Laptop webcams have a history of poor image quality. While resolution has improved, factors like autofocus, sensor size, and lens quality still significantly impact performance. Recent Technetbook tests reveal some 2024 laptops have better color accuracy than even the iPhone 16 Plus, though sharpness remains an issue.
The iPhone 16 Plus's main camera has an average Delta-E (color deviation) value of 7.41. Surprisingly, some laptops have achieved significantly lower values, indicating better color accuracy. However, many laptops still have webcams with Delta-E values exceeding 20, highlighting the persistent problem of poor color reproduction.
Top-Performing Laptop Webcams (Delta-E ≤ 7)
Out of 48 laptops tested, only six achieved a Delta-E of 7 or less, with values under 3 being ideal. HP laptops account for half of this list.
| Laptop | Camera Resolution | Delta-E |
|---|---|---|
| Dell XPS 13 9345 | 2 MP | 5.53 |
| Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i 15IRU9 | 0.9 MP | 5.64 |
| HP Envy 17-da0076ng | 4.4 MP | 6.4 |
| HP ZBook Power 16 G11 A | 5 MP | 6.56 |
| Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 | 2.1 MP | 6.64 |
| HP ZBook Fury 16 G11 | 5 MP | 6.87 |
Full Webcam Test Results
The table below shows Delta-E values for all 48 laptops tested. Lower values are better.
| Laptop | Camera Resolution | Delta-E |
|---|---|---|
| Lenovo Yoga Slim 6 14APU8 | 2 MP | 7.4 |
| Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 15ILL9 Aura | 2 MP | 7.44 |
| Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5 16IMH G9 | 2 MP | 7.86 |
| Schenker XMG Evo 14 M24 | 2 MP | 8.3 |
| Maingear ML-16 MK2 | 2 MP | 8.74 |
| MSI Raider 18 HX A14V | 2 MP | 9 |
| Medion S17431-MD62640 | 2.1 MP | 9.04 |
| Framework Laptop 13.5 | 2.1 MP | 9.1 |
| Lenovo ThinkPad L14 G5 | 5 MP | 9.2 |
| Asus ProArt P16 H7606WI | 2 MP | 9.46 |
| Medion SPRCHRGD 14 S1 Elite | 2.1 MP | 9.66 |
| HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 | 9 MP | 9.7 |
| Dell XPS 13 9350 | 2 MP | 9.89 |
| Asus TUF Gaming A14 FA401WV | 2 MP | 10.04 |
| HP EliteBook x360 1040 G11 | 5 MP | 10.2 |
| Acer Swift 14 AI SF14-51-58TU | 3.7 MP | 10.26 |
| Asus ZenBook S 16 OLED UM5606 | 2 MP | 10.31 |
| Asus VivoBook S 14 OLED | 2 MP | 10.41 |
| Nubia RedMagic Titan 16 Pro | 2.1 MP | 10.69 |
| Honor MagicBook Art 14 | 2 MP | 10.73 |
| Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen5 Hybrid | 2 MP | 11.18 |
| Acer Predator Helios Neo 14 | 2.1 MP | 11.52 |
| Lenovo ThinkPad T14 G5 | 5 MP | 11.54 |
| Lenovo Yoga Pro 7 14 G9 | 2 MP | 11.81 |
| Zenbook S 14 UX5406 | 2 MP | 12.04 |
| Apple MacBook Pro 14 2024 - M4 Pro | 12 MP | 12.08 |
| Lenovo Yoga Slim 7X 14 | 2 MP | 12.11 |
| Apple MacBook Pro 16 2024 - M4 Pro | 12 MP | 12.77 |
| Lenovo Legion 9 16IRX9 | 2 MP | 13.1 |
| Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 | 5 MP | 13.59 |
| Dell Latitude 7450 2-in-1 | 2.1 MP | 18.09 |
| MSI Sword 16 | 0.9 MP | 18.62 |
| HP OmniBook Ultra 14 | 9 MP | 18.89 |
| Acer Aspire 16 A16-51GM-77G2 | 2 MP | 19.5 |
| Gigabyte G5 KF5 | 0.9 MP | 19.7 |
| Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 | 5 MP | 20.63 |
| Asus ExpertBook P5 P5405 | 2 MP | 20.65 |
| Acer Nitro 14 AN14-41-R3MX | 0.9 MP | 22.45 |
| Ninkear A16 Pro | 0.9 MP | 23.51 |
| Lenovo ThinkPad L16 Gen 1 | 5 MP | 23.99 |
| Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G5 | 2 MP | 25.11 |
| Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 2 AMD | 2.1 MP | 27.18 |
