We compared two popular Logitech webcams at very different prices: the Full HD C920S with a privacy shutter and the budget 720p C270.
What we looked at
Video resolution, lens and autofocus, microphones, privacy features, compatibility, and price. The C270 copy sticks to its listing title, because its feature bullets on Amazon are placeholder text.
The verdict
If you want Full HD 1080p video, a glass lens with autofocus, stereo microphones and a privacy shutter for calls or streaming, the C920S is the higher-quality pick, at more than twice the price. If you just need an affordable webcam for everyday video calls, the C270 gives you HD 720p at under £18.
Full HD 1080p with a glass lens, stereo mics and a privacy shutter, but it costs more than twice as much.
An HD 720p webcam with a noise-reducing mic at under £18, but no 1080p and no privacy shutter listed.
Logitech C920S HD Pro Webcam, Full HD 1080p/30fps, Privacy Shutter — Best Video Quality
Intended for: Marketed as a Full HD 1080p/30fps USB webcam with a five-element glass lens, autofocus, HD light correction, dual stereo microphones and a privacy shutter, for Windows, Mac, Chrome OS and Android.
What we liked
- Full HD 1080p video at 30fps
- Five-element glass lens with a 78 degree field of view and automatic HD autofocus
- Automatic light correction, stated to help in dim settings
- Two microphones, one each side of the lens, for stereo audio with background-noise filtering
- Privacy shutter that covers the lens
- Works with Windows 7 and later, Mac OS 10.10 and later, Android and Chrome OS, and with Skype, Google Hangouts, FaceTime, OBS and XSplit
Worth knowing
- Costs more than twice as much as the Logitech C270 on these listings
Best for
- Remote workers and streamers who want Full HD video
- Anyone who wants a privacy shutter
- Buyers who want stereo audio and glass-lens autofocus
Not ideal for
- Budget-conscious buyers
- Anyone who only needs basic video calls
Logitech C270 HD Webcam, HD 720p/30fps — Best Budget Pick
Intended for: Marketed as an HD 720p/30fps webcam for widescreen video calling, with HD light correction and a noise-reducing microphone, for Skype, FaceTime, PC and Mac.
What we liked
- Costs less than half as much as the Logitech C920S on these listings
- HD 720p video at 30fps for widescreen video calling
- HD light correction
- Noise-reducing microphone
- Listing names Skype, FaceTime, PC and Mac
Worth knowing
- 720p rather than the C920S 1080p
- No privacy shutter is mentioned in the listing title
Best for
- Anyone who wants an affordable webcam for everyday video calls
- Students and home workers on a budget
- A cheap spare or second-desk webcam
Not ideal for
- Streamers who want Full HD video
- Anyone who wants a privacy shutter
