Logitech HD Pro Webcam C910

Logitech HD Pro Webcam C910

Logitech HD Pro Webcam C910 with full 1080p HD recording HD 720p video calling on most major IM apps dual microphones for lifelike stereo audio and 10 MegaPixel photos software enhanced works with MAC OS X 105 and higher and Windows 960000598 Ca

The picture quality is the really impressive thing about this Logitech webcam. It sports an auto-focusing Carl Zeiss lens, the same as my digital camera! It captures both foreground and background images in amazing clarity, with video up to 1080p (selectable: 360p, 480p, 720p, 1080p) and still images up to 10MP (selectable: 640x480, 1.2MP, 5MP, 10MP). Of course, that's local. When transmitting on a video call, you can get up to 720p, which is still pretty impressive. The C910 comes with Logitech Video Effects software for making filters, avatars, masks and fun effects etc. I have only used the webcam with MS Messenger, and it works perfectly. 

Mic functions even when you are not using the imaging element under USB Unknown Audio Input and in some software it self selected. It isn't good enough for intense talking-to- software like Rosetta Stone which is listening for pitch and precise pronunciation. Maybe if you hold it close to your mouth it would work well enough even for that application but you don't want to be holding a camera as you'll smudge and eventually scratch the lens by handling it. If you can find a way to mount closer to your face but keep your hands off it, then you can solve that little problem as well.

However, one drawback I have discovered is that the smaller size and slightly differences in shape of the "foot" means that the C910 is a little "wobbly" when perched on top of the screen of my laptop, whereas the Pro-9000 was absolutely solid. The "grip" system of the C910 is based on the same principle as that of the Pro9000, ie it is a friction grip, and not a "spring clip" or an actual clamp. I think if the foot was about a cm longer (still smaller than the Pro 9000) it might be more stable, or possibly the Pro9000 is more stable simply because it is heavier. This is not a problem on my desktop monitor, or if my laptop is on the desk, rather then actually on my lap. On my lap, or on a train, the cam can wobble a bit with any movement of the laptop. 


To summarise: 
PRO: 
-superb cam performance, both sound and picture 
- simple and robust software installation, no conflicts or problems found with Windows 7. 
- reasonably compact size 
CON: 
- does not sit stable on laptop display 
- no carrying case to protect it in my computer bag. 


However, I still highly recommend Logitech, and this model in particular.