We have investigated the properties of sputter deposited InN thin films prepared from an In-metal (InN-MT) and an In2O3 target (InN-OT). The excess oxygen present in the InN-OT films alters the microstructure by introducing additional disorder. Depth dependent x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements indicate the presence of higher concentrations of oxygen in InN-OT. Raman spectra show evidence for the presence of an In2O3 secondary phase in both samples. Although the InN-OT film has a higher oxygen concentration, both films show similar electrical and optical properties. © 2008 American Institute of Physics.