Zoom Q2n-4K Handy Video Recorder, 4K/30P Ultra High Definition Video, Compact Size, Stereo Microphones, Wide Angle Lens, for Recording Music, Video, Youtube Videos, Livestreaming

5.0 out of 5 stars

By jlo138 - Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2018

Definitely worth it!

Build Quality: So far the device is made quite well. It has a heavier feel then the original Q2n and the buttons even feel better in comparison. It’s hard to explain but it makes the Q2n feel cheap because this seems more solidly built even though they share a very similar design. Accessories: The Windscreen from the previous model can also be fitted on the 4K as well. Just make sure you install the lens hood (included) before the windscreen this way it helps keep the fur out of the lens itself. Mind you, doing this outside on a windy day will almost guarantee the windscreen getting in the lens fov. It does help, especially if you like to keep a ceiling fan on high in the same room you may be doing a video in while using this camera. The lens hood and lens cap from the older Q2n is not compatible with the 4K model. The Mic stand adapter is though. Audio: I just want to touch on this for a sec as when you set it at the highest quality, windows computers may have an issue with it and not play any sound at all. Not sure if this is a driver/codec issue but Mac users won’t have this problem. iPad and iPhone users won’t have this problem either. Any other audio setting below the highest will work for Windows users just fine. Zoom has the best audio on a small camera I’ve ever heard before. File type: It’s .MOV and they will airdrop for you Apple users and work in iMovie without a problem. The Q2n is the same if you wanted to know. Audio Line out: It doesn’t mention the headphone jack doubling as a line out but I was successful in doing so. It doesn’t say on either model but the Q2n and the Q2n-4K both work, as long as I turned off “plug in power” in the settings and it was just as clear as my Zoom H2n Recorder which I normally use for this. [I’m referring to using the cameras as a Mic for gaming capture where the audio is direct line into my capture device]. You can use the headphone jack normally for headphones just fine and it has a volume adjustment. The Plug In Power is for external Mics that require power to operate them as you can input those into either model Q2n which will bypass the XY mics built in. There’s a separate Mic In 3.5mm jack for that on the cameras just below the headphone jack. SD Card and Recording Times: (with Max Audio) This camera will take up to a 256gb Micro SDXC card and when using an XC, it will record in a seamless recording. Only to stop when the card is full or you stop it yourself. If you use a SDHC (these are up to 32gb capacity), the files will be broken every 4gb. 128gb Card: 4K30/24fps=3hr 31min 1080p60fps=5hr 9min 1080p30/24fps=9hr 51min 720p30fps=20hr 50min Camera Off 96k24bit WAV Audio=61hr 42min (highest quality) I formatted my own card in the device to get those numbers. Video bitrate up to 76Mbps which is likely 4K mode and I can’t test whether it’s a constant or variable. Lens: A fixed focus 150 degree fisheye wide angle lens. f2.8/15.2mm. I did see a comment where they (Zoom) replied saying it’s 16mp, though I don’t see this anywhere on the website. More: Runs off 2AA batteries and it’s recommended you use Lithium as they will last much longer. Record times with various battery types are listed on Zooms website. You can power the device with a usb power supply and avoid AA batteries altogether. Lens is a 150 degree wide lens and the older Q2n is a 160. The Q2n Lens can easily be replaced but I’m not so sure about this one yet. The Q2n-4K isn’t compatible with Gimbals and doesn’t offer any kind of image stabilization. There isn’t any kind of optical zoom as it’s all digital and on 5 presets. No still photos option. Of course you can always take a screen shot but this could easily be added in a FW update. Mind you, they never added this to the previous model. Same small screen. I wish they gave an option to turn off the selected settings displayed on screen to make the image fill the viewing space. The camera view is just so small with the current settings in the way. Thanks for reading! Even if you already have the Q2n then this is definitely worth the upgrade. A camera that does 4K, Digital Recorder and Microphone! Plug in another Mic, listen live with headphones and even HDMI out to a tv/portable monitor while recording... Why not? You can’t go wrong with this at the current $199 price point. A full video review will be on my YT channel at Para-holiX hopefully soon. Questions then just ask. I may have left some out as it can be found on the Zoom website. *Edit A 55min file at 1080p/60fps will be 25gb with the highest audio as well. *Update If your video is blurry, it may be the device you’re playing back on. If it’s not the device then YT/Para-holiX and I have a video showing you how to replace the lens and focus it back if that’s your issue. We’ve done a video on the previous Q2n model as well.

5.0 out of 5 stars

By Junius B Cross Jr. - Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2019

Third Time is the Charm

Your browser does not support HTML5 video. I have an old Zoom 2 audio recorder and have been very happy with it and still use it to this day. I have an earlier version of the Q2N. The prior version was okay but there were issues. The manufacturer apparently listened to the feedback and the Q2N-4K Handy Video Recorder literally addressed and solved every legitimate issue. [Battery Life, recording clip length, using the right size and type Micro SD, and unexpected recording cut offs.] The result is a superior product. I use this one to record very different types of music from church choirs with and without accompaniment, British Brass Bands and live jazz in concert settings. The sound and video reproduction in all of these areas is excellent. The battery life is more than acceptable. I have had it record a rehearsal nearly two hours long on just the internal batteries. The recording time is longer when I can stop the video between sets. The lens angle on this is slightly less than the earlier version, but it still allows the unit to be placed close to the stage, and covers the entire stage with slightly less 'fish eye' distortion. This is an improvement. The sample video was recorded just more than four feet from a 25 ft stage front, sitting on a table and still the top and both ends of the stage are visible. The demo is recorded at 720, considerably less than the highest resolution. You will need head phones to appreciate the sound on the nine second demo clip.

5.0 out of 5 stars

By Blaine Remer - Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2019

Well Worth the purchase.

Great compact recorder for Music. I purchased to record from my Grand Piano which all my other recorders would be overwhelmed and distort. This camera records clear without issues. This is made to record music NOT a rugged recorder like a Gopro to be used in extreme enviroments , but the Go pro cant record music like the Q2n which is where it excels. The camera is built well and is easy to use. Very easy to setup and shoot immediately. Not sure if some of these negative posters here even own one or just bought one with for the wrong intended purpose of this camera. Kinda made me hesitent to purchase, but glad I did. Can upload videos easily to you computer using a basic Android phone charger cable. The built in screen is very low quality and is only used to see what your camera is recording.

1.0 out of 5 stars

By paul; - Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2019

Horrible camera great mic

December 30, 2018 Verified Purchase style: MSM-1 200 BUCKS FOR A SYSTEM THAT YOU CAN NOT USE OUT OF THE BOX. I SPENT ANOTHER 120 BUCKS ON SDXC CARDS AND NOT ONLY DID IT ONLY RECORD GRAINY AND BLURRY, PLAYBACK WAS HORRIBLE, ON MY MAC , ON MY SMART TV 4K HD. IF YOU ARE GOING TO BUY THIS FOR YOUR BAND OR ANY OTHER REASON, DO NOT THINK AT ALL YOU ARE GOING TO GET THE QUALITY OF PLAYBACK OR RECORDING YOU SEE IN THE ZOOM ADS. I DO NOT KNOW HOW THEY GOT THOSE VIDEOS. PLEASE PROVE ME WRONG. THE MIC IS INCREDIBLE, FOUR OUT OF FIVE STARS. THE VIDEO IS TRASH!! LIKE I SAID EVERY THING WAS BLURRY NO CLARITY. I HOPE MINE WAS JUST DAMAGED AND IS NOT WHAT EVERYBODY WILL BE GETTING WHEN THEY ORDER ONE. I SENT EVERYTHING BACK? I WENT ALL OUT WHEN I ORDERD THIS I GOT THE ZOOM MIC STAND MOUNT 30 BUCKS THE ACCESSORY KIT 40 BUCKS GOOD BATTERIES 20 BUCKS A MICRO HDMI CABLE AND ADAPTER 25 BUCKS THEN 2 HIGH QUALITY SD CARDS I29 BUCKS. SO IM AT 245 WITH OUT THE ZOOM Q2N-4K SO ADD ANOTHER 199 PLUS A WARRANTY 12 BUCKS NOW WE ARE OVER 445 BUCKS!! I WAS SO LET DOWN BY THIS PRODUCT. I WAS GOING TO PURCHASE 2. ONE FOR ME AND ONE FOR MY SON WHO IS ON THE ROAD PLAYING MUSIC FOR A LIVING. THANK GOD I DIDNT.