Zoom has been making transportable sound recorders – often called “useful” recorders – for many years. Beloved by videographers and filmmakers, the corporate has additionally been a serious innovator within the music house, launching multi-effect processors for guitar straps, iPhone microphones, and extra lately in a world the place everybody appears to have a podcast, podcast recorders.
One in all Zoom’s newest novel releases is the Zoom Q2n-4K, a palm-sized video recorder aimed squarely at musicians and customers eager to share their music on-line. It is an adorably small system, with a wide-angle lens on one aspect, an LCD display on the again, and a wraparound microphone design incorporating an X/Y stereo array. It will probably perform as a standalone webcam and audio recorder, making it an extremely versatile product for music academics and YouTubers equally.
In fact, you would possibly ask your self – and I’ve performed – why not simply get one among Zoom’s greatest audio recorders and pair it along with your smartphone, or one the greatest cameras for vlogging with an honest microphone? There are two causes. Firstly, Zoom is thought for its audio high quality, and its handheld units can seize a variety of sounds and environments brilliantly with minimal coaching or setup required.
Including a digicam to the combo with the Q2n-4K, Zoom has created a handy all-in-one with out trailing wires or shifting components. Secondly, at round $200, the Zoom Q2n-4K is inexpensive for music college students, musicians breaking into the business, or these increase a following on-line.
The Zoom Q2n-4K is cheaper than the Zoom Q8n-4K I’ve beforehand examined, however that gives 4-track audio, XLR-mic inputs, plus a chargeable battery to deliver it in step with vlogging rivals.
The Q2n-4K is inexpensive, for certain, however does it supply the standard that its goal market wants? I’ve all the time been happy with the construct and audio high quality of Zoom merchandise however discovered their usability extra assorted. I attempted the Q2n-4K for a number of weeks to find whether or not it was a livestreaming dream or a musician’s nightmare. Learn on to search out out whether or not it is the fitting useful recorder for you.
Zoom Q2n-4K: Specification
| Sensor | 16MP, 1/2.3-inch |
| Lens | 150° wide-angle (f2.8/15.2 mm) |
| Video format | MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (MOV) |
| Video resolutions | 4K: 30/25/24p, 1080: 60/50/30/25/24p, 720: 30/25p |
| Audio codecs (WAV) | 96 kHz/24-bit, 48 kHz/24-bit, 44.1 kHz/16-bit |
| Audio inputs | Stereo enter |
| Reminiscence card | microSDHC/microSDXC (class 10 or greater, 256 GB ma) |
Zoom Q2n-4K: Worth
Contemplating its compact measurement and have set, the Q2n-4K delivers glorious worth at round $200/£200. It is a extra budget-friendly possibility in comparison with the Q8n-4K, which is smart because it sacrifices some audio capabilities, recording in stereo solely, and missing XLR microphone ports for skilled setups.
What lets down this useful recorder is its reliance on two AA batteries for energy. These weren’t included with my pattern, so except you have got rechargeable AA batteries, you may need to consider the price of shopping for and changing them. I discovered frequent replacements had been vital, so this shall be an ongoing expense except you intend to energy the digicam out of your pc (with a cable additionally offered individually).
Zoom Q2n-4K: Design & Dealing with
The Zoom Q2n-4K appears nothing just like the Zoom Q8n-4K, and that is an excellent factor because it’s designed to be extra transportable. In truth, it would not appear to be any digicam I’ve tried earlier than, however that does not imply it is arduous to make use of. On the entrance is the 15-degree wide-angle lens and a useful mild to point if you’re recording (it turns pink when you find yourself). You additionally get a lens cap for cover and a tiny lens hood to dam out flare in sunshine or shiny studio lights.
On one aspect, there is a headphone jack – all the time vital for checking audio ranges – an exterior enter, and quantity buttons for the headphones. Flip the digicam round and there is a small dial for controlling the microphone stage, plus micro USB and mini HDMI ports. I am shocked that in 2024 we have not acquired a USB-C port as a substitute, each for charging the digicam and connecting it to a pc. My iMac solely has USB-C ports, so I needed to get an adapter simply to attach it.
What I appreciated most concerning the Zoom Q2n-4K was its ease of use. In the back of the digicam, there is a 1.77-inch four-color LCD (160 × 128 decision) for viewing the scene and menu settings, whereas 9 buttons support dealing with, because the display is not touch-sensitive. It solely takes just a few hours of use to recollect what these buttons do, though I might love them to be barely extra responsive when pressed.
Beneath the display is an influence/play button, an apparent pink document button, and a button for exit/settings. You additionally get bodily buttons for tweaking the sector of view between 5 settings, the video high quality (or setting audio solely), the scene kind (there are twelve, together with outside, sundown, monochrome, and movie), Lo Lower, the audio high quality, and auto acquire. A digicam like that is designed for use shortly, and I like that nearly every thing you want may be accessed with out having to dig into the menu, which themselves are nonetheless clear and accessible.
Provided that the LCD display would not articulate in the identical method because the Q8n-4K for forward-facing pictures, it is arduous to know if you’re within the body if you’re filming your self. There have been many takes the place I used to be filming myself for just a few seconds with the digicam on a tripod, reviewing it again, after which shifting round to enhance my positioning.
One benefit is that the sunshine on the entrance of the digicam goes pink to inform you you are recording. There isn’t any distant or timer delay perform constructed into the system to start out recording, so it’s important to begin the digicam and get into place, which provides modifying time to your footage and will make your stay streams a bit janky.
You entry the battery and reminiscence card slot by unclipping the plastic cowl beneath the Zoom Q2n-4K. It is a MicroSD card, a measurement which I assume was chosen to maintain the dimensions down, and whereas the 2 AA batteries had been simple to fit in, the cardboard slot was a slight paint level for me. There isn’t any spring mechanism, making it tough to take away. Once I wished to take the cardboard out to switch the footage to my Mac, I needed to prise it with my nails or tweezers. That is fiddly and makes you are worried you may trigger injury.
Zoom Q2n-4K: Efficiency
General, I am impressed with the efficiency of the Zoom Q2n-4K, for its value bracket, and I feel musicians will discover rather a lot to like concerning the audio high quality. Because of the digicam’s three WAV audio codecs (96 kHz/24-bit, 48 kHz/24-bit, 44.1 kHz/16-bit) you may tailor the standard and measurement of recordsdata to your mission’s wants. And utilizing “Digital camera Off” mode opens up the Q2n-4K to develop into a useful recorder in its personal proper, or to exchange your pc mic when you so want.
I discovered it simple to observe the audio output ranges utilizing headphones with the stereo output jack or to look on the ranges on the LCD display and see once they had been peaking too excessive. I primarily recorded in 98kHz/24-bit throughout testing and cherished the well-balanced, wealthy tone, whether or not at house, in a subject at a competition, or in an echoey convention room. I observed that setting the microphone to auto-gain (you’ve got acquired the possibility of live performance, solo, or assembly right here) left a few of my recordings on the quiet aspect, however then the Zoom Q2n-4K handles loud music so properly I do not thoughts this.
The X/Y mics inside the recorder sound nice. I did a check recording at a loud people music night time, and never solely was my voice clear, however the three completely different devices could possibly be heard clearly and evenly. The Q2n-4K handles bass notes properly, giving them a rounded sound even at low or excessive volumes. The recorder additionally performs properly as a USB mic, significantly better than my iMac’s in-built microphone and rivaling the pro-grade Sennheiser mic I normally have plugged in.
If I had been to sum up this evaluate in a sentence it might be; audio nice, video not so nice. Even on the most 4K decision, the Zoom Q2n-4K’s video is serviceable, however nowhere close to nearly as good as my iPhone and even my GoPro from just a few years again. In something however shiny sunshine, the small digicam sensor produced footage with muddy shadows and a loud image general. By their nature, music settings are sometimes low-light environments, so it is a disgrace that the Zoom Q2n-4K struggled a lot with element and shade right here. I might suggest that musicians maintain the room as well-lit as doable when recording.
Having 5 steps for altering the sector of view, relatively than a rolling skill to zoom out and in of your chosen topic, means you’re restricted considerably by the framing choices. In the event you press the sector of view button to toggle by way of zoom ranges throughout filming it is also very audible, and arduous to take away in publish. The video high quality degrades the additional you zoom in, because the digicam crops in on the picture relatively than counting on a bodily lens zoom.
The Q2n-4K was designed to absorb performances on a tripod or steady platform and it excels at that. It would not characteristic built-in stabilization, which is one thing to keep in mind if you would like any freedom of motion whereas filming, or to get handheld footage at a stay present. The footage turns into extremely shaky if you attempt capturing vlog-style movies and when you’re that kind of music YouTuber you could need to look elsewhere.
Provided that the Zoom Q2n-4K comes at such an inexpensive value level, I can stay with out Bluetooth or WiFi, or a distant management to start out recording. However its greatest draw back is the battery life and energy supply. One set of AA batteries lasted me lower than an hour of recording time, and I felt I used to be continuously changing them throughout filming. For one stay music occasion, I might checked the battery earlier than leaving house and it confirmed two-thirds full. Sadly, after I began recording, the digicam solely lasted a couple of minutes earlier than dying utterly, that means I missed capturing footage of my favourite teenage artists. There are two classes right here: all the time pack spares and make sure the digicam cannot activate in your bag.
In fact, at house or in a studio you can energy the digicam through micro-USB when it is used as a webcam (why not USB-C?). And when you purchase the Zoom BCQ2n battery case Q2n-4K, which takes 4 AA batteries, you may considerably increase the digicam’s battery life for subject work and stay gigs with out a energy outlet.
Zoom Q2n-4K: Pattern video
Above: pattern video present with the Zoom Q2n-4K
I had the Zoom Q2n-4K for just a few weeks, testing it for recording periods at house (a keyboard and guitar, and my rusty taking part in abilities), stay gigs, people performances, and a few spoken phrase. Sadly on a number of alternatives to document, the battery was decrease than displayed and the digicam ran out of energy earlier than I may get any first rate clips.
Zoom Q2n-4K: Verdict
The Zoom Q2n-4K is a good alternative if good sound is extra vital than good video, and you’ve got about $200/£200 to spend. I am not knowledgeable musician, however I do play a number of devices, get extremely hung up on audio high quality, and have a ton of expertise utilizing microphones for filmmaking. Whereas the Zoom Q2n-4K feels a bit dated by way of video efficiency and lags behind the greatest digicam telephones, the readability and richness of its sound make up for that.
Though there is no video stabilization, it is easy sufficient to pop the Q2n-4K on an affordable mini tripod to maintain the footage good and steady. The very fact, that you could pop the Q2n-4K in your pocket, then whip it out and get usable clips in seconds is unbelievable. The automated nature of the digicam implies that even these new to recording themselves ought to get first rate outcomes, however there are sufficient audio choices for budding audiophiles too.
The recorder is not advertising itself as a sophisticated broadcast-level system. As a substitute, its measurement and comfort make it good for musicians eager to seize clips and fast movies on the go, once they do not have the price range for professional gear – or the need to hold it round. I discovered it may deal with every thing from jazz to people to heavy steel within the automobile, and nonetheless produce a wealthy, well-balanced tone.
I’ve cherished utilizing the Q2n-4K to get again into keyboard and guitar taking part in, grabbing snippets at gigs, and recording vocals for video tasks. It is simply not going to be my recorder of alternative till Zoom swaps these AA batteries for a chargeable, sustainable possibility.
✅ Purchase this if…
- You are simply beginning to document your music for a brand new channel.
- You need reliably good sound in an all-in-one recorder.
🚫 Do not buy this if…
- You do not need to maintain shopping for new AA batteries.
- You need video high quality adequate for a contemporary social viewers.