In the world of webcams, there is the current leader, Logitech, and then the others, which are actually gaining in interest.  With the widespread availability of ADSL and the recent capability of sharing video over the internet via instant messaging, there are several manufacturers that are trying to woo the 14.5 million potential buyers that use Microsoft’s Messenger.  This doesn’t even include users of iCQ, Skype, Meetic, and other solutions of this type.

We learn quite a bit about the products in tests. On the one hand, we often see how a webcam’s specifications can be deceiving and it’s rare to see a direct correlation between what is announced and what we actually see in practice.  On the other, the broadcast quality can vary greatly for similarly priced products and this can even be true for two webcams from the same manufacturer.

Good webcams are found between 30 and 50 Euros

To simplify things, there are a number of models found for fewer than 20 Euros but in a sense you get what you pay for.  Your correspondents will recognize and hear you, however if you go up to 30 Euros, there is a significant gain in both image and sound quality.  There is, however, one exception, the Microsoft LifeCam VX-1000, which offers an excellent price/quality ratio for those on a tighter budget.

The more interesting webcams are found for 30 to 50 Euros.  Fluidity is better, afterglow is less, and there are additional functions.  With Creative, it’s video surveillance while Hercules offers direct uploads for video sharing sites. Logitech includes icons or avatars for Live Messenger, etc.
Above 50 Euros, we are now in the luxury webcam category with the improved capture of sequences to which some users are very sensitive. Typically, high end Creative models offer a very wide angle of 200° and high quality microphones. For Logitech, their Sphere is motorized and Philips’ SP 900C is particularly skilled at rendering in the dark.