Webcams: Logitech Quickcam Pro and Lenovo USB Webcam w/ PICS

[Rob]

I am looking for a webcam to use with my ThinkPad T43. Currently, I have purchased 2 different webcams to try out.

#1: Logitech Quickcam Pro for Notebooks. This is a very highly rated webcam with a lot of positive regarding its picture quality.

#2: Lenovo USB Webcam. I'm sure many of you are interested in this webcam. It's a great looking webcam, but there are very few reviews out there, and no real indication of picture quality.

Here's my quick and dirty comparison.

The cameras:
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/ ... ameras.jpg

The Logitech mount:
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/ ... hmount.jpg

The Lenovo mount:
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/ ... omount.jpg

Pictures:
Logitech in desk-lighting and no light (laptop screen-lit)
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/ ... mLight.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/ ... amDark.jpg

Lenovo in desk-lighting and no light (laptop screen-lit)
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/ ... oLight.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/ ... voDark.jpg

The Logitech has better low-light pictures, and it also seems to adjust better to different lighting conditions. The Lenovo picture is darker and usually more grainy. The picture settings leave something to be desired. Hopefully a driver update will help. The Logitech also has a wider-angle lens on it, and a shorter USB cord (18in vs 6ft) which is better for laptop use.

However, the Logitech's clamping system isn't as good and really doesn't work well on a ThinkPad. Anytime you touch it, it's likely to need to be repositioned. Also, it blocks part of the screen. The software is really bloated and resource intensive, though it does have more features than the Lenovo software.

I'll add pictures of the clamping system later.

Basically, I'm torn between the smaller size with better image quality vs. the better looks and better mounting system.

One last thing... with AIM video chat, I can't get smooth video using the Lenovo, but I can with the Logitech...
Rob

[DAH]

Just my thoughts but the Lenovo seems to my eyes to give a better picture of you, the skin on your face is no so white that it loses detail. With the Lenovo cam your face appears good to my eyes, but that means the background is to dark and it becomes grainy. That suggest to my mind the lighting in your room is not even.

When I look at the Logitech picture your face (on the left side of my screen the part not in shadow) appearers to my eyes to be too white, the detail is gone. Look at the amount of detail in the printing on your sleeve in the Lenovo picture. Wish that was also in the Logitech picture. Clearly the Lenovo web cam requires more light than is available, given the amount of light it requires I believe it might have the better picture.

[snessiram]

I agree with DAH, the lenovo picture looks more "nature" to me (more details etc.).
About the extra options of the logitec: What are they? Do you need them?
No light: will you actually use the webcam in that situation?
Personally the clamping system of logitec would really disturb me.

[christopher_wolf]

As well to me; the Lenovo camera looks like it has a better balance and isn't as over-bright as the Logitech one in the same lighting conditions (that is a large specular highlight for the Logitech). Given that and the better clamping and fitment of the Lenovo, I would rather go with the Lenovo.

[Rob]

Well, both softwares allows you to adjust the brightness settings. But, the Logitech seems to give more of a range in adjustments. Those pictures used the default settings.

The Logitech software includes some fun programs, but it's not really anymore "useful".

I wish I knew what kind of sensor each cam uses, CMOS or CCD.

Rob