Microsoft’s two new HD LifeCams shoot 720p video on the cheap. What sets them apart is their TrueColor technology, supposedly delivering more vivid colors in any situation. How do they fare? You be the judge.

Webcams come a dime a dozen, and even cheap, HD devices aren’t really enough to pique our interest. Most laptops these days have built-in cameras anyway, and for most purposes, they do the trick just fine. But there might come a time when you want to look good on your webcam.

Microsoft’s LifeCam HD-6000 and LifeCam HD-5000 (and 5001, with a white faceplate) shoot 720p video at 30fps with auto-focus. But it’s the TrueColor technology that keeps you looking like you and not Swamp Thing.

Microsoft claims the “groundbreaking” image processing tech will give you better color whether you’re in a dim room or outside in the midday sun, but it’s hard to say from that shot if the colour’s actually better or if they’re just pumping the contrast.