Logitech ClickSmart 310 > Reviews (4)

I thought I will write a review about a thing which is one of the most used object in my daily life. And that is my digicam + webcam! Yes, it puts me in touch with tens of my friends, both from the real world and from the cyber space. And not only that, it allows me to gather memories by functioning as a digital camera too!

I was actually looking for buying a webcam when I came across this piece and its additional function as a low resolution digital camera impressed me to jump on the purchase. I owned a Philips webcam which was sort of Ok with respect to resolution. Not that Logitech is a perfect device but for the amount you put in, it is a superlative thing.

I bought this on Ebay for £14 and when I opened the pack I was surprised at its sturdy but sleek design and compactness. The silver gray and blue body of the camera attacts your eyes instantly. The grip on the camera is good and allows easy handling.

The fixed lens is well protected with a lens cap. Also, it looks cool on your computer monitor. The setup is dead easy and took me less than 5 minutes to install the software.

System Requirements

* Microsoft Windows 98/ME/2000/XP
* Pentium class processor, 233MHz or better
* Available USB port

Package Includes

* Logitech ClickSmart 310 Camera
* Smart Media Memory Card
* USB Cable
* Software CD

I will split this review into two parts. The first bit will review the digital camera part of it and the second will review the webcam story.

The best part function of this camera is as a webcam. The device slots easily into a small cradle with a swiveling head and connects to your PC with the included USB cable. The cam also draws power from the USB cable. I have used it with MSN messenger and Yahoo messenger and it is perfectly compatible with them. I have also shot small videos (max 15 secs long) to put in my webpage and the quality is good. Though I have never tried it, it is said that NetMeeting from Microsoft is also included for videoconferencing. This allows broadcasts of live video shows using the QuickCam software. Miscellaneous options include creating movies and animations using the camera. But the best of the features is the motion detector. Because there is no indictor that shows that the camera is in operation, so you can use it record videos without others knowing (not that I need to do it at home but that option still tingles the adverture bone :) As as webcam, the Logitech 310 works excellent with superior image quality even in low light. It can capture images at 30 frames per second which enhances the webcam quality. All in all, Logitech webcam is excellent for its money!

Frankly, the digital camera function of the Logitech is not its best function. It is good and as-easy-as-it-gets for snap shooting but if you want good photography, go elsewhere. The digital photos using the Logitech ones are not of a great quality. When attached, you can take still images with resolution up to 640x480 and 352x288 when unattached. But what is interesting is the Multi-Snap mode which allows you to take a series of photos at one second intervals.

The cam also records low quality videos of resolution up to 640x480 when attached and 176 x 144 when unattached. A 2 MB SDRAM for internal memory is also given which can hold up to 160 pictures. There is a 10 second timer for taking a delayed snap, which is pretty neat if you think of it. This needs 4 AAA batteries to operate as a digital camera and a low battery level indicator tells you that change batteries is required. The photo quality is good when you take pictures in bright light but photos taken in poor light are straight to the Recycle Bin. Indoor pictures fall in the grey zone between these extremes. Transferring photos and videos to the computer is also a straight forward business. Plug in the USB and click on download. Thats it! The Quickcam software that comes with the package allows you to view the photos. The software is a fun thingy to play with nice photo-editing and viewing tools. You can also build webpages with the software. In summary, the snapshot functionality is a nice novelty but not for serious photo shoots. Focusing and flash are not provided and more over there are no exposure settings.

In totality, I am very satisfied with this camera and recommend it as a webcam for other users.