Zoom makes some fine audio recording equipment — not the best in the industry, but they’re generally fantastic value. Now, with the Q2HD, the company has added video-recording capability to a nice handheld field microphone. Is it going to make you the next Ron Burgundy?
What Is It?
A handheld 24-bit audio recorder paired with 1080p video.
Who’s it For?
Citizen journalists, musicians, bootleggers, filmmakers on a shoestring budget.
Design
A mid-side mic and a forward-facing 5MP camera fit into a 5cm x 13cm package that weighs about 85g.
Using It
As an audio recorder, it’s fantastic. It’s a bit awkward as a video recorder — the camera, placed just above the grip, lets a finger find its way into the shot.
The Best Part
Its versatility. It works as a USB mic, tethers to a laptop for live content streaming, and records full HD video.
Tragic Flaw
It runs on a pair of AA batteries (either disposable or NiMH) but not for particularly long — only about two hours with video, four hours with just audio.
This Is Weird…
Whaddya mean I can’t charge it via USB?
Test Notes
- The manual gain can be adjusted on the fly and the mid-side mic can focus from a 150-degree wide field to a narrow 30-degree pickup.
- Compact and lightweight, yes. Tough and sturdy, not so much. Don’t drop it.
- Mic level meters take up the bottom third of the viewfinder screen and can be intrusively distracting when filming.
- The HDMI output, when combined with the on-board editing features, eliminates the need for a computer for on-the-fly video trimming.
- The UI is simple and intuitive, though finicky if you have thick fingers.
Should You Buy It?
Zoom products can deliver pro-quality audio at hobbyist prices. The gear is solid. That said, the video on this device is comparable to what an iPhone shoots — but with a brief run time and an awkward grip. The better bet for this brand for a novice is to skip the video entirely to use the cheaper, audio-only H1. Some pro videographers are already capturing great audio with a Zoom H4n.
Zoom Q2HD Specs
• Sensor: 1/3.2-inch 5M pixels CMOS
• Resolution: HD 1080p 30fps HD720p 60fps、HD720p 30fps、WVGA 60fps、WVGA 30fps
• Capacity: up to 64GB SD/SDHC/SDXC
• Battery: 2x AA
• Runtime: 2 hours (Movie mode), 4 hours (Audio mode)
• Dimensions: 5.1cm（W）x 12.7cm（D）x 3.5cm（H)
• Weight: 85.4g
• Price: $329 RRP in Australia