Mac Webcams That Just Work

Connect & Video Chat With Family & Friends

Looking to buy a driverless, fully Macintosh friendly UVC compatible web cam? Have USB 2.0 Ports? Many cameras made for Windows PC's simply DO NOT WORK on Apple Macintosh computers - Mac cam drivers may not exist. Models listed here are simply Plug and Play on modern Macs running OSX 10.4.11 and Leopard 10.5+. Save yourself wasted money and frustration. Make certain you have USB 2.0 speed ports and a Mac faster than 1Ghz - then confidently choose one of these known-working driverless UVC webcam models listed below.

DRIVER-FREE: UVC - UNIVERSAL USB 2.0 VIDEO CLASS CAMS

UVC is a new compatibility standard in USB2 video-chat cameras. The iSight webcam built into recent iMac and MacBook models is compliant. Apple's UVC Kernel Extensions in OSX Tiger & Leopard means any UVC based USB cam should just work when plugged into a USB2 speed port. No webcam drivers required. Windows 7, Vista and Linux also natively supports UVC class video cameras. These listed are ideal as an external webcam for an Apple Mac mini or Pro tower - and also are good Cross-Platform PC and Linux webcams as well for those who use VMWare Fusion or Parallels.

PLUG-N-PLAY OS X WEBCAM PICKS

Known UVC Compliant Cams - Last Updated: 08/12/2010

#1 QUALITY IMAGE: Logitech QuickCam Vision Pro for Mac
The Mac Vision webcam is now more affordable than ever at Amazon.com - Especially with recent below-list competitive pricing from 3rd-party sellers.
Like: Hardware-based Autofocus and RightLight2. No software needed. Quality Carl Zeiss glass lens, built-in microphone, desktop or laptop mount
Dislike: Nuttin! It's the best USB webcam for Mac made to date!

FYI: While the Vision Pro appears to be a cosmetically redesigned 9000 Pro with gray and silver case, it is VERY DIFFERENT ON THE INSIDE. The Quickcam Vision Pro's Auto Focus and Rightlight technology is all done within the camera hardware, and hence has improved frame-rates and superior low-light sensitivity. That's worth the price premium and buying up for. You will LOVE the clarity and response of this camera! For those who prefer shopping the Apple Store - they also list the Vision Pro, as does NewEgg & MacMall.


Creative Labs HD Webcam
Like: Fixed Focus, Good Frame Rates At ALL Resolution Settings
Dislike: Not Quite As Sharp As High-End Glass Lens Logitech Cams


Luxury Logitech QuickCam Ultra - Fixed Focus
Like: Quality Glass Lens. Hassle-Free SHARP Fixed Focus.
Dislike: Discontinued.. But Available. It's A High-Quality 1.3MP Web Camera


Blue Microphones EYEBALL - USB Cam + Microphone
Like: Top Quality Condenser Mic, Pop-Out 2MP Webcam
Dislike: None: For Microphone Deprived Pro Towers or Mac Mini


2 Megapixel Dualpix High-End Web Cam
Like: 2MP Resolution, Mic, Wide-Angle Fixed-Focus
Dislike: Touted Features Like Digital Zoom Not Mac Supported


Hewlett-Packard UVC Webcam
Like: 1.3MP Resolution. VERY Good Light Sensitivity
Dislike: None. Great Price. Excellent Mac Web Cam


Microsoft Live! Web Cam - Value Priced
Like: Suprising Image Quality, Adjustable Focus Ring, Low-Cost
Dislike: Stand Designed For Desktop Not Laptop. No Microphone

THESE BELOW ARE GOOD UVC CAMS OVERALL - BUT...

Since they don't have Mac or Linux specific software utilities, don't perform as optimally as they could: Perhaps best for Cross-Platform PC/Mac users running VMware Fusion, Parallels or Leopard's BootCamp:

Logitech HD Pro Webcam 720p-1080p Video *
Like: State Of The Art HD Webcam. Zeiss Lens. Stereo Microphone
Performs Spectacularly at 320x240 and 640x480 chat resolutions. However...
Dislike: AutoFocus Functions Not Mac Supported, Most OSX Apps don't yet support 720 HD or Higher Resolutions. *HD Modes Absolutely Require 2.4GHZ Intel Core2-Duo minimum, Otherwise Low HD Frame Rates Common*

Microsoft LifeCam HD-720P
Like: Sharp Image, Good Color and Light Balance
Dislike: AutoFocus Functions Not Mac Supported, Most OSX Apps don't support 720 HD Resolutions. Frame Rate Sluggish On Slower Macs

Logitech Pro For Notebooks
Like: Quality Ziess Lens, Good Light Sensitivity & Color Balance
Dislike: Designed For Laptop-Travel - But Comes With Desktop Stand, Mounting Clip Not Well-Designed, AF Functions Not Mac Supported

Popular QuickCam Logitech Pro 9000
Like: Optical Quality Carl Zeiss Lens, Sharp, Good Color Balance
Sharp Hi-Res 2mp Sensor, Desktop/Laptop Mount, Built-In Microphone
Dislike: Logitech's Autofocus functions are not supported on the Mac

With these 2 models; they will perform like a very high quality FIXED FOCUS cam. Many Mac buyers love their 9000 or NoteBook Pro cams, but be aware Logitech's RightLight 2 function may cause lower frame rates in low-light conditions.

Note: Only a VERY FEW of Logitech's many webcam models are UVC compliant or work on a Mac! The above two Pro models are absolutely UVC-Mac compatible; Many Mid-To-Low-End Logitech cameras are NOT UVC compliant: Depends on model #, different internal sensors, & part numbers! Choose carefully.

LESS THAN GREAT MAC WEB CAMERA CHOICES

MAC COMPATIBLE - BUT NOT VERY GOOD
The HP Deluxe Value Cam Above Is A Better $30 Choice Than These:

Pico iMage USB 2.0 Webcam:
Like: Click Tilt Adjustment. Good Light Response & Color Balance.
Standard Tripod Camera Mount Hole
Dislike: Rather GRAINY Image - No Built-in Microphone

LOUSY BUDGET CAM: MacAlly VGA IceCam 2
Like: Sturdy Clip, Adjustable Focus Ring, On Indicator LED
Dislike: Needs VERY Bright Light Levels. Off-Color Problems. Cheap Import Cam Rebranded with MacAlly Logo. Harsh, Hollow Sounding Microphone.

Looks-Like-A-Logitech Driverless Cam
Like: Penny-Pincher Cheap UVC cam. Good Image Sharpness
Dislike: Ripoff Design. Very Cheap Low Quality Microphone

CAPTURE YOUTUBE CLIPS - ON THE GO!

Tho not a 'webcam', the latest iteration of Flip Video's MinoHD Camcorder is a great addition to your video capture toolkit. This improved Flip mino HD model records in H.264 MPEG-4 format thats more Mac friendly and easier to work with DIRECTLY on your Mac if you need to EDIT in iMovie before uploading. (Earlier, lesser models of the Flip are bulkier, require extra conversion steps). Built-In software can automate uploads to You Tube and other major video sites. All this in a new ultra-slim form-factor barely the size of an iPod nano!! A mobile, micro, on-the-go "virtual webcam".

DV QUALITY APPLE iSIGHT & FIREWIRE OPTIONS

You CAN still find decent, used Apple iSight cams at Amazon without having to slug it out for an iSight on eBay. Why Apple stopped manufacturing their very high-quality 1394 FireWire auto-focus web camera is beyond logic. 1394 is better than USB for video conferencing & chat in many technical aspects: Less CPU overhead, higher frame-rates and avoids USB devices slugging it out on a hub. The Apple iSight's closest available competitor is now from UniBrain: The 640x480 Fire-i Video Webcam has a clip mount tho it lacks the iSight's built-in microphone, sharp optics and close range autofocus. Old iBot & ADS Pyro 1394b cams exist; neither as highly rated as the Fire-i. Many DV camcorders like the Canon ZR-Series MiniDV Camera can be a versatile choice for webcam use: The Mac sees them as a " IIDC FireWire device. Record to tape - or use as a FireWire DV web cam with high resolution auto-focus. So USB cameras aren't the only options to provide Macintosh users with high quality choices to chat & video-conference using popular Mac applications like iChat, Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger, Skype, ISPQ VideoChat or for uploading clips to YouTube.

CHEAP DRIVERLESS UVC MAC WEBCAMS

"You get what you pay for" applies to these dirt-cheapest import USB video class web cameras. Feeling lucky? Don't care about warranty or returning it? Then explore these maybe, ought-to, should, might probably work on an Apple driverless web camera options:

WEBCAMS FOR OLD MAC? USB 1.1 PORTS?
OSX 10.2 or OSX 10.3 PANTHER?

Think FireWire instead. High-Resolution UVC cams SIMPLY WILL NOT WORK on old 800mhz or less Macs, who's slow USB 1.x speed ports are over FOURTY times slower. Those that claim to like Creative's line may have UTTERLY ABYSMAL frame-rates on USB 1.x - or show NO image at all even tho System Profiler may recognize the cam on the USB 1.1 bus. The Original Macally IceCam is one of the few widely available Non-UVC USB 1.1 cams suitable for Macs in the 800mhz or less range. It's Sonix sensor driver DOES NOT WORK ON OSX 10.5, but works OK for 10.4 or lower. Also the Genius Look 313 5-in-1 USB 1.1 Speed Web Camera (with USB Speaker, USB 2 port hub, Headset and Microphone jack) uses a Sonix sensor and only works on 10.4.11 and lower. The high-quality option is the adjustable-focus HUE HD PC-Mac Flex Webcam from Clique it too uses a Sonix SN9C1xx sensor. Tho NOT UVC compliant and requires drivers - it is a workable solution for either USB 1.1 or 2.0 ports, and available in 6 fashion color choices. With the two above, you'll likey need eCamm's $10 iUSBcam software to try to get them to work with iChat. Otherwise, you're left dinking around with any of hundreds of old cheap cams made for Windows and fiddling with Macam or IOXperts drivers hoping for a combination that will work.

SOUND DECISIONS : USB CHAT MICROPHONE PICKS

Some Mac's & webcams lack a built-in microphone. Head-sets or earbuds aren't glamourous for adult video conferencing in particular. The Logitech USB Desktop Microphone is a fine choice with great sound quality & easy to tap mute switch. But feedback, hard drive & fan noise can be problematic. USB headsets may have more advantages than 1/8" mini-jack types that often compete with your speaker system. A high-quality choice head and shoulders above all others in it's price range: the Logitech ClearChat Pro Headset gets rave reviews for not only Mac VOIP calls and video conferencing - but top notch iTunes audio and Podcast recording as well.

AUDIO ACCESSORIES : USB SPEAKER SYSTEMS

Many Laptops have pretty lousy built-in speakers - Making chat and video-conferencing difficult in all but the quietest of controlled environments. Two very popular picks featured at www.macbook-speakers.com for exceptional external audio are the suprisingly good sounding 1-Piece Tritton Sound Bite Portable USB Digital Speaker gets both power and 2.1 stereo audio over a single USB cable in a compact unit great for travel. For the desktop - And often available for $35 Or Less - The A/C powered Logitech AudioHub is an absolute bargain combo device with high-fidelity 2.1 stereo speakers, a powered 3-port USB 2.0 speed USB hub, smart cable wrap-management, and an optional clip-on bracket to hold a webcam. It's a GREAT PRODUCT to consolidate some of your gizmos into a single sleek box and minimize a rats-nest of wires. Highly recommended!

OPERATING SYSTEM SUPPORT FOR UVC DRIVERLESS WEBCAMS

LINUX USB video class support is provided by the Linux UVC driver
MAC OS X OSX ships with a UVC driver included since version 10.4.3 Tiger, updated in 10.4.9+ to work with iChat. OS X 10.5 Leopard provides full webcam support.
PLAYSTATION 3 The Play Station 3 added support for UVC web cams in firmware version 1.54.
SUN SOLARIS Includes support for UVC webcams in the form of the usb vc driver for OpenSolaris. The driver ships with Solaris Express Build 56 and later.
WINDOWS Windows XP has basic support for USB video class webcams since Service Pack 2/3. Windows Vista ships with FULL native UVC class driver support included.