The Microsoft owes the good grade to its passable image quality with good colors and an always smooth representation of movements. However, users have to accept a big drop of bitterness. Unfortunately, Microsoft has saved the microphone.
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Per
good colors
Picture always smooth
lens cover
against
Image noise somewhat visible
No microphone
Bracket a bit stiff
Microsoft’s Modern series revolves around the home office and video telephony. In addition to headsets such as the Modern USB Headset, the most important tool now follows: the Microsoft Modern Webcam. The small PC camera has a maximum resolution of 1920×1080 pixels and a refresh rate of up to 30 frames per second. It also comes with practical extras such as a lens cover. However, the Modern Webcam is missing a crucial feature. COMPUTER BILD reveals what it is and how good the camera really is in the test.
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Logitech
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Sharp shots
good colors
against
Movements a little blurry
Expensive
razer
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Good picture quality
Practical light ring
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colors too strong
No lens cover
Logitech
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Good picture quality
Fixed mount
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Not compatible with Logitech software
Audio recordings washed out
Logitech
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Per
Good picture quality
Handy software
against
microphone moderate
No lens cover
Logitech
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Clear image
Upright shots possible
against
colors a bit light
Very tinny sound
razer
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Clear image
Good sound recordings
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picture a bit dark
Colors a little rosy
Microsoft
Details about the test
Per
good colors
Picture always smooth
against
Image noise somewhat visible
No microphone
Creative
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Per
Liquid shots
Clear image
against
Overexposed daylight shots
Colors slightly distorted
Hama
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Per
Good microphone quality
Good mount
against
Visible noise
Significant image curvature
Logitech
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Per
Good picture quality
Tripod included
against
Voices sound a bit thin
Auto focus a bit slow
Complete list: The best webcams
Modern optics
The small ring of light around the lens provides information as to whether the Modern Webcam is currently active.
The Microsoft Modern Webcam is nice and small with its 4x5x8 centimeters and is hardly noticeable on the monitor. It lives up to its name with a chic design. In contrast, competitors like the Hama C-600 Pro appear clumsy. In the test, it sat firmly on the monitor and was easy to align thanks to its robust-looking hinge. However, it cannot be turned to the right or left, as it lacks a flexible ball joint. Alternatively, users can screw the Modern Webcam onto a tripod and position it freely on their desk. A corresponding tripod thread is located on the underside of the Microsoft camera.
Easy and safe
With a gentle push, the Microsoft webcam lens is obscured.
Users connect the webcam to the PC using a USB cable. An additional driver or software installation is not necessary. Operating systems from Windows 7 download all necessary programs automatically. Practical: Next to the lens there is a small cover that can be pushed in front of the electronic eye. There is only more privacy if you disconnect the webcam from the PC.
See a lot, hear nothing
In the test, the Microsoft Modern Webcam delivered an acceptable Full HD image: it recorded colors almost exactly as they were originally. A slight image noise can be seen in the background. But that is not disturbing. Movements are always smooth and the camera didn’t falter even in difficult lighting conditions. Unfortunately, streaks can be seen in the image in low light. Unfortunately, nothing can be said about the sound quality because the camera does not have a microphone. For video telephony, users either have to use a built-in microphone in their laptop or buy a separate USB microphone (price: from 20 euros).
good colors
Picture always smooth
Image noise somewhat visible
No microphone
Microsoft Modern Webcam Review: Conclusion
The Microsoft owes the good grade to its passable image quality with good colors and an always smooth representation of movements. However, users have to accept a big drop of bitterness. Unfortunately, Microsoft has saved the microphone.
