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Zoom Q4 First Look & Image Sample – The Camera Forum®
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Zoom Q4 First Look & Image Sample

Zoom Q4 First Look & Image Sample

Zoom Q4 from TheCameraForum on Vimeo.

Zoom calls their Q4 a Handy Video Recorder.  Sony refers to their HDR-MV1 as a portable Music Video Recorder.  But what is in a name?  In the end, what sold me was features.  The Zoom Q4 is packed with them, and while maybe not as specifically marketed at musicians as the Sony product, the Zoom Q4 is possibly the closest thing I have experienced to professional quality recording gear at a truly miserly price.  MSRP on the Zoom Q4 is only $299, including the DeadCat.  As the footage shows, while it is not without some expected aliasing problems, the color accuracy is quite good if a touch to the warm side, and the sound is spectacular.  This footage is all untouched, although Vimeo has done its usual and typical job of destroying most of the artistic quality.  The good news is Vimeo does have download available, so please feel free to download and play without the intense Vimeo compression for a more realistic idea of what the Zoom Q4 is capable of.

The Zoom Q4 Comes Complete With DeadCat Wind Cutter.

The Zoom Q4 Comes Complete With DeadCat Wind Cutter.

 

All that was done to prep this file for upload was to download the file from the SD card, add the titles and tail in Final Cut Pro X, set the audio “stage” and ambiance for proper x/y positions, and render the file out H264, 720P, 30 fps, purposed for Vimeo upload.  No other adjustments were made to either the audio track or the video.  No reverb was added.

The acoustic folk guitar is one of the hardest instruments to record cleanly, due to the large quantity of harmonics present, the dynamic range of the instrument, the wide frequency bandwidth and the resonance.  The better the guitar, the greater the quantity of even order harmonics and the greater the recording difficulty. Most guitars used in recording are “aged” for several years, as these instruments have the best overall mellow tone and even tonal response.  The Zoom Q4 stands the test well in its ability to realistically capture the dynamics and harmonic overtones of my guitar.  Further, like its brethren the H4n & H6, the Zoom Q4 sounds stunning.

The Zoom Q4 Battery Door & SD Card Slot Are On The Bottom.

The Zoom Q4 Battery Door & SD Card Slot Are On The Bottom.

 

From just this first look, I am impressed.  The handling of the record functions couldn’t be more strait forward and clear.  One small on/off button on the top, which lights up the green “ready” indicator.  Depress, and it turns red as the record function starts.  The removable, rotatable, LED monitor is very interesting.  Not a touch screen, but it does have four buttons strategically placed and clearly marked with the reassignable functions.  The Zoom Q4 can also be used as a WebCam with the download and installation of a driver from the Zoom Q4 support site.  Oh, and did I say that the audio recorded to the Zoom Q4 is stunning?  All and all, I am very pleased and look forward to getting this hot little Zoom Q4 number pressed into client service as soon as possible!  Stay tuned for more….

 

Zoom Q4 Specifications

Recording Media SD/SDHC/SDXC card (up to 128GB)
Imaging Device 1/3-inch 3-megapixels CMOS sensor
Optics Lens Fixed Focus (55cm to infinity), F2.8,
Focal distance about 22 mm (35 mm equivalent)
Video Format MPEG-4 AVC / H.264(MOV)
Video Resolution HD1080p 30fps, HD720p 60fps, HD720p 30fps, WVGA 60fps, WVGA 30fps
Audio Format WAV (Quantization: 16/24bit, Sampling Frequency: 44.1/48/96kHz)
AAC (Bit Rate: 64 to 320kbps, Sampling Frequency: 48kHz)
Audio Functions Lo-cut filter, Auto Gain (Concert / Solo / Meeting)
Image Functions Angle of view adjustment, Scene selection (Auto / Concert Lighting / Night)
Display 2.0″ full-color LCD (detachable)
Built-in mic X/Y stereo format (120°)
Maximum sound pressure input: 130dB SPL
Input gain: +7dB to +47dB
Input connector Combined line/mic stereo mini jack (can supply plug-in power)
Input gain: +0dB to +26dB
Output connector Combined line/headphones stereo mini jack
Type D microHDMI
Built-in speaker 400mW 8Ω, monaural speaker
USB Mini B type (USB2.0 High Speed), USB-VIDEO, USB-AUDIO functions
Power Lithium-ion battery: DC 4.2V maximum voltage, DC 3.7V nominal voltage, 1050mAh capacity
AC adapter (ZOOM AD-17, sold separately): DC 5V/1A
USB bus power
Battery recharging times USB: About 3 hours
AC adapter: About 2 hours 15 minutes
Battery Life 3 hours (when recording 720p/30fps video with LCD unit detached)
Dimensions Recorder: 106.4 (W) x 57.8 (H) x 30.4 (D) mm (with X/Y mic stored)
LCD unit: 40.1(W) x 48.4(H) x 73.6(D) mm
Weight Recorder: 167g (without battery)
LCD unit: 51g
Included accessories Removable LCD unit, USB cable, Rechargable lithium ion (Li-Ion) battery (BT-02), Hairy windscreen, Hairy windscreen attachment screw, User guide

 

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Chuck Jones

Digital Media Producer, Photographer, Video Storyteller, Cinemagraph Master. Only Semi-Reformed Hippy. Managing Editor of http://TheCameraForum.Com

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