Webcam comparison

[Skybird]

New webcams for me and my parents are in order. I am focussed on the

Logitech C525,

and the

Microsoft Livecam 3000.

I tend towards the Logitech, it seems to offer both better sound quality and better picture quality. However, I am hesitent, for in many reports, for example at German Amazon, I read that the Logitech offers good hardware quality, but lousy drivers for 64 Bit Windows - people report to be even unable to run the webcam under x64, or being haunted by 2 seriously low frames at 720 or 640 resolutions.

However, I cannot judge to what degree these are excpetions from the rule, or the rule itself.

Any recommendations and own experiences on the Logitech under W7 x64 ?

Field of use is almost exclusively: Skype. At day both participants will be sitting in front of a window with daylight , at night both sit in lowlight condition, with conventional light bulbs on participant's 2 o'clock position, and one side having background light as well.

For picture quality comparison I base on this video, with the Microsoft on top and the Logitech at the bottom.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fNs2W3mZvg

The Microsoft can be had at half the price of the Logitech.

[the_tyrant]

just get the live cam, its quality is good enough, you save 50%, and there is no fear of driver issues.

[Skybird]

Too late, I already had placed an order for the C525. They have had new drivers in October, and since then the number of complaints seems to have declined, or gone missing. If not, I can send it back to Amazon.

The visibly better image quality and said to be very good microphones made me taking the risk (if there is one worth to be called that). I can send it back if it does not work.

I have troubles to believe that of almost 300 reviewers only a dozen or so use x64 OS, and the rest is still x32.

[Skybird]

Superb choice! Got it, tested it in good light and low light, and get very good image quality, animation, and sound quality. Face recognition and autofocus work well.

No trouble regarding Windows x64 whatever with Logitech driver 2.51.

Would choose this again! :yep:

Note: The new driver version, released just last month, no longer includes - unneeded - face gfx features like alien masks, animal heads and face distortions and such gimmicks. No loss anyway.