Creative PC-Cam 750

Little can be said about the 750 that hasn't already been said of its predecessors.

It is the same shape and size, still runs on four AAA batteries and can still be used as either a tethered webcam or a standalone digital camera.

The difference is that this one will snap images at 2.1megapixels (1,600 x 1,200), but it must remain tethered to your PC, and needs to interpolate to achieve that resolution.

When disconnected and used as a standalone camera the resolution drops to 1,024 x 768, which suggests that the interpolation is handled by the bundled PC-Cam Center software rather than the hardware. Even so, this still puts it ahead of the rest of the webcam pack.

The shutter is slightly slow, even in well-lit conditions, so that fast-moving subjects can appear a little soft or blurred.

Colour reproduction, though, is considerably improved over earlier versions of this product, which tended to be a little oversaturated.

While its still images are a long way off rivalling those of dedicated digital cameras, it is far cheaper than a dedicated snapper.

Its flash can be set to auto, on, off or red-eye, and the 16MB of non-upgradable, integrated memory has room to store 85 images at 1,024 x 768 (20 at 1,600 x 1,200).

There is no zoom or LCD, so you'll have to frame your pictures using a viewfinder. It does, however, have a small microphone for use when recording videos; maximum capacity is 75 seconds of 352 x 288 images at 15 frame per second.

If you are looking to buy a new webcam you should certainly give serious consideration to the PC-Cam 750, but if your primary need is a digital camera then it would be a false economy to go down this route.

SPECS

• 1,024 x 768 sensor
• Max interpolated resolution 1,600 x 1,200 (2.1megapixels)
• 16MB memory
• Flash modes: auto, on, off, red-eye
• Shot timer
• 75 seconds of video with audio at 15fps
• Voice recording function
• 60 minutes capacity

DETAILS

Price: £129.99 (£110.63 ex VAT)

Contact: Creative
www.europe.creative.com