Can Microsoft's LifeCam Cinema "OutCam" the Logitech QuickCam Pro?

Microsoft is not big in the hardware industry, but every once in a while they come out with a product that surprises. The Microsoft Natural keyboard is still one of the most successful ergonomic keyboards ever. The Microsoft LifeCam Cinema may be such a one. Over the last few years, the webcam has become a Cheerios' product, i.e., you get one with every box. This is due to the growing popularity of video sharing sites, like YouTube, that have made it easier for individuals to make and post videos. With the recent growth of High Definition television and PC HD applications, the ole' webcam is growing up and Microsoft has joined the fray with a very slick entry.

Cam Styling

The Microsoft LifeCam Cinema is stylish, first and foremost. This may not seem important, but if your going to decide which camera is going to live on top of your laptop and stare back at you a stylish looking webcam is going to be a more attractive prospect that a plastic ball or other, generic design. On the design score, the Microsoft LifeCam Cinema wins, with its nearest rival the Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 is interesting and well designed but lacks in, well, style.

The only complaint regarding the LifeCam Cinema stems from the design. First being that the automatic "video call" button on the top of the camera, the button is big and easily operated but when adjusting the cameras angle, a major feature, you finger may accidentally trigger a video call. Nevertheless, this is, by no means, a major setback. Once your used to the design it should be no problem. The Video Call button is a nice feature that automatically calls up your Windows Live Messenger contact list.

Mounting Concerns

The other main complaint regards the mount. The Microsoft LifeCam Cinema's mount is designed primarily for an LCD monitor or Laptop mounting scenario. Why not? Most of the PC world is on either a laptop or a PC using an LCD monitor. The mount is a little less useful on a desk or table surface but this is nitpicking. On the positive side the range of adjustment for the camera's angle is excellent with the Microsoft LifeCam Cinema range being 45 degrees down, 90 degrees up and 360 degrees around an impressive range of adjustment and better than the Logitech QuickCam.

Most of the complaints about the Microsoft LifeCam Cinema stem from small issues that affect a limited number of users. Like the fact that the auto light level adjustment will affect the first second of capture. It would seem that just waiting a second or two before starting to record would be reasonable. The feature itself is one of the successes of the LifeCam Cinema giving the webcam excellent performance in low light, a rarity in webcams.

Better Performance

The biggest factor in favor of this stylish webcam is its performance. The video is 720p making this one of the first real HD webcams on the market. The reports are that the video is stunning. Microsoft has also included two key technologies, AutoFocus and ClearFrame. The autofocus works very well and results in remarkable close ups in conjunction with the high quality optics. ClearFrame eliminates blur, noise and graininess from your video and the results are very good. On the subject of image quality the Microsoft LifeCam Cinema takes still images at 8 megapixels. This is significantly higher than the Logitech QuickCam.

The Microsoft LifeCam Cinema is as much a winner in the webcam market as the Microsoft Natural Keyboard was in the keyboard market. The list price is around $79.95 but you can find it on the internet and at many different outlets sometimes even cheaper.

Reference:
Microsoft Hardware: Microsoft LifeCam Cinema Specifications & Details