IFWATER USB Camera 8MP 10X Optical Zoom Webcam 5-50mm Varifocal Lens, USB Webcam With CMOS IMX179 Image Sensor Video Conference Close-up Web Cameras Plug and Play For Windows Linux Raspberry Pi Camera

If you are in any profession that involves video conferencing, this is the perfect professional tool for your needs. And I'd like to share my experience with them (I say "them" because I've been fortunate enough to try two of them, one smaller but still fantastic in its use). This one also has a Varifocal lens. What is that? Well, in simple terms, there are two basic types of lenses when it comes to focusing: 1) Fixed focus lenses (which can have zoom or close-up capabilities) and 2) Varifocal lenses, which means that their field of view can be expanded (wide-angle) in addition to close-up shots. Another characteristic of this type of professional camera is its stability and the simplicity and range of its focus, as well as its "Plug and Play" connection to Windows. I mainly use the camera to live stream school events. I set it up on a tripod that stays in the same location while the event occurs. I do not walk around or move the camera around, so I cannot speak to how the lens adjusts with movement. However, the camera perfectly produces a clear image of the events. The manual adjustments are easy to set.

The unit I received has no microphone despite the advertising saying it did. However, the video is good and worked well with Windows and Linux. Manual focus, zoom, and lighting worked flawlessly. Framerate is low for any decent resolutions, so this is best used as a monitor, not as a high quality video recording source.

I’ve had a love affair with cameras since I was given my first one in 1960. I still use my fully manual film cameras. So this fully manual camera feels comfortable to me. The need to manually focus and zoom with the focus shifting as I zoom, the manual adjustment of the aperture, all of this I’ve been doing for over 60 years. While the camera might not be the favored choice for a webcam, it would be a very good choice for security as once the zoom, focus, and aperture are set the zoom and focus can be manually locked so that the camera will not go out of adjustment. With the excellent quality lens with zoom capability it might also make an outstanding weather camera. Because of the high definition that this camera offers I’m currently using it for product photography. As soon as I complete its mounting system for the work bench it will be employed as a viewing system for component level electronics repair. This is an exceptional camera for a variety of uses.

I could never get this camera to work properly with my Apple devices.Poor install instructions. Not ready for Western market in my opinion.

First and foremost, understand what this camera is and is not. It is a FULLY MANUAL CONTROLLED camera. You much adjust Zoom, Aperture, and Focus, using the three rings on the lens. Zoom and Focus have tension screws to 'fix' those settings once you have things where you want them. It is also powered via the USB cable, and there are no external controls on the box. Its about as set&forget as they come. This is great for a fixed webcam view of something that doesn't move very much, like the view out of your window. It may work as a workshop camera, to capture or livestream hobby pursuits, but the focal length is a little long for the view of you will get. This is a distance lens setup. The quality of the image is really good, and the lens clarity is exceptional. If your looking for something that is automatic or offers face tracking, or any of the modern features everyone seems to talk about, look elsewhere.

Came without the mounting bracket that is pictured on the box

When I hear the word "camera" I am interested, and this camera interested me. Depending on what you will be using it for, your results will vary. In trying to use it as a web cam, I found it very difficult to get the picture adjusted to any satisfactory settings. The color, especially, was not very accurate, and it was difficult to work with the zoom in close proximity. Although I did not find light to be a problem, it is not something I would use as a webcam. Surveillance or security, however, would be a different matter as color is not as important as is clarity, and the picture is clear. And here the zoom would come in handy. And for other uses that I am not familiar with, it might well be a very precise instrument. It is totally manual, but that is okay for the above mentioned use. I use my DSLR and mirrorless cameras on manual, so that is not a problem. Others who are used to all auto modes will probably find it to be a big adjustment to all manual, but certainly nothing insurmountable. The price is certainly not a factor and if the color was more correct out of the box, I would give it 5 stars, but as it is, I can give it 4 stars.

Positives: Metal body Great lens setup with lots of adjustments Has a lock on each adjustment to prevent misalignment Tripod mount! Long cable! Negatives: Has a bit of oversharpening on the photos Review: This is an absolutely amazing camera for coin photos. I took quite a few and the quality and captured detail far exceeds all of the microscopes I've had previously, even some professional grade ones! I'm extremely happy with this camera overall. I do wish the oversharpening could be mitigated, but the sensor captures so much detail already that it's not really a huge issue. Highly recommended!