Microsoft - LifeCam Studio Webcam - Silver

The Microsoft LifeCam Studio is the best webcam on the market at a consumer grade for the moment. However, it has it's flaws, and the marketing on the product is slightly deceptive. The quality of the HD video is fantastic for a webcam, but the software included only allows it to shoot at 15 frames per second in the 1280x720 format. This is pretty low but the worst part is you can not even record at the 1920x1080 format. In order to use the product to it's full potential you must use other software to take advantage of the features the advertising promotes, which is the size. Getting that other software to is a pain, but I found Debut video software to be the best . The recordings also seems to have a slight magenta tone to it in certain light. I'm not sure if it is the lens itself or the clear sheet of glass or plastic material protecting the lens. I used a lens cleaner to see if it was some oil from a finger print, but it made no difference. Of course you can adjust all the properties when recording, but if you have to do that to compensate for the slight magenta hue, it just seems like extra work. On the positive side, it is the best webcam for it's price, and there is nothing that I have owed that has equaled up to it. I use it everyday to record animation line tests, stop motion , and time lapse video from my computer. I have attached it to a microscope, telescope, and made custom lenses to mount on it and it really has performed very well. I pretty much put this thing to the test all day, and aside the issues I mentioned earlier, it is worthy buy.

The Lifecam Studio Webcam is miles ahead of the standard webcam built into laptops these days and the high price point is justified by the quality this thing pumps out. As another reviewer noted, the marketing is a bit deceptive. It advertises that it is capable of 1080p but there is no mention as to what. That only applies to photos taken with it using the Lifecam Studio software that it comes with. Other software, such as Virtualdub (more for "advanced" users) tap into the power of this webcam to record video at 1080p. Do your own research to this caveat - the rest of this review will be my detailed experience using it. For HD video chat, that requires a strong broadband connection and Microsoft Live Messenger. Everything else: Google+ Hangouts, Skype, ooVoo puts this camera in VGA mode but the normal functions of the webcam stay intact - it delivers crystal clear focusing and accurate color (thanks to the Lifecam software's Truecolor & Clearframe option). Auto focusing is a problem in low light - but that concept applies to any camera. All the Adjustments to the camera are found in the Lifecam software, so you can manually adjust focus, colors, brightness, etc using a slider. the Clearframe option does a great job adjusting for the lighting if you don't want to manually adjust it. One thing I can't stress enough is that the higher the resolution you decide to use this camera, the more demanding on system resources (slows your computer down, etc) and unfortunately, the software isn't 64bit. My system has a GTX460 graphics card, Intel Core i7 and 12gb of RAM and the moment I start raising the resolution, the software begins to complain on resources. This is why it is unfortunate that it's NOT 64bit, because my system is MORE than capable of doing so. The camera has a tripod mount which is convenient and the mount built into the webcam adjusts nicely to sit by itself or attached to monitors - just takes patience to set it just right. the USB cable is a good length. The built in mic is sensitive - use whatever software to adjust it - Live Messenger, Skype, Windows, etc. Skype's auto adjust works pretty good. I included a photo shot at max 1920x1280 resolution. Manually focused to show great detail. Great Bokeh (background blur) and this was in a room only lit by a desklamp. - so this was shot in a low light situation.

Enjoy video chats with friends and family with this webcam that features 1920 x 1080 video image resolution and up to 2304 x 1728 still image resolution. ClearFrame technology helps ensure clear and detailed images. Great Camera, i have 1 at home.

It was very easy to install and camera works great.

While this is a pretty good camera, there are some character flaws to be noted. First of all, Microsoft doesn't include software to make 1080p video capability usable. In fact, the system requirements to produce 1080p video are higher than what is stated on the packaging. The (rubber stopper) lens cover is ridiculous. It doesn't fit and falls out with the slightest tilt. The base could've easily been designed to fit in a sturdy position. This thing is like placing a drink on the dashboard of your car--not a matter of if it will fall, but when. Save yourself a few bucks and buy the 720p cam instead because this cam only functions in 720p anyway. Microsoft had better stop rushing half-cocked stuff to market or they'll start losing market shares.

I had read other reviews prior to buying the Life Cam Studio Webcam-Silver and was deciding between the $20.00 cheaper black model. I read in the reviews that the computers are not acepting the full 1280 HD input from the cam and was wondering if it was worth the additional money. Well,, that was one point to ponder but when I compared and saw the more expensive model had a screw hole in the base for use with a small desktop tripod....That was my tie breaker at the time. I knew the camera being mounted on a tripod gave it more options of use. I brought it home with the $17.00 metal desktop tripod and attached it. Now I can move it anywhere I want it and work on snap shots for internet site sales...OH, by the way....it does produce a HD video (not quite the 1280) and excellent HD snap shots. As for video quality, I am only running MS Vista on this laptop and it does everything I could ask it to do. It is great. I have used it with only the screen light of the laptop and all the way to full room light...Byond belief is my observation. I have gone through several cams over the years and I found my No.1 pick. There is one adjustment in the setup that I Highly recommend when you set the camera up, in the advanced settings, "Turn Off" the auto focus, it will drive you crazy anytime a subject moves in front of it. Also, go by the recommended set up hight and distance. As for no-go opinions....I can't see any with the setup I'm running I hope this review helps and sometimes the little extra money spent on an item does make it worth it.

I use this camera for a live internet broadcast on Ustream every Saturday morning, and the video quality is very good. I'm pretty rough on webcams because I'm outdoors broadcasting and my last one broke, but I liked it so much, I bought another one. So if you're just going to use it to talk to grandma in another state, you'll be very pleased with it.

This web camera is was my first so i guess i had to go all out. I have to say i was a little disappointed because the marketing info on the box is a little misleading. It shows video at 1920 x 1080, but does not record at this resolution. Be careful about background noises when recording video. The microphone is really sensitive. However the camera itself can be equipped with a mini tripod which is convenient for me, i use a 40" lcd tv as a computer monitor and would rather not have the camera staring at the top of my head when i hook it on top of the monitor.