Logitech HD Webcam Comparison Review - C310, C510, C910

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© 2011 Brice Center (first posted 4/16/11 ► last updated 12/26/11)
Logitech currently has four great HD webcams on the market; the C910, C525, C615, and C310.  They are all capable of 720p video calling, and at first glance seem to have very similar specs, but there are several important differences that would likely make you choose one over the other. 

The C525, C615 replaced the older C510, as the models with the folding portability design.  I left the C510 it in my comparison table below for reference, though.

I personally own and use two C510's, primarily for the portability features.  You see, the C510, C525, and C615 are the only ones that fold compactly, and come with a travel case.  It is a simple and clever design that completely protects the lens when folded.  This is a very important feature if you will be carrying the camera with you in your laptop bag.  Scratched lenses turn High Definition into Low Definition very quickly.  The C510/C525/C615 are also the only cams that have a rotating camera head.

The C525, C615 ,and C910 all have autofocus, which can be handy if you need to show details close up. 

The C615 is the only one that is readily tripod mountable thanks to a built-in threaded socket. (click pic to enlarge) ►

The C615 and C910 are the only ones that are Mac compatible, so if you eat Apples, they're the cams for you.  A Carl Zeiss ultra-wide angle glass lens gives the C910 higher quality optics, and sound quality on the C910 is also higher thanks to dual stereo microphones. 

More commentary below the table.
Comparison Table - Logitech HD Webcams


Product Photos ►
(click to enlarge) 




Amazon Product Links ►
HD Webcam
C310
HD Webcam
C510
(The C510 has been replaced by the C525 and C615)
HD Webcam
C525
HD Webcam
C615
HD Pro Webcam
C910
 Approx. Price at Amazon (as of 12/26/11)
   Click through for the current price.
 $28
 $42
  $40 $50
$70
 HD 720p Video Calling
 Y
 Y
 Y Y Y
 Compact Folding Design with Lens
   Protection and Travel Case
 N
 Y
 Y
Y
N
 360° swiveling camera head
 N
 Y
 Y
Y
N
 Tripod mountable
 N N N Y N
 Photo Resolution
 5 MP
 8 MP
  8 MP 8 MP
10 MP
 Autofocus
 N
 N
  Y Y
Y
 Built-In Microphone(s)
 Single
 Single Single Single
 Dual Stereo
 Carl Zeiss Optics
 N
N
 N N
Y
 Glass Lens Elements
 N
N
  N Y
Y
 Ultra-Wide Angle Lens
 N
 N
  Y  probably so - couldn't find spec info on this
 Y
 HD Video Recording Resolution
 720p
 720p
  720p 1080p
1080p
 HD Video (record to disk)
 Y
 Y
 Y
Y
 Y
 Digital Zoom
 Y
 Y Y Y
Y
 Intelligent Face Tracking
 Y
 Y
 Y
Y
 Y
 Motion-based Recording (motion detecting)
 Y
 Y
 Y
 Y
 Y
 Noise Canceling Microphone(s)
 Y
 Y
 Y
 Y
 Y
 RightLight™2 Y
 Y
 Y
 Y
Y
 RightSound™ Y
 Y
 Y
 Y
Y
           
 Skype in VGA at 30FPS
 Y
 Y
 Y
 Y Y
 Skype High Quality Video
 Y
 Y
 Y
 Y
 Y
 1-click Facebook Upload
 Y
 Y
Y
Y
 Y
 1-click YouTube Upload
 Y Y
Y Y
Y
           
 Connection Type
 USB
 USB
 USB
 USB
USB
 UVC Compliant
 Y
 Y
 Y Y Y
           
 Video Effects
 Y
 Y
 Y Y
Y
           
 Laptop Friendly
 Y
 Y
 Y
 Y
Y
 Windows Compatible
 Y
 Y
 Y
Y
Y
 Mac Compatible
 N
 N
 N Y Y

Logitech C525 and C615

In my opnion, the Logitech C525, C615, are the best bang for the buck webcams in Logitech's current HD lineup.  Their portability features will be key for many people.  The cameras fold up to completely protect the lens (see pics below), and includes an attached velcro strap to help neatly bundle the cord, and a small carrying case to keep additional dust and grime off of the camera while it bounces around in your laptop bag.  Here's a glamor shot I took of my C510 (replaced by models C525 and C615).



How to Fold the C510, C525, and C615 for Travel or Storage

When I was researching before I bought my C510, I couldn't find pictures anywhere on the web showing how to fold the C510, or even what it  looked like when it was folded.  Well, I took some pictures of my C510 so you could see.  The process is exactly the same on the C525 and C615.  Click any of the pictures to enlarge them.