Logitech is widely renowned for being a leading peripheral manufacturer, and in addition to being synonymous with mice and keyboards, they have done much in other areas, the most recent being speakers. However, they also have a wide range of webcams, and the chances are that you know someone who has one of them. Webcams can be useful little things, and while they aren't the best for obtaining quality pictures, they are easy to use and can provide a quick means for showing off your newest case mod to your friend over the Internet. The limitations of a webcam extend beyond their picture quality, however, as they are usually tethered to one's computer via a USB cable, and as such, have a limited range that is dictated by the length of the cable, usually around 3m or so. This can make it difficult or impossible to take simple snapshots of other stuff around your place.

   Enter Logitech's ClickSmart line up, which debuted a little while ago. With these three cameras, the ClickSmart 310, 420 and 510, Logitech has aimed to bridge the gap between webcams and digital cameras. Each of these ClickSmart cameras can function just as a webcam would, sitting atop a pedestal on your monitor, looking down at you, or, they can be take off their seat and used as a stand-alone camera, powered by batteries instead of the USB interface. Today, I'll be looking at the flagship model of the ClickSmart line, the 510, and we'll see if Logitech has put together a winning combination, or just tried to port a webcam into the case of a portable camera in an undercooked fashion.

Specifications:

   The ClickSmart 510 package includes pretty much all the features you'd find on or with a modern webcam, that being, a microphone, a nice software package and the ability to take both still-frame shots and video. Additionally, there are also features included that make the camera reminiscent of a true digital camera, such as, a flash, a removable 8MB SmartMedia card, a small indicator LCD at the back, and other details.

• Up to 1.3 megapixel picture resolution
• High-quality VGA CCD sensor (640x480)
• Built-in microphone and flash
• Removable 8 MB SmartMedia memory card
• Used as a digital camera:
• Still image resolution: Up to 1.3 megapixels (1280x960)
• Video capture resolution: Up to 320x240 pixels
• Frame rate: Up to 15 frames per second
• Estimated for 8MB SmartMedia memory card:
• 120 pictures in 640x480 or 1.3 megapixels
• 480 pictures or 40 seconds of video in 320x240 pixels
• 90 seconds of video in 160x120 pixels
• Focus settings: Close-up 1.3 feet (40 cm) to 3 feet (91 cm)
• Distance 3 feet (91 cm) to infinity
• 40-degree field of view, f 2.8
• Used as a web camera:
• Still image resolution: Up to 640x480 pixels
• Video capture resolution: Up to 640x480 pixels
• Frame rate: Up to 30 frames per second
• For additional specs, see page here.
• Two-year limited hardware warranty

   The ClickSmart 510 continues the Logitech tradition in terms of look and packaging. The 510 has the same "Yuppie" (for lack of a better word, not meant in a derogatory way...) look as most other Logitech products, and certainly does not look like most other digital cameras out there. In fact, it looks almost toyish, and some may mistake it for a kids' product! Aside from looks, the 510 is mostly made of plastic as one would expect, except for the right handgrip which is covered in a rubber-like surface.

   The camera comes attached to its pedestal, which provides a nice steady base for it to sit on when in webcam mode. Unlike the QC Pro 4000 I reviewed earlier, the 510 can be attached securely to its base, and doesn't tend to fall out inadvertently when you are trying to reposition the camera or swivel it. A 2m (~6ft) USB cable is included as well, to provide attachment to one's computer. I would have liked this cable to be a bit longer, perhaps 3m, even though you can use the camera without having it attached to the computer.

   Both the video and audio data (from the built-in microphone) are transferred over the USB 1.1 connection, so there is no need for an additional audio cable.

Logitech packaging.

Camera is packaged for a nice display.

Logitech-styling.

   The included 8MB SmartMedia is more than suffice for providing storage space for the pictures that you can take with this camera when in standalone mode. Fixed right to the plastic packaging is a sticker telling you how to insert this into the camera. It was nice to see that the 4 AAA batteries needed were included, and this also continues a fine Logitech tradition. The batteries will last for a respectable period of time, depending on, of course, whether you use the flash, among other things. An investment in some quality NiMH rechargeables could be in order if you plan on using this camera a lot.

   Lastly, the usual software bundle is included, with the Logitech CD providing the ImageStudio software and drivers, and two MGI CD's providing the bundled software. A nice manual is also included that should help most anyone install and setup this camera without trouble.

8MB SmartMedia card.

4 AAA batteries included as well.

Software bundle + Manual and other info cards.

   The camera has a manual focus ring up front around the lens, as is the case with Logitech webcams, and it has two settings: Closeup for objects about a meter away, and distance, for objects more than a meter away. In practice, the camera could not focus well on objects closer than about 30cm or a foot away, so if you plan on taking really close up shots, this should be a major letdown for you. To help convey the image that this is also a digital camera, a handstrap and lens cap are included, both of which are attached to the right handgrip of the camera. The flash for the camera is also easily seen from the front, and the input for the microphone is directly right of the lens in the middle picture below.

   Next to the mic input, is an indicator LED that lights up red when a picture is taken. When the camera is operating in webcam mode, and being used, this front LED will instead be green. Below the mic and LED is a button (with the Logitech logo on it) that, when pushed, tells the ImageStudio software to transfer any pictures on the camera's SmartMedia card to the computer, if the camera is connected to the computer, of course. This button has an LED behind it and will light up green when there are pictures to be transferred, and flash green when pics are being transferred.

Manual focus ring has 2 settings.

A lens cover/cap is included.

Back of the camera.

   The back of the camera has several buttons, a small buzzer/speaker, a LCD, the USB connection and of course the viewfinder. Directly below the viewfinder is a small red LED; if you have turned off the flash on the camera this LED will light up after taking a picture if the flash is recommended because of low light levels; Otherwise if you have turned the flash on this LED will flash red when the flash is charging. Below, is a set of three holes where a small buzzer is located behind; From this buzzer comes simulated "shutter" noises when a picture is taken, or beeping noises when the camera is turned on. Thankfully, these audio aids can be turned off.

   The On/Off button, the topmost one, must be held down for about three seconds to turn on the camera when it is in standalone mode, and if the camera is not used for a few minutes, it will automatically turn itself off like most digital cameras, to save on battery power. The mode and select buttons serve to adjust the camera's settings, which are seen on the LCD. The LCD is a fairly simple one (don't expect to find a high-res colour LCD for picture previewing on this dual-use camera), but it does its job of telling you the settings and so forth; Some of the icons can be cryptic, as is the case with small LCD's, but the included manual and quick reference card do a good job of explaining them to you. At the bottom is the USB jack, which is covered by a rubber stopper/cover. This cover felt a little flimsy and I am worried it will fall off one day; it tends to get in the way when the camera is attached to the pedestal and the USB cable is in place.

LCD with info on settings, pics left, battery life, etc.

Both the SmartMedia cover and USB cover are rubber attachments.

USB cover tends to get in the way at times.

   On one side is the slot for the SmartMedia card; it too is covered by a flimsy rubber cover that has to be bent, rather than swung open, to allow for the memory card to be slid into place. I really would have liked this and the USB cover to be made of something perhaps more securely attached to the camera body. The battery compartment is in the handgrip area, and accepts the four included AAA batteries. The cover for the battery compartment, thankfully, closes quite firmly, and doesn't have the same feel to it as the SmartMedia cover does.

   When this camera is operating in webcam mode, you'll probably want to attach it to the pedestal, and you'll be happy note that the 510 clips on at three points, so there are no problems with it falling off. The pedestal can be swiveled or pivoted on its base to position the camera properly, and the oval base does a good job of staying in place - the base has a ring of rubber grips on it.

Camera is attached to pedestal at three points.

Battery compartment.

Base/Pedestal is stable and has a gripped underside.

The shutter button on the top and to the left of the flash, near the handgrip.

   The handgrip, while perhaps a little small, is nice to hold on to, thanks in part to the rubber texture on it. Button position was fairly well thought out - with your right hand on the grip, your index finger is primed on the shutter (as it should be), while your thumb can readily access any of the three buttons on the back.

   The only problem occurs if you use your left hand to balance the camera - in such a case one of your left hand digits tends to depress the "Logitech" button on the front. This won't have an effect when the camera is in standalone mode, but if the camera is attached to the computer, this causes the ImageStudio software to try to transfer any pictures from the camera's SmartMedia card to the computer, interrupting whatever you may be doing. This won't be a problem for most people, as if you're holding the camera and moving it around to take pictures, it will usually be in standalone mode, but I often use the camera in this fashion while it's connected to the PC in webcam mode, so that I can get an instant preview of how the picture turned out.

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