Zoom Q2n 4K Handy Video Recorder

pretty mean so far. micro HDMI output is probably the worst plug ever created. sitting right next to the second worst connector: usb-micro.you know how usb always has to be plugged in the wrong-way-round once before it will seat correctly? well imagine that but it somehow ends up 4 times worse. because there is a really similar looking monodirectional plug. also they are so close together that i needed to buy twice to find cables that fit.you DO need the usb because the battery life is awful, so im running off a power-bank over USB and that keeps it cranking for hours on end all good. but dont leave the AA's in there as they will make it shutdown... in the middle of a really important recording :(audio has a manual input trim and can handle insANEly loud bands no ... Morepretty mean so far. micro HDMI output is probably the worst plug ever created. sitting right next to the second worst connector: usb-micro.you know how usb always has to be plugged in the wrong-way-round once before it will seat correctly? well imagine that but it somehow ends up 4 times worse. because there is a really similar looking monodirectional plug. also they are so close together that i needed to buy twice to find cables that fit.you DO need the usb because the battery life is awful, so im running off a power-bank over USB and that keeps it cranking for hours on end all good. but dont leave the AA's in there as they will make it shutdown... in the middle of a really important recording :(audio has a manual input trim and can handle insANEly loud bands no problem. can be used as webcam (upgrade the firmware to 2.1 to get hi res webcam!) . would give 5 stars if it used better sockets in better places, but better than a gopro any day.

Can't have enough Q2n-4k

I've been meaning to review this product for quite some time now, as it is just fantastic. Our music venue livestreams concerts, many times each week. We currently use (4) Q2N-4k's, a Sony FDR-AX43 and a 30x optical PTZ. These feed into an AVMATRIX PVS0613 then out to a CAM Link and into our computer. We take sound direct from our Behringer X32 into a PreSonus Studio 24c then into our computer.After 2 years of use I can say with confidence the Q2n-4k cannot be beat, especially at its current price point. One time we needed an extra cam asap for an event and could only get a unit typically used for sports. That particular device may be the world's leader for sports action video cameras but livestreaming concerts and recording simultaneously could not be done ... MoreI've been meaning to review this product for quite some time now, as it is just fantastic. Our music venue livestreams concerts, many times each week. We currently use (4) Q2N-4k's, a Sony FDR-AX43 and a 30x optical PTZ. These feed into an AVMATRIX PVS0613 then out to a CAM Link and into our computer. We take sound direct from our Behringer X32 into a PreSonus Studio 24c then into our computer.After 2 years of use I can say with confidence the Q2n-4k cannot be beat, especially at its current price point. One time we needed an extra cam asap for an event and could only get a unit typically used for sports. That particular device may be the world's leader for sports action video cameras but livestreaming concerts and recording simultaneously could not be done without lag, that and its sound quality was subpar.The Q2n-4k is simple to use, excellent in high contrast situations, is very good recording audio, and can be configured a million ways. They are compact so when mounted on stage in the view of the concert goers, they essentially look just like a mic and no one cares. They are able to record internally and livestream without delay.The "Bad." Battery life is super short, like 20 min, but we don't use battery anymore so it's a non-issue. Our cams are static and use the USB charger full time. When we did use battery, we just hooked them up to a portable USB battery bank that would let them run for 3+ hours. The Q2N-4k are meant for close-ups. Don't position this more then 10' away from your subject, the picture will just be too small, if you try to compensate by using the digital zoom past "0" it gets grainy.Not a bad thing but to connect to a computer to stream you need to use a USB interface like a "CamLink". Also, we have 6 of these units and 4 are used every week for hours on end. The get plugged and unplugged each week to download the recordings. A 128gig stick gives you just shy of 11 hours recording at 1080p 30fps. To record in 4k you will need an extreme speed card.

Excellent Audio - Disappointing Video

I purchased this camera for webcam use thinking it would be far better quality than my Logitech C920/Brio. The audio quality was excellent as only to be expected from any Zoom product but the video quality was very disappointing to say the least. I found the Q8 to be fairly useless in low light, meaning just in a regular room under normal conditions where the Logitech c920 works fine and deals with low light extremely well. My initial goal was to try and get better audio onto my youtube videos rather than having to use the C920 mic with is dark sounding and boxy. I was hoping the Q8 would solve this problem and help me avoid having to record audio on one device and video on another which means I have to worry about trying to sync everything up later in post. So my ... MoreI purchased this camera for webcam use thinking it would be far better quality than my Logitech C920/Brio. The audio quality was excellent as only to be expected from any Zoom product but the video quality was very disappointing to say the least. I found the Q8 to be fairly useless in low light, meaning just in a regular room under normal conditions where the Logitech c920 works fine and deals with low light extremely well. My initial goal was to try and get better audio onto my youtube videos rather than having to use the C920 mic with is dark sounding and boxy. I was hoping the Q8 would solve this problem and help me avoid having to record audio on one device and video on another which means I have to worry about trying to sync everything up later in post. So my thoughts are as follows - The Q8 camera is basically a great audio mic for webcam use but forget the video aspect. The video quality indoor is of no use unless your in a well lit room with indoor lights. Outside in daylight it's fine but they do advertise this product for capturing music videos which I wanted it for and also for webcam use. I RETURNED it went back to using my Logitech c920 for video and a separate audio mic.

Excellent WebCam mic - Disappointing Video

I purchased this Zoom Q2N hoping it would give me far better Video than my Logitech C920 and Logitech Brio Webcams with the Bonus of having a far better Zoom mic making it super easy set up with just one cable.After trying various resolutions and senarios I dicided to return this item.Bacially, The video quality in indoor low light is usless to say the least, very grainy and looks more like 640 resolution on a cheap webcam. That said outdoor video in daylight is ok but still not as sharp as the GoPro.What this device basically boils down to is this- it's a super $200 Webcam mic, far better audio than you'll find on any webcam. So in that sense it's handy plus you can add an external mic into it I believe. But for me, after many tests the Logitech Brio and C920 ... MoreI purchased this Zoom Q2N hoping it would give me far better Video than my Logitech C920 and Logitech Brio Webcams with the Bonus of having a far better Zoom mic making it super easy set up with just one cable.After trying various resolutions and senarios I dicided to return this item.Bacially, The video quality in indoor low light is usless to say the least, very grainy and looks more like 640 resolution on a cheap webcam. That said outdoor video in daylight is ok but still not as sharp as the GoPro.What this device basically boils down to is this- it's a super $200 Webcam mic, far better audio than you'll find on any webcam. So in that sense it's handy plus you can add an external mic into it I believe. But for me, after many tests the Logitech Brio and C920 far better indoor in low like I mean far better.If you are a musician it's very convenient but still the Video quality is poor so not for me.. I was hoping it would be a

Excellent camera but still evaluating

I bought a Zoom Q2N-4K to see if it could replace the existing GoPro Hero 5 cameras I use for stationary recording of live and studio music (versus mobile action recording in extreme environmental conditions).For my use the Zoom Q2n has more desirable features than GoPros:-External Audio input Jack;-Records to a continuous file (versus a sequential series of 2GB files)-Better mics with up to 120 dB auto-adjustment;-Physical settings buttons on the camera body for frequently made changes;-Ability to use standard AA batteries or external standard 5V battery packs.In my preliminary out of the box view of the Zoom I noticed three things that should be improved in the next Zoom version (two minor and one potentially major).Display - It is small and very low ... MoreI bought a Zoom Q2N-4K to see if it could replace the existing GoPro Hero 5 cameras I use for stationary recording of live and studio music (versus mobile action recording in extreme environmental conditions).For my use the Zoom Q2n has more desirable features than GoPros:-External Audio input Jack;-Records to a continuous file (versus a sequential series of 2GB files)-Better mics with up to 120 dB auto-adjustment;-Physical settings buttons on the camera body for frequently made changes;-Ability to use standard AA batteries or external standard 5V battery packs.In my preliminary out of the box view of the Zoom I noticed three things that should be improved in the next Zoom version (two minor and one potentially major).Display - It is small and very low fidelity but that is a minor issue for me since it is only needed for initial camera placement before recording and to access lower level menu settings. The small lowfi display is more than offset by the ability to use more frequently used setting buttons on the camera body instead of via the menu.Battery Compartment Latch - It seems too delicate and feels like it could easily break off with repeated use but that too is a minor issue as I would be using 5V battery pack or a 110/5 volt wall adapter.CMOS Sensor - Though the CMOS sensor is the same size as the GPH5 and is rated at 16 MP versus 12 for the GoPro, the 4K video captured looks grainier, I suspect will likely become even more degraded in live action stage lighting conditions. Granted I have not fully tested this yet so I hope I am wrong. However, even if the video is not on par with my GoPros, the Qn2-4K camera will be a good addition to my stable of GoPros. The Qn2 will work great for less critical close up fill shots of musicians, instruments or the audience and ambient or line audio capture.I will soon see with field work if this first Generation Qn2-4K is on par with the GoPro Hero 5s video capture. Worse case is I keep using my three GPH5s until the next Gen Q2n is released so I can reevaluate whether to replace my GoPros.

Great little camera for the price

Quality video and very good audio. Compact with plenty of features. Only negative is battery life, but I use a 5 volt phone charger to avoid that, problem solved. Screen is small, but can only be so big because of the size of unit. Several lighting settings to choose from as well as low frequency cut for audio. Takes a bit of time to figure out best settings for you but once you do you cant beat it for the price.

It's not as good as advertised. But it gets the job done.

I was hoping to use this to post performance videos on YouTube, but the video quality is so grainy it's almost embarrassing. It pales compared to most videos you could capture with your phone. The audio quality however is much better than you would normally get from a phone. I guess for the price point I can't complain too much, but it did not meet my expectations after seeing all the product descriptions for this. It does work well for helping me to critique my own performances though, so there does seem to be an educational benefit.

Review of Zoom Q2n-4K Handy Video Recorder

Thought I'd try this little recording device for some work project and thought it would be interesting to record some Jaming too!It has an easy interface and the sound levels can be monitored so you don't get clipping in loud conditions. The camera has plenty of features which make it a nifty little camera with some field audio recording features. Have bought Zoom stuff in the past and have always been happy with it. Obviously it isn't going to be like recording through a console, but as a field recorder with a camera it is definitely a level or two up from a mobile phone! One thing I note is it really does need to be mounted on a Tripod or left in a stable place to avoid sound being picked up from holding it. Though I might try the accessory kit when that comes ... MoreThought I'd try this little recording device for some work project and thought it would be interesting to record some Jaming too!It has an easy interface and the sound levels can be monitored so you don't get clipping in loud conditions. The camera has plenty of features which make it a nifty little camera with some field audio recording features. Have bought Zoom stuff in the past and have always been happy with it. Obviously it isn't going to be like recording through a console, but as a field recorder with a camera it is definitely a level or two up from a mobile phone! One thing I note is it really does need to be mounted on a Tripod or left in a stable place to avoid sound being picked up from holding it. Though I might try the accessory kit when that comes available.

Short running time, HOT

Wow, this wasn't what we expected. This device might be good for a starting or garage band that wants to capture their performances.It's a mixed bag:+ Good quality near 4K image- A bit more wide angle than anticipated. The zoom is digital; using it degrades image quality.+ Has a HDMI output.- Light hungry, not great in low light situations+ Audio quality is excellent, as one would expect from a Zoom recorder.+ Uses replaceable batteries, instead of internal batteries.- Very short battery life, even with add-on battery pack. We get about 40 minutes, not quite long enough for a 50 minute band set.+ Can be powered via AC wall wart; we use a USB 10,000 battery pack.- This unit really heats up during use. Don't plan on using this for a lengthy ... MoreWow, this wasn't what we expected. This device might be good for a starting or garage band that wants to capture their performances.It's a mixed bag:+ Good quality near 4K image- A bit more wide angle than anticipated. The zoom is digital; using it degrades image quality.+ Has a HDMI output.- Light hungry, not great in low light situations+ Audio quality is excellent, as one would expect from a Zoom recorder.+ Uses replaceable batteries, instead of internal batteries.- Very short battery life, even with add-on battery pack. We get about 40 minutes, not quite long enough for a 50 minute band set.+ Can be powered via AC wall wart; we use a USB 10,000 battery pack.- This unit really heats up during use. Don't plan on using this for a lengthy concert, show or event; it will likely overheat and cook itself to death.Had we known these facts, we would not have purchased it.

excellent POV tool

works great when used with wisdom for point-of-view shots. complaints people have usually don't take into account the $200 buck cost. video is just a reflection of light, so don't expect miracles with this fun cam if you are in the dark or have gobs of backlighting. this cam: practically invisible on stage, for a drummer shot thru cymbals on short tripod or mic stand. over drummer head for entire reverse shot of band and crowd. for high school grad videos, for wedding wide shot from balcony, reverse shots of entire sanctuary bridal party and crowd. in hallway for last looks at bride as dressed fluffed and kiss from dad before aisle walk. hidden by candle for lighting view of bride/groom faces. mount it on a 20 foot light stand with an adapter for great house left ... Moreworks great when used with wisdom for point-of-view shots. complaints people have usually don't take into account the $200 buck cost. video is just a reflection of light, so don't expect miracles with this fun cam if you are in the dark or have gobs of backlighting. this cam: practically invisible on stage, for a drummer shot thru cymbals on short tripod or mic stand. over drummer head for entire reverse shot of band and crowd. for high school grad videos, for wedding wide shot from balcony, reverse shots of entire sanctuary bridal party and crowd. in hallway for last looks at bride as dressed fluffed and kiss from dad before aisle walk. hidden by candle for lighting view of bride/groom faces. mount it on a 20 foot light stand with an adapter for great house left and house right band stage coverage. tips from guy who owns 9 of them: use eveready AA lithium batteries for up to about 6 hours of run time. cell aux packs and the jack have turned out to be unreliable for zero-fail shoots. use these as aux cams, use REAL cams with adjustable controls as your primary. these are ICING on the cake. also: use the FLAT setting. in editing, you will find the blowout exposure is gone, easily adjust color and blackpoint etc. do not use the other settings, but remember the pic on the cam will look awful when shooting. just know it will be fine in editing. also, do not use your old micro SD cards, seriously people. it may start recording, but will choke and auto off during your show. walmart has the black and gold trimmed sandisk of 128 gig or 256 gig cards for 20-28 bucks, has 170 meg speed on front of package. these speedy cards and lithium AA and using FLAT setting... solves most issues. don't expect a $200 toy to do what you need a 3000 to 15k camera and lens to do. as AUX POV cams, they are great, with wonderful point-source coherent audio!