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We have tested a wide variety of cameras with Test my Cam, and pretty much anything that works with Windows DirectShow will give you a satisfactory experience, but a few cameras stand out for having superior image quality due to superior optics and optical auto-focus.

For general desktop usage, I recommend the Logitech Webcam Pro 9000 (The identical camera is sold as the QuickCam Pro 9000). It has a bracket that will fit over the top of most monitors, a long USB cable that will reach the computer under your desk and (most importantly) mechanical auto-focus. You can find this camera for $75 – $100.

If you are using a laptop or notebook computer that doesn’t come with a built-in webcam, if you want a higher quality image than most laptops provide, or if you just want a second video feed to use with webcamchatroulette‘s auxiliary camera feature, you will want something smaller that will clip on the somewhat thinner laptop screen. Fortunately, Logitech squeezes the same optics and electronics from the 9000, including auto-focus, into a smaller package, the QuickCam Pro for Notebooks, (also sold as the Webcam C905) for $75 – $100. Warning: Logitech frequently revises its naming scheme. Do not confuse the QuickCam Pro for Notesbooks with the older, inferior, QuickCam for Notebooks Pro.

For a little bit more money, the Logitech QuickCam Orbit AF ($100 – #130) will put the same high quality camera on top of a stick with remote control pan and tilt. You can click on the other person’s picture and make their camera move. The zoom, alas, is not optical, so you as you zoom in you won’t necessarily see any more detail.

If you find yourself in a computer store faced with a shelf full of Logitech cameras, an easy rule of thumb is to look on the box for the magic words “mechanical auto focus” – accept no substitutes!

Microsoft is also in the camera business. Most of its webcams were nothing special, but the Microsoft LifeCam Cinema is a notable exception. This camera has a really good bracket that seems to work with everything, excellent optics and, of course, mechanical auto focus. It also claims to put out HD video at 30 fps. I couldn’t get it to go over 15 fps at 720p, but at that setting the image quality is stunning. We’ve been running it at that resolution in a version of Skype and everyone I’ve called with it wants one. Finally, if you are building out a conference room and cost is no object, you should look into one of the Sony cameras:  •EVI-D30 •EVI-D70 •EVI-D100

Any of these units will cost you around $1,000, although many people have found used ones on eBay for far less. At this price point you get really high quality optics and mechanical zoom as well as pan-tilt. It’s an analog camera, so you will need a digitizer such as the Pinnacle Dazzle or ADS Tech Video Xpress to connect it to your computer, and may need a USB-to-serial adapter to make use of the motors. And be sure to flip the little switch on the bottom to D30 emulation mode!