Logitech - HD Webcam C615 - Black

I'm not really the webcam-owning kind of person so my experiences previous to the C615 (which I was sent to review) was the webcam built into my current laptop and my iSight camera built into my macbook. While serviceable, neither of those cameras were satisfying in any way and I never really participate in cam chats anyway. I was most impressed by the camera's low light performance. Logitech really made an effort to make sure that the camera does everything it can to make use of the light available. In most cases, I was able to use the light from my monitor to produce a very clear (if slightly grainy) picture. Even backlit situations can be compensated for, really impressing me given my experience with the iSight cameras. The lens on the camera is fairly flattering, preventing the "too wide" realism of short focal lengths usually found in built-in cameras. Coupled with its quick and effect autofocus, I thought this camera was extremely capable, especially in use for Skype, MSN messenger, Google+ Hangouts and Facebook chat. The microphone was also a pleasant surprise. It perhaps picks up too much sound in larger rooms and I could certainly see feedback issues plaguing users with high ceilings or large speaker configurations. The audio is clear and the microphone does a good job of automatically adjusting the gain to compensate for changes in speaking tone and direction. It's even reasonable for some music applications (certainly not for professional music recording), though, in testing there was some "peaking" when trying to record a guitar. I could also recommend this camera for YouTube use, especially for vlogging or limited music recording. The only real drawbacks I found were with the software. The software suite was fairly fully-featured and had some nice applications. Some of the features are things you'll only toy with the first couple of times you start the software (like the face overlays and virtual avatars) and some you might try to use full-time (like the motion detector). They work fairly well but they really aren't dependable. I found the software would crash after longer periods of use, especially the motion detector software. On top of that, the Logitech chat software has a really small userbase; good luck finding your friends there. The recording software is decent but recording in 1080p will eat entirely too much hard drive space, especially given the amount of grain and compression artifacts in the video. Overall, I'm very impressed. While I'd recommend finding different software to record video if you're serious about quality, the only other reservations I have are how washed out you look in low light situations and that the microphone might not keep up with more serious YouTube musicians. Considering how little I care for webcams in general, I think that's a shining endorsement.

I have been a long time Mac user and have come to enjoy the simplicity of running a Mac eco-system in my house. Everything is connected, everything is Apple and everything just works. I was rather skeptical of the Logitech camera with regards to ease of use and ease installation. Let me suffice it to say this HD camera was much better than I expected in both regards! WIth regards to ease of installation/set up, I don't see how it could've been any easier. The included software installation disc (which works for both Mac and Windows) installed in less than 3 minutes. After that and a few mouse clicks, I plugged the camera into the USB port on the back of my iMac and I was up and running. All in total, I'd say I had this camera operating in around 5 minutes. One of the first things the Logitech software did was check for downloads. The updater found one such update and it downloaded in less than 5 minutes. The installation was very straightforward and, to be honest, didn't require looking at the instruction manual. I did it simply by inserting the disc into my iMac and then following the on-screen prompts. With regards to ease of operation, the camera was a snap! The picture capture was VERY similar to Photo Booth on my iMac. Although there weren't any funny effects to add to my photos, it did allow me to instantly start snapping pictures and capturing video. It was also extremely easy to toggle between resolutions. I found 720p to be excellent on my large iMac. The pictures were very clear as was the video. Also, once a picture or video is captured, icons for sharing via email, twitter, Facebook and YouTube appear in a side menu on the right. I emailed a video very quickly and, although it was compressed, the quality as I played it back on my iPhone and iMac was super. It's at least every bit as good as the iSight camera on my iMac. However, I found the quality of this camera edged the iSight out with regards to clarity and detail - especially with close proximity to the camera lens. For instance, when I placed my fingers extremely close to the Logitech camera lens, I could clearly make out the ridges which form the swirls of my finger print. However, this detail was not nearly as clear with the same distance on my iSight camera. Another nice detail about the Logitech is that is contains an auto-focus. So, once I pulled my hand back from in front of the lens, the camera re-focused on me seated in my chair in front of the computer. The camera is easy to maneuver, position and swivel and that's a plus over the iSight camera in that, if I want to change the camera angle when using my iMac, I have to turn the entire computer around. With this camera, its quite easy to maneuver around. The microphone in the camera also did a very good job at picking up sound. In this area, I'd also say the Logitech edged past the iSight camera. The microphone was able to pick up several soft sounds clearly as well as conversation. I used the Logitech in place of my iSight on a Skype call and, happily, it was very easy to use in place of the iSight. The quality of the call was better due to the improved microphone and picture quality. I was able to set the Logitech to a widescreen mode which is something I can't do with the iSight. It was a pleasure to use this camera in place of the iSight on my Skype calls! This webcam is great for somebody who doesn't already have a built in camera in their laptop or desktop. However, its portability and compatibility with both Mac and Windows makes it great to take from home to office or vice versa. It's also very easy to upload pictures and video to the various social networking websites as well as email. In summary, I found this camera to be far better than I expected and am happy to have found it exceeded my expectations in almost every way!

When I unpacked this product, I expected the usual. Grainy video paired with insufficient audio that would require a separate headset for video conferencing. I couldn't have been more wrong. The hookup began with the usual software instillation followed by connection and update. The first thing that I noticed was that the software download took quite some time. I choked it up to the usual bloatware that comes with webcams, most of which I would uninstall after the fact, but this was not the case. I have not purchased a new webcam in quite awhile, so I am not sure if this is a standard feature of all webcams nowadays, but this camera has motion detection, a feature I have found completely invaluable. I have Seedonk installed on my desktop computer, a messenger that allows you to view your webcam over you smartphone or tablet from any location as long as you have an internet connection. It gives you the option to remotely snap a picture or record video and sound. I love the motion detection feature because it allows me to use my webcam as a security camera. The video quality is nothing short of amazing. Even in low light situations, the picture is at least 10 times better than even the best webcam I have used over the last 10 years. The picture quality itself would justify a much higher sale price. The audio quality is amazing as well. Generally, when I have used my webcam for video chat, I always found myself using a separate mic so that the person or people on the other end of the chat could hear me. With this webcam, I found no need for a separate headset or mic while using it for web chat. Another feature that I found great was the fact that the webcam mount has a hole for mounting the cam on a tripod. I have never had a webcam that had this feature, and I have mounted it on a smaller 6" tripod when using it for web chat, and I mount it on a larger full-size tripod when I'm using it as a surveillance cam. This is a small feature that makes a big difference when considering ease of use of this product. All in all, I would give this webcam a perfect 10. In testing this product, I haven't found anything that I would change about it. The price is definitely a steal for such a high quality cam.

Great camera for the clarity and HD quality. A few feature sets not 100% stable and that's the reason I did not give the "video Quality" an overall Excellent rating. One great feature is that you can disable the on-board mic and use the headset with ease. I originally had a Microsoft - LifeCam Cinema Webcam - Loved the clarity but hated the fact you cannot disable the on-board mic, you disable the whole camera. The Microsoft unit broke during a cube move and took this opportunity to check out the competitor Logitech in the same price point style of cameras. There seems to be a bluish tinge on the overall video - only on close ups in lower light level because of the Power-on LED light on the front of the camera. I like the blue - some may not enjoy the color offset. Cons: The special effects - little cute characters that transform your face close-up into an animal or Aliens etc, its great if your 10 years old, but face it - I was using Skype, MSN, and Yahoo conversing with friends from work and online games. I never would use any of the camera special effects. The wide angle aspect ratio sometimes pops in and out from wide angle to tight aspect ratio on face in front of the camera. It is annoying when I was chatting with work related contacts and then suddenly they frame pops into wide-angle mode - displaying almost all of my office and not what I was especially wanted the contact to only view. it would do it in every session, but in every chat program and it even looks like a small bug or malfunction when it hops to a wide angle - I know it’s a feature (once you see it - you can get the idea what the wide angle would be used for) , but I did not want it showing business clients my whole house. Pros: Great in low light level - Blue LED aids in low light levels. Personally, I liked the blue indicator light (When on and the camera is active). The easiest Camera install EVER!!! Connect the camera to WIndows 7 and it downloaded the software and drivers automatically - on DSL connection after a few minute download I was chatting in no time. Can disable the on-board Mic and use the headset or different incoming audio source. Software that controls the camera can move up, down, left, right with the camera being fixed and it is an electronic zoom. the Zoom is really great - from my desk it can zoom to the other side of the room. Note: the software is independent of Skype, MSN, Yahoo, etc. I liked this feature for using it in provocative situations that makes using this camera more fun during video conferencing. The video was extremely clear - not as clear as the Microsoft Camera but the Zoom makes up for it -along with controlling the camera via software. Demographics: This web cam is for someone wanting a clear HD camera for Skype-ing their significant other with easy installation and a few feature sets that are in the software to make the camera easy to control. Fun web cam for video conferencing and capturing all the action on the net. If you are going to use the camera for work related projects such as looking at a board layout or electronic equipment please note:: (remote technical support) my previous Microsoft Camera was better for that - since the color was not altered in any way during video streams. In a nutshell I enjoy this camera tremendously - due to the "fun factor" that I have on Skype - I would undeniably recommend this one to all my friends. I really like the video and software control of this camera.

I swear, with the quality of all things Logitech that I've ever bought, I'm ready to get an "I <3 Logitech" tattoo on my shoulder! This webcam is no different. I had previously been using a Logitech C905 webcam, which comes equipped with a glass Carl Zeiss lens, and a stand to mount it to if it won't clip to your monitor. While I DID love that webcam, and it produced a crisp, sharp image for my video chat call recipients regardless of whether I was sitting directly in front of the camera, or 6 to 10 feet away from it, the camera never clipped quite right to the top of my thicker Hanns-G monitor. I actually ended up having to rig up a mount for it that I clipped to the top of my monitor, then clipped the webcam to. With this Logitech webcam, my video calls are just as crisp and clear as they were with my Carl Zeiss lens-equipped C905, and, even better, it's been an absolute snap to attach to my computer monitor! As far as picture/image quality goes, this webcam suffers not one bit for not having a Carl Zeiss-branded glass lens. The camera also tilts up and down, and rotates fully from left to right, so it is much easier to move this camera to the perfect angle than it was for me to do the same with my C905. As for mounting it to my monitor, the base of the stand that is built into the camera acts as a stabilizing, rubber-coated "leg" that braces it firmly in place, and provides counter pressure against the lip that wraps around and over the front of the monitor. That same bracing leg/base actually folds right up under the camera for easy portability. And, since the camera itself can be turned 360 degrees, you can flip the camera lens around to be folded down, and thus protected while carting it around with you from place to place. After I'd gotten my C905, which I happily settled on after EXTENSIVE testing of various webcams under a hundred bucks, I noticed this on a few different websites, and thought that it might be better suited to my needs. With the way that this webcam clips to any monitor you need to attach it to, there is no longer any question in my mind that this is the perfect webcam for me! And, Logitech has even thought to throw in a 3' USB Extension cable, in case, for some reason, the super long USB cable that is directly attached to this webcam still isn't quite long enough for your needs. Logitech wins me over yet again! I heart you, Logitech!

The Logitech HD Webcam is a very good Webcam which would get 4.5 stars if I could rate it that way. Prior to this webcam I had a Logitech - HD Webcam c525. The c615 makes various improvements over the c525 while keeping the same form factor. Setup: Setup was a easy and the camera works on both formats (PC and MAC) Making it easy for people like myself to take this webcam to family members houses and Skype to other family members when times they can't make it to a holiday party and stuff like that. it comes with instructions and a tutorial which walks you through the entire process. I don't think you will have a headache setting this up. HD Videos: The videos on this Webcam is crystal clear, much better then I expected when Video blogging. It captures Full HD 1080p at a very good frame rate with the perfect aspect ratio for playback for TVs, Phones, and etc. Personally I wasn't use to 1080p since I only had a 720p video webcam, I will never go back to my old c525 the auto focus seems much better on this version too. Auto light correction is good but it's not the best. it does adapt to the lighting situation just a little slower then expected. HD Video Web Calling: This is where this Webcam shines. I've tried it with various Messengers like Windows Live, Yahoo Messenger and Skype and all were FANTASTIC! Especially in HD 720. The mic picks up everything you say even if you talk really low. I could be all the way in the bedroom from my living room and speak. My friends could still hear what I say, They also said that the camera had no problems with choppy frame rates with my movements. Every messenger I've used picked the webcam quickly. HD 8MP Photos: Loved it. I take goofy pictures all the time and it picked up on my quick movements and capture the picture clear. Its very fun to use when you want to take self portraits. If your using the Logitech software provided it gives you a count down to take the pictures. More then likely though your not buying this webcam for stills but its a nice added bonus. Software: The software comes with backgrounds and special effects. It's fun to use and the kids love taking pictures with these and here is the fun part...All of this comes with The 1-click upload making your social network life easy. Once setup you can click buttons that allow you to upload to Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and E-mail. This is perhaps one of my favorite features of this whole package. it also comes with MAGIX software, Webcam controller and other "APPS" you can add. Overall: You should really check out the c615 because it in the perfect price range for what it offers. Webcam like this is perfect for desktop setups which most of my family has but I highly recommended to anyone with a Laptop or Mac . It is very clear at capturing HD videos to HD Webcam conferencing. My only gripe about it is that sometimes the Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920 goes on sale from $99 to the price of this c615. If you want more features like a Carl Zeiss Lens at the same price look out for the C920 from time to time. Other then that this is a must buy.

I bought this when I was in Best Buy in a hurry, and was disappointed in the fact that they didn't seem to carry any webcams besides Logitech ones at all in their store. I searched everywhere, I asked three different sales people from the computer department, and all of them told me that their Logitech display had the only webcams they carried. The resolution on this webcam is fine, and its color reproduction and light sensitivity will probably be better than the built-in webcam on the average laptop, but it doesn't really have the quality I expect out of a webcam at this price point. I was using webcams 10 years ago that had better overall quality at the same price as this one. That said, it's fine if you don't care all that much. The face tracking and auto focus is decent, and I haven't had any complaints about the audio (although it doesn't cancel out the sound of your speakers, so people will hear an echo if you don't mute yourself when they're talking). My other big complaint about this is the extremely short cable. My laptop dock is on the keyboard tray on my desk, but the cable can't really reach it from on top of the monitors on my desk. That's pretty bad. If you're attaching it to your laptop's monitor, you'll be fine, but if you're connecting it to a desktop system or a laptop dock, you might want to get a coupler or an extension cable.

The camera was easy to install. Comes with instructions, and also a tutorial when you plug it into your Windows 7 operating system. They take you step by step through the install and operations of the camera, as well as how to use the software and how to test for picture and sound. The camera has great resolution even in low light, which is the way it will probably be used. The mic was great and I tried it using SKYPE with my nephew about 1000 miles away. He was using his laptop camera, so what I saw was slower, choppier, and the sound was a little garbled at time. He said that I came across very clear, no jerkyness, and the sound was very good. The 'auto-focus' was pretty quick considering the low light. Once I tried it thru my windows, it took some great pictures of the surrounding mountains and trees. The 'auto-focus' was very quick in full light, and the 360 rotation was pretty smoothe. The software that comes with the unit allows lots of fun with backgrounds and special effects. He got a kick out of seeing me as an 'alien' using one of the effects. When I used it for still pics of myself, as well as other things around the room, they came out clear and concise. The MAGIX software was fairly easy to use, once I took a few minutes to learn how to use it and read some of the HELP files. To sum it up, I never had thought of using one of these, but after actually having one to try, I found I used it for lots of things and was able to save the pics and alter them easily with the software that is included. NOTE: With more and more ALL-IN-ONE desktops and most newer notebooks having web-cams installed, you may be tempted to pass up an external web-cam. However, the versitility and convienience of THIS cam, plus the superb video quality, should give you a reason to try this unit and see for yourself.