So You Want To Buy A Webcam
A Shopping Guide For Those That Want To Dump The Nose Cam
Sure, your laptop technically has a webcam but do you really want to appear on video at 720p at an angle which flatters no one? The challenge is that there are dozens of companies making webcams and they all have numerous different models. Many of those models are quite expensive while others seem to cheap to be any good. Ars Technica have assembled a guide to help you navigate the webcam market which you can check out here.
If you are on a budget or just want a stocking stuffer, the Creative Live Cam Sync 1080p V2 is a mere $30 at Amazon but does a decent job, albeit without software to adjust your image. If you want a more professional webcam, with the ability to record your video directly to an SD card, for $350 you can get a Logitech Mevo Start. The software supports multiple webcams, so you could even pick up a few.
Oddly, the venerable Logitech C920 and it’s 60Hz successor the C922 only get honourable mentions.
Webcams are having a moment. With video chats and teleconferences becoming a normal facet of life in a pandemic-addled world, having a device that presents you at your best can be invaluable.
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I’m sure the Logitech is pretty good but for that kind of dosh you are pretty much in the territory of a very good used mirrorless camera or GoPro that can function as web camera for those interested in such things.
“Oddly, the venerable Logitech C920 and it’s 60Hz successor the C922 only get honourable mentions.”
I’m also surprised to see that the Logitech Brio was omitted too. It’s a great webcam.