it on top of your monitor, it'll fit there easily, but if you want to mount it on a tripod, the LifeCam Studio sports a standard screw attachment so it can set up anywhere. Microsoft bundles its TrueColor technology with this camera as well, along with the glass lens cover from the LifeCam Cinema, all designed to perform well in odd lighting while keeping the image nice and clear. The LifeCam Studio also packs a noise isolating microphone, so you won't need an extra one for video calls.
Logitech HD Webcam C270 ($40)
If you want dead simple HD video calling and still photos, without all the bells and whistles (and the price tag) of many of the others, the Logitech C270 offers a simple camera with a rubberized clip to attach to your monitor, and that's about it. You get 720p video with the C270, 3 megapixel still photos, and a built-in noise isolating microphone. The C270 does a good job of auto-correcting for low or bright light as well. Plus: works great in Windows and OS X without additional driver installs - which also makes it a great webcam for a Hackintosh!
Now that you've seen the top five, it's time to put them to an all out vote.
Honorable mentions this week go out to the now-discontinued Logitech Webcam C160, which at least one of you praised specifically because it's so DIY friendly. It's not the best—it's not even in the same league as most of the above, but at least you can take it apart and play with its optics. I think T_Beermonster mentioned he hooked his up to a telescope, which is pretty impressive. Also worth a nod is the webcam installed in your laptop or desktop, which a few of you nominated anyway.
Have something to say about one of the contenders? Want to make the case for your personal favorite, even if it wasn't included in the list? Remember, the top five are based on your most popular nominations from the call for contenders thread from earlier in the week. Make your case for your favorite—or alternative—in the discussions below.
The Hive Five is based on reader nominations. As with most Hive Five posts, if your favorite was left out, it's not because we hate it—it's because it didn't get the nominations required in the call for contenders post to make the top five. We understand it's a bit of a popularity contest, but if you have a favorite, we want to hear about it. Have a suggestion for the Hive Five? Send us an email at [email protected]!
Photo by Tom Hamilton.