Logitech 420: Great picture webcam with portability (Logitech Clicksmart 420)

Name: Dando83

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Product:	Logitech Clicksmart 420
Date:	22/06/06 (48 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good resolution for webcamming, good and stable software, portable, cool looking

Disadvantages: Poor resolution and memory for digital pics, unstable base, crazy bright flash

I've been using this for 3+ years with no desire to replace it yet. That says something.

You get a camera (with mic and flash), stand, USB cable, and Logitech's Image Studio camera software. I believe I also got the AAA batteries needed to power the cam when off the PC.

Shaped more like a regular camera than a webcam, the Clicksmart is actually designed to come off its USB tether to be used as a point and shoot camera\video camera (with sound). Pictures up to 1.3MP (software enhanced) are stored on 8MB of internal memory. At the lower resolutions you can fit 80 of them.

Several years on, with digital camera technology the way it is, you'll find the quality of these pics to be appalling. BUT if you want the kids to have a good time snapping things, it's perfect. All that you can really control is the flash and the picture resolution (low or hi). Upon reconnecting the camera to the USB cable, pictures can be transferred to a computer folder of your choice.

One odd complaint I have about using the camera away from the PC is that the flash is incredibly bright. Close up pics often appeared completely white. I have a few pictures where the bright light and squinty eyes of my subjects has made it look like I was committing some sort of sci-fi murders.

I usually use my Clicksmart as a webcam. This is where it shines. Batteries are not required in this mode. The resolution of up to 640x480 is quite respectable for webcamming and videoconferencing using MSN or Yahoo Messenger or even Skype. But this isn't the best part. Logitech cameras of this quality and above produce a very sharp picture. It's immensely more satisfying knowing that my ugly face is crystal clear when I see the grainy and dull images produced with many other makes and models.

You'll have noticed upon installing the drivers that the camera has a built in mic that works through the same USB cord as the video bits. This works reasonably well at 2-3 feet away, but don't count on anything further.

Though not the camera's fault, having a second mic on your PC (the first will be the one that comes with your sound card) can get confusing when attempting a voice recording. Remember to check whether you are recording from the Logitech Quickcam MIC when using the recording software of your choice. Many will default to your soundcard's mic plug. When using Skype, I've often got to check the right mic is selected.

Another downside I've come across in webcam mode is that the Clicksmart is very needy when it comes to light. There is a low light mode in the software, but it effectively lowers the frame rate to a point where the image becomes choppy. If you have a handy lamp though, you can keep the low-light mode off and enjoy a smooth 30 frames per second.

I've found the plain flat base offers very little grippy support for the camera when it's atop your monitor. And if I recall, I never got a clip to use it on an LCD screen. Also, when angling the camera, the camera easily detaches from the base. My advice...position it right, then don't touch it.

Logitech software is good, allowing you to do some really neat things like stop-motion (think A-T Walkers from Return of the Jedi) or time-lapse photography. The usual tools for taking videos and stills is also present. The drivers are bundled with the whole package requiring a very large download just for new drivers. Really though, it's a dead issue now that the software for this camera is no longer being updated. You'll download once and that's it.

Though this particular model has a few niggles I have no hesitation recommending the Logitech Clicksmart 420. The video and sound quality are worth it.

ADDENDUM:
I have recently replaced this camera with the Clicksmart 510. The only difference is this camera provides removable SMARTMEDIA storage. This means i can take more hi-rez pics on a bigger memory card when I'm away from the PC.

I'd have given the 510 an express review...only Dooyoo appears to be erroring out when I try.

Summary: Grandma will appreciate seeing your ugly face more clearly.

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