Zoom makes some fine audio recording equipment—not the best in the industry, but generally a 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 2 x 5-inch package that weighs less than three ounces.
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 $100, 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: HD1080p 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: 51（W）x 126.9（D）x 35（H）mm
• Weight: 85.4g
• Price: $200
• Gizrank: 3 stars
