Webcams have never really been known for good picture quality, but for the kind of applications that I use them for, I have never really been concerned about it. Digital Cowboy wants to change that now with its 7x optical zoom webcam, the DC-NCP130. The webcam is basically a CMOS based camera with 1.3 MP resolution that can be strapped with a telephoto lens to extend its reach considerably. However, using and removing the lens attachment is manual and cannot be controlled remotely.

I really cannot think of any reason -- that wouldn't be a misdemeanor -- why anyone would require this webcam. Though the optical zoom is considerable (it even beats my regular digicam), the low resolution will still mean poor image quality. Given that the early adopters of this camera will be the peeping tom types, the company could have done better by bumping the resolution to more acceptable levels.

To be introduced in February, the webcam will retail for 9,800 yen (US$81).

Via EverythingUSB.