I demand good tech in the gadgets I buy. Generally I get it right, and pick up gadgets that excel in one or many areas – occasionally I get it wrong, and I’ve a cupboard in the office that acts as a tech-graveyard for those items that didn’t fulfill their primary purpose, or perform well overall.
The Zoom Q3 I think is going to fall in the former category of great mobile gadgets – it’s basically an awesomely good audio recorder, which happens to double as a pretty decent mini-camcorder too!
One of the big problems with mini audio/video capture devices is usually the audio, so it’s nice to see a device that prioritizes that – and you can think of a ton of use cases where having clear audio matters.
Let’s check out the features:
- Built-in stereo condenser microphones with true X/Y configuration for true stereo imaging
- Get up to 1 hour of video with 2GB SD card
- Accepts up to a 32GB SDHC card for 16 hours of recording time
- Large 2.4” LCD display with a resolution of 320 x 240
- Video resolution of 640 x 480 at 30 frames/sec
- Video Format: MPEG-4 SP
- NTSC / PAL TV output
- Optics Lens Type: Fixed Focus (0.8m to infinity)
- Audio formats with video include 44.1/48kHz 16/24-bit Linear PCM or MP3 up to 320kbps
- Audio only formats include 96kHz 16/24-bit Linear PCM WAV
- Auto Record Level automatically adjusts audio levels during recordings
- Uses two standard AA batteries or NiMH rechargeable batteries
- USB 2.0 with built-in cable
- Windows and Mac OS compatible
- Built-in speaker and tripod mount
- Includes on-board editing software, YouTube uploader software, Apple Quicktime, TV cable, softcase, windscreen, 2GB SD card, two AA Batteries
The Zoom Q3 is being retailed by AMP3 in the UK, and I’d recommend you head on over to check out more about the product – their price is £229.00, which I think is entirely reasonable for a reasonable video recorder and excellent audio recorder rolled in to one!