Logitech C920 vs C920x vs C920S vs C920e
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Logitech decided to confuse potential customers by releasing 4 variations of the same device: The C920, C920x, C920S, and C920e.
These all record at a max resolution of 1080p, 30 FPS in MJPEG and they all have autofocus and manual focus. They all have built-in mics. The same 1/4th inch tripod thread is on the bottom of each and they all have a 60 inch non-detachable USB 2.0 Type A cable. Here are the differences:
The Differences in Short
The Logitech C920 is the base model. The C920x is the same physical model as the C920, but it comes with a 3 month XSplit license in the box. The C920S comes with a detachable privacy cover. The C920e has a privacy cover and the microphone is disabled by default.
Basically, all the C920 variants are physically identical, but there are slight accessory and software differences.
Logitech C920
The C920 is the original base model. Inside the box you get just the webcam and the warranty information. The model number of mine was VU0060. Some of the older C920 webcams like the ones I bought in 2018 have the model number VU0028 and say Logitech on the front instead of the new Logi logo.
An older Logitech C920.
Logitech C920x
The C920x is really just the C920. Mine had the same model number as the C920 - VU0060. Same build, same everything. Windows also recognizes this as a C920. The only difference is in addition to the webcam and warranty information found inside the box, you also get a 3 month XSplit licence.
Back in 2018 they were giving out a 3 month license to XSplit Premium. Now it's a 3 month licence to XSplit VCam. All I know about VCam is that I tried it before for its background removal and it's terrible.
C920S
The C920S is again the same as the C920 and Windows will recognize it as such. This one's model was VU0028, the same as my old C920. No XSplit license, but this one comes with a detachable privacy cover that you clip on.
C920e
The C920e is once again physically the same as the original C920. In the box it comes with a privacy cover just like the C920S.
This device is actually different on a software level. It is recognized as the Logi Webcam C920e. While all 4 920 variants have built in mics, the C920e's is disabled by default and you have to download software called Logi Tune to enable the mic.
Logi Tune.
Image Quality
Left to right: C920 (newer), C920x, C920S, C920e, C920 (older)
Image quality is where things got interesting. I was expecting all of these to look exactly the same. But what happened was the C920 and C920X actually had more accurate colors and the C920S and C920e both were too red. I did lots of testing with automatic and manual settings, and there was always a difference.
I also tested with one of my old Logitech C920 devices, and it looked like the C920S and C920e where things were overall too red and the white balance was just off.
My conclusion is if you get the C920 with model number VU0060 like my C920 and C920x - that one has better colors. If you get VU0028 like my old C920 and my C920S and C920e, that one makes everything a bit too red and you can't really undo that without just making the whole image green or blue with white balance adjustments.
If you're in a physical store, you can see which model number you're going to get, but I don't think you can really control this when you're buying it online.
Verdict
My verdict is to get whichever one is the cheapest. I don't think the color accuracy differences are worth nitpicking over model numbers at this price range. If you want to ensure better colors, I would look into the Logitech Brio or the Razer Kiyo Pro.
I think the privacy cover is cool on the S and the E. And having the mic disabled on the E by default is also cool I guess. But like I said, I'd get whichever one is cheaper.
Product Listings
Logitech C920: https://amzn.to/3cTUoCX
Logitech C920x: https://amzn.to/2YAw6KY
Logitech C920S: https://www.logitech.com/en-us/products/webcams/c920s-pro-hd-webcam.960-001257.html
Logitech C920e: https://amzn.to/308aPbX
