Is this Zoom too much money if all I want to record is real-life conversations (me and others)? How would this be better than, say, a Sony ICD-PX312 (currently No.1 digital voice recorder on Amazon) or Olympus VN-702PC (No. 2, 3 or 4) Is this Zoom too much money if all I want to record is real-life conversations (me and others)? How would this be better than, say, a Sony ICD-PX312 (currently No.1 digital voice... » Read More Is this Zoom too much money if all I want to record is real-life conversations (me and others)? How would this be better than, say, a Sony ICD-PX312 (currently No.1 digital voice recorder on Amazon) or Olympus VN-702PC (No. 2, 3 or 4) « Show Less
1870924
Need a little more info.. for example, the way the mics are set up, it's great for conversations. For talks, if the mic is far away it won't do you much good, but the plug-ins it has will be compatible with most if not all sound boards out there. So, I'd say it's worth it only if 1) you will be close, and/or 2) you need the XLR or phono inputs.
1870925
This is a great recorder, and it record in high quality... I think if you just want to record conversations, you could probably find a simpler recorder. I use that all the time as musician, because I can have a real notion of how I played listen to the recording that this thing make. Yes, if you just want record conversations, it is better to find a simpler recorder... :)
1870926
Unless you're going to be using the audio in a broadcast or film or something, I think this is overkill. Also, what Alan Ganger said, but even so -- there's no equipment so amazing that you don't need some kind of mic or amp or something if you're far from the speaker. The bottom line is that if you're recording only for your own uses (like, to record lectures or conversations for your own review later), you can get the same functionality (but at a bit lower sound quality) for less money.
1870927
Hello, I use it for my radio program, and I do believe it would be rather costly for just conversaitons. This is a great recorder very clear.
1870928
It really depends on a few things. A. What kind of quality do you want or need?B. What type of dialog? Ex: Audio book, film, vocal, podcast.If its just for verbal notes lecture recordings, there are cheaper priced recordings. Overall, I'm an independent film maker so I use it for field audio and also voice overs. Hope this helped.
1870929
It depends on the quality you want. The Samson Go Mic would be excellent for recording conversations (if you want to record to computer). There are portable voice recorders that are cheaper than the Zoom that should work just fine. It really depends on the quality you want.
1870930
Not at all, in my opinion. That's precisely what I use it for at our church. I don't use the on board microphone, as I just plug in the lapel mic direct. It is a great unit for any occasion.
1870931
I believe it is too complicated to operate for this purpose. It is a great device, but it's high capabilities make it less friendly for the casual user.
1407894
I looked up this the Olympus VN-5000 0n Olympus.com and found the cable KA-333 Compaticord - the description states that you can transfer recording to other recording devices or to a PC. It lists the price at $16.99. I will buy it and check it out!
681707
I don't think I considered the Olympus at all, but the Sony one had 334 reviews and still had good ratings compared to 80 reviews for the Olympus. So far, the Sony PX312 has been great. I use it to record lectures and it is able to pick up student responses even though I place it in the front of the classroom.
1960229
This isn't the best of quality mic. Phantom power may have something to do with it. Are you using it for video in camera recording? If so don't record in camera alway use external recorders. I have this mic, I don't totally hate it but I know a better quality mic would get me better sound but for the price I paid for this I'm not mad...
1844368
You answered your own question in that the sound quality if a Sony, to me at least, is always superior. Olympus is better suited for those who record a lot. And the sound is very good on the Olympus. Generally Olympus is also cheaper. Whichever better suits your needs I would purchase.
1693905
No, The product like this gets improved every second. With $450 on your hand, you might find the better one. I am the one who wrote the review saying that this camcorder is the best (as of Oct, 2007). :) Now the AVCHD format gets the higher transfer rate (24Mbps) than before (15Mbps or so) and it really affects to the picture quality.
53592
The EVP Recorder is up to you. I would and do. The Mel-Meter does not record voices. Thanks. Darin. Ghost Hunting Source.
1402671
Thanks for the information from all. I didn't get a Sony 828 when they were available and I was hoping this would be an SLR equivalent. I would like the ability to do short videos for training purposes where I can manually zoom while recording. I paste the videos into Powerpoint to use for self paced and interactive technical training. I also use a lot of stills for training as well as work instructions. I currently use a Sony camera for these features, but it has some limitations due to the lens. I thought this might be the perfect camera, but I guess I'll have to wait.
1289195
Very good question, Laurie. What I do, is read the reviews on amazon. People will usually have widely differing answers. If there are a LOT of negatives, I run for the hills and do not buy. If there are a LOT of very well written positives, I pay attention to each point by point comment to judge if I would be o.k., or not, with using that product. On this Sony, I can make it work. But the manual is horribly written, and at times, confusing. I tend to like this machine, but if I was to buy anopther like it, I think I might opt for a different well known brand, such as teac/tascam. Perhaps the best thing you could do, is ask your friends or neighbors what kind of CD recorder they use, and ask them "How easy is this to use, and does it give high quality recordings?" Then, they can actually show you how it works, and be there for you, if you buiy one, but have a problem. Best wishes!
1120161
I use it with my Olympus Digital Voice Recorder...record the conversation [two way] once done I plug the Voice Recorder into the laptop and upload conversations to Drop Box...free online storage. Then I give access to those I want to share with. Especially nice recording stories of my fathers youth while he lives in FL and I am in TX...then share his voice recording with other family members.
1271672
Hi SamuelWhy would you NOT pick the Zoom Q3?Because the Q3 doesn't have a proper manual level setting. It offers you Low, High and Auto. "Low" is 24 dB lower than "High", that's a big jump. "Auto" lowers the recording level when it needs to, but never raises it. Unfortunately, it doesn't put markers in the file to tell you when it lowered or how much it lowered, which makes it a bitch to correct the audio file for level changes. And if the applause after your first number is louder than your second number's going to be, you have to turn off the Q3 and start over.The Q3 can use the same wall-plug power unit as the H mics, but it's not included in the nice price. If none of this bugs you. its a really great machine. Hi SamuelWhy would you NOT pick the Zoom Q3?Because the Q3 doesn't have a proper manual level setting. It offers you Low, High and Auto. "Low" is 24 dB lower than "High", that's a big jump. "Auto" lowers the recording level when it needs to, but never raises it. Unfortunately, it doesn't put markers in the file to tell you when it lowered or how much it lowered, which makes it a bitch to correct the audio file for level changes. And if the applause after your first number is louder than your second number's going to be, you have to turn off... » Read More Hi SamuelWhy would you NOT pick the Zoom Q3?Because the Q3 doesn't have a proper manual level setting. It offers you Low, High and Auto. "Low" is 24 dB lower than "High", that's a big jump. "Auto" lowers the recording level when it needs to, but never raises it. Unfortunately, it doesn't put markers in the file to tell you when it lowered or how much it lowered, which makes it a bitch to correct the audio file for level changes. And if the applause after your first number is louder than your second number's going to be, you have to turn off the Q3 and start over.The Q3 can use the same wall-plug power unit as the H mics, but it's not included in the nice price. If none of this bugs you. its a really great machine. « Show Less
1578212
I shoot DSLR video with multiple cameras. I wanted to find a way to mic up several people at once without having to buy multiple lav receiver/transmitters. (they are extremely expensive). I've was able to connect 5 lavalier mics to it. And plugged it into a Zoom H2N recorder. It works worked perfectly fine for me without any volume loss or audio degradation whatsoever. here the link to the lavs i used. http://www.amazon.com/Neewer-3-5mm-Hands-Computer-Microphone/dp/B005DJOI8I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382035340&sr=8-1&keywords=5x+lavalier And this is the audio recorder: http://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H2N-H2n-Handy-Recorder/dp/B005CQ2ZY6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382035397&sr=8-1&keywords=zoom+h2n
1110919
truthfully, I don't really know --- I got this microphone to record into my laptop computer (recording trumpet music) -- ultimately, I believe the microphone is a good one, the only point I can make is the "sound card" on my laptop is really not designed to record with clarity (this microphone helped, and was much improved over the one in the laptop) -- but ultimately the computer is the weakest link to recording. sorry I can't really offer you any substantial opinion -- except I got a Zoom Q3 digital recorder for a couple of hundred bucks, that allowed me to record my trumpet playing with clarity (the Zoom was designed with SOUND recording in mind ----my laptop was not) truthfully, I don't really know --- I got this microphone to record into my laptop computer (recording trumpet music) -- ultimately, I believe the microphone is a good one, the only point I can make is the "sound card" on my laptop is really not designed to record with clarity (this microphone helped, and was much improved over the one in the laptop) -- but ultimately the computer is the weakest link to recording. sorry I can't really offer you any substantial opinion -- except I got a Zoom Q3 digital recorder for a couple of hundred bucks, that allowed me to record my trumpet... » Read More truthfully, I don't really know --- I got this microphone to record into my laptop computer (recording trumpet music) -- ultimately, I believe the microphone is a good one, the only point I can make is the "sound card" on my laptop is really not designed to record with clarity (this microphone helped, and was much improved over the one in the laptop) -- but ultimately the computer is the weakest link to recording. sorry I can't really offer you any substantial opinion -- except I got a Zoom Q3 digital recorder for a couple of hundred bucks, that allowed me to record my trumpet playing with clarity (the Zoom was designed with SOUND recording in mind ----my laptop was not) « Show Less
1552400
I really don't know. I'm not a musician by any means but it really does an excellent job of recording conversations. As a comment, I certainly don't think it would do any harm in buying it. You can always use it.
1531926
I received mine over the weekend from Amazon, but have done similar research as you did for over a week. I've noticed the same thing as you do on the price increase. IMO I chaulk it up to supply and demand. I shopped around and found the prices to be generally very close amongst online stores, and no more $435's available except at one reputable NY store selling it at $439 just the other day, and is back-ordered. The thing is that with Amazon there aren't even other vendors selling this camera at any price, so it's completely up to Amazon to charge what it thinks is appropriate. Even the used prices (which are mostly by Amazon in this case) have risen by a large margin. However, the camera is fantastic! So it's still a value proposition in my case. Since I sold my M43 gear, this $500 price tag is downright low. Look at it another way, there are no M43 or DSLRs (bodies only) that shoot at 5.5 FPS with autofocus or 12 without that come in at less than a grand. The lens range and aperture are in the same situation, there is nothing in the inter-changeable lens world that come close without costing multiples of this FZ150. Seriously, an Olympus 28-200'ish mm equivalent M43 lens runs at $450; a Nikon 18-200 VR for APS-C sensor is at approx $900; a Nikon 28-300 VR for full frame is about $1k (while non of these open to f 2.8). True, those cameras have larger sensors and the lenses are quality stuff and can do different things (we're not totally comparing apples to apples here), but if this camera is right for you for what you do as it does in my case for what I intend it to do, which is for travel (light) and take photos of my son at baseball games, the price is a steal. Frankly this camera out guns my DSLR by a large margin and does 1080P video with fast accurate auto focus at 60p :) I cannot do manual video focus of sports - at any price! On the other hand, other options may be to wait and see, or buy used. I checked out eBay, no luck there (but Amazon pricing staff already know that).
1951016
Bill,Thank you for the information. I also looked at some HD solutions from your typical consumer digital camera's but was turned off by the short recording time and large storage space required. It seems you cannot use the zoom feature at all with the DMC-FX35K while shooting video with it. For $199.99, I think the Vado HD is your best choice for HD video recording. Cheers!Oscar V.
1579292
I use it to record music classes. It is outstanding. Parameters need to be turned on so sound isn't too faint nor too saturated. Outside lectures can be difficult for any device but this will do it about as well as anything. Upon getting this I would suggest recording a TV show in your home, radio blasting from your stereo and talking. Learn how to optimize the recorder for various environments and it will pay off on your trip with flawless recordings. If that sounds too complex then get TASCAM DR-40 which can be set to record everything twice. One is called a "safety track" at a lower level so you're sure to have something. Buy a bunch of SD cards and an external hard drive to back up your work. I use it to record music classes. It is outstanding. Parameters need to be turned on so sound isn't too faint nor too saturated. Outside lectures can be difficult for any device but this will do it about as well as anything. Upon getting this I would suggest recording a TV show in your home, radio blasting from your stereo and talking. Learn how to optimize the recorder for various environments and it will pay off on your trip with flawless recordings. If that sounds too complex then get TASCAM DR-40 which can be set to record everything twice. One is called a "safety track" at a... » Read More I use it to record music classes. It is outstanding. Parameters need to be turned on so sound isn't too faint nor too saturated. Outside lectures can be difficult for any device but this will do it about as well as anything. Upon getting this I would suggest recording a TV show in your home, radio blasting from your stereo and talking. Learn how to optimize the recorder for various environments and it will pay off on your trip with flawless recordings. If that sounds too complex then get TASCAM DR-40 which can be set to record everything twice. One is called a "safety track" at a lower level so you're sure to have something. Buy a bunch of SD cards and an external hard drive to back up your work. « Show Less