Logitech C270 HD Webcam

I bought this to replace an ageing SD camera that was looking out of place on my new PC build. I have friends overseas so the camera is used predominantly for Skype. Despite being one of the cheapest HD cameras on the market this has performed very well. It is a massive improvement over my old camera and, all things considered, I'm very happy with it. It's certainly worth the price.

Here are some points, good and bad (and some subjective), about the camera:

+ Simple installation.
+ Well laid out, user-friendly software.
+ Good audio quality from built in microphone.
+ Nice sharp image with decent colour.
+ Nice design, looks unobtrusive on top of my display.
+ Y-axis rotation.
+ RightLight technology works admirably, with little to no noise in low light conditions; I can have a video call with my display as the only light source and still be seen quite clearly.

- Choosing to auto-run the controller software results in it popping up at random intervals when the camera is in use (OS: 7 Pro x64).
- Mounting clip is not sprung but relies on friction of weak hinge to maintain grip. This isn't really a problem on a desktop's stationary monitor but may be an issue for mobile users.
- Excessive packaging and hefty manual that could have just been provided on the CD as a pdf document.
- No Z-axis rotation.

-/+ RightSound can result in voices sounding a little muffled at times, although it is effective in eliminating background noise which is a great advantage for VOIP calls.

Other things to note:

The video used to advertise Logitech's HD camera range (seen under the technical specifications tab above) implies that this camera has auto-focus, however this is not the case: it is fixed focus. I have brought this to Play's attention, as it's misleading to customers, but they have yet to remove the video or edit the description to make clear the video's erroneous nature.

This may have been mentioned already, but video at 4:3 resolutions is captured at 30fps while 16:9 video is captured at just 15fps.

The software includes customisable privacy shades (still images that replace the video feed during a call) but the camera does not support masks or video effects.

Good picture quality. Clear sound from built in microphone. Works great with Skype. Much better than any sub 10 pounds camera and well worth 17.99 inc. del. Very compact and unobtrusive with easy control with Logitech software. Recommended if you don't want to spend a lot but want a decent picture and sound for social networking purposes.

I was dubious when I bought this cam. I mean for 17.99 I expected cheap parts and dodgy picture. Instead what I got was a well package piece of kit that lives up to its name.

HD is full 720p the quality of the cam is superior even to my more expensive Pro 9000 cam. The speed is brilliant. I moved in real time on the medium setting which is 320P. The sound is crisp and clear and no background noise.

In short it is as good as any cam that costs 50 pounds plus. It really is a brilliant piece of kit. I just do not know how play.com do it. Get it before they change their minds on the price

Excellent quality from Logitech. Installation was quick and easy, the picture is crisp and clear, the colours natural even in low indoor light. The built-in mic produces reasonably good sound and is sensitive enough even if it's a few feet away. Great value for money.

Not so much a review but a sigh that finaly I've bought something that does things well. (maybe because I've always bought cheap webcams) Video......spot on. Audio.......excellent . great webcam