Is CF-31 webcam really that bad?

I would really like to have a webcam built into my CF-31 so not so many peripherals have to be carried when traveling, but after reading this thread:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/cf31-factory-webcam-no-control.743066/

Is the Panasonic webcam really that bad?

 

I can't imagine it being that bad.
I have one in my CF 19 mk6 and it does fine for what it is.
It is not my Nikon D300 nor does it claim to be.
I would bet the details are in whatever software you use.
I will upload a sample from my CF19 in the near future.

On later mks, I believe there is something in Dashboard for the camera..

 

Shawn, CF-31 has a real webcam (for video calls etc) while your CF-19 has only rear camera. You can call it webcam too, of course, but it is not

 

BarrMaley, You are correct. That's what I get for typing before I had my morning caffeine

The CF19 camera is
3MP camera with auto focus and dual LED light

The CF31 camera is

so far unknown specs..I will keep looking

 

The short answer... YES... It's REALLY that bad! I used mine a little bit when I got it but covered the lens with tape after a while. If you use lighting to your advantage it's a lot better... But you need to be in an extremely well lit area!

 

in other words ...
grainy
noisy
the color and gamma suck
i think that is why i can't remember much about the one i have .
maybe i had better fire mine up .

was there a change in the camera used over time ?
seems that if the early cameras sucked , they would have changed over to better units .

 

Thanks for input. It sounds like I'm better off using external webcam.

 

I don't use the web cams so can not comment...please advise

 

For $200 it costs to buy Panasonic webcam, it should work at least as good as the $15.00 ones in cheap laptops.

The little 7-pin connector on back of the CF-31 screen doesn't match any cable I've been able to find. All the 7-pin ones I've ordered so far have been too wide, and wrong spacing.

So I guess my USB Logitech C615 will have to do.

 

And the best webcam for CF-19 is
Microsoft Lifecam NX-6000.
Extremely firm mounting, similar colors, short cable. Cool overall construction

 

BaRRmaley,

How long it that cable?

 

610mm according to pdf on ms site

 

There you have it;
https://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-94N-00001-LifeCam-NX-6000-Webcam/dp/B000GOUE7Y

 

Less than $10 on ebay. New. I like it, though 99% of time I use my phone's camera for videocalls.

 

Hi everyone,

If you are interested in a high quality webcam kit with auto-focus feature and built in microphone for CF31 Toughbook, you can check this website - www.tecrotech.com

There are some videos and picture samples taken with it in different conditions to show the quality at both 8 megapixels and at 1080p resolution (supports 720p as well) at 30fps, smooth videos and very good quality for a webcam. In addition, it has a sensitive digital microphone and the auto-focus is great, delivers best details for close objects as well as for far scenes.

I hope you like it.

Thanks