Testing

Methodology

To test out webcams, we use the device for a sustained period of time and experiment with the camera. We take a series of still images to see what kind of image quality is available as well as looking at its functionality, design and pricing.

Results

One thing to point out with this webcam is that it doesn’t require any additional drivers and is automatically detected. Whilst in a way this is good, the button for taking stills just didn’t work and the device didn’t appear in “Scanners & Cameras” in both XP and Vista which is very annoying.

That said, it did work for video calls and so we were able to take some photos this way:

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Evidently, the image quality is not going to blow you away but for a budget camera, it’s not too bad. The camera does adjust well to most lighting environments and the images, although a little fuzzy, are clearly definable.

The colours are not amazing though with my wall coming out more grey than its actual blue colour. But, overall the images are not too bad and the 5MP camera does a reasonable job. 

The fan and the mic work pretty well; the microphone had good clarity and you don’t have to speak too closely to it and although the fan is a somewhat strange inclusion with a webcam it does provide a nice cooling breeze once turned on if a little noisy.

Cost

The webcam retails for about £10 which actually isn’t a bad price considering all the features included in this webcam but it is evident that corners have been cut to achieve the very low price tag.