New PODCAST 🎧 ep99 - What's the camera of the future? Trying out new features on CineD.com Listen or watch now!
LISTEN to PODCAST 🎧 ep99 🎬
What's the camera of the future?
Education for Filmmakers
Language
The CineD Channels
Info
New to CineD?
You are logged in as
We will send you notifications in your browser, every time a new article is published in this category.
You can change which notifications you are subscribed to in your notification settings.
Audio specialist Zoom has just announced the immediate availability of its latest product: the Zoom Q8n-4K is not only an audio-first video camera, but also a direct successor to the Q2n-4K (article here), which was released back in 2018.
Although this new camera/audio recorder was announced some time ago, it is only now available for purchase.
The concept of an audio-first video camera might seem odd at first glance, but it makes perfect sense upon closer inspection. Both this camera and its 2018 predecessor are perfect companions for musicians, for example.
The ability to visually capture a recording session while also recording top-notch audio is paramount for most of these musicians. I don’t want to say that the additional video features are just “nice-to-have”, but of course the sound is the prime focus here.
According to Zoom, not only musicians, but also filmmakers, podcasters and others can consider themselves the target audience for the new Q8n-4K handy video recorder.
The new Zoom Q8n-4K camera, as the name suggests, offers up to 4K30p UHD video recording (1080/720p @ 60fps) in MPEG-4 AVC/h.264. The lens used has a fixed focal length (and focus) and an aperture of f/2.8. The exact focal length remains unknown, but the field of view is set at 150°, so we’re dealing with a fairly wide-angle lens (according to Zoom, it offers “5 fields of view”, which I guess means digital zoom). Behind the lens operates a 1/2.3″ CMOS sensor with 16MP resolution.
As you can see, the video specs are a bit underwhelming here, but that’s OK (depending on your scenario, of course), we’re dealing with a device from Zoom, so let’s talk audio!
Just like other Zoom audio recorders, the Q8n-4K can not only handle professional audio signals via two XLR inputs (with phantom power: +12 V / +24 V / +48 V) on the camera itself, but also has a special microphone module on the top that can be exchanged for various other microphone modules with different characteristics.
Available are two shotgun modules, XY/AB stereo modules and VR modules, as well as an XLR extension module. In the box you will find a 120° XYQ-8 stereo module.
Audio is being recorded in up to 96 kHz/24-bit, 16-bit WAV. 48 kHz/24-bit, 16-bit and 44.1 kHz/24-bit, 16-bit are also available. As far as advanced audio filters go, the Zoom Q8n-4K offers the following:
The audio modules can be folded back to save space during transport. On the back of the Q8n-4K is a 2-inch LCD display that can be flipped 180° for taking selfies. However, it cannot be articulated and the 320 x 240 resolution also leaves a bit to be desired.
The Zoom Q8n-4K can also serve as an upgrade for your laptop’s integrated front camera when you attend zoom(!) calls, for example. To do so, you have to connect the camera to your computer via USB (Type C). However, the Q8n-4K is then limited to 1080p video und 48 kHz/16-Bit audio.
The Zoom Q8n-4K weighs 367 grams including the battery and can record 1080p videos for up to 2.5 hours (around 80 mins when recording 4K). The camera accepts microSD / microSDHC / microSDXC cards with a capacity of up to 512 GB. If needed, the camera can also be controlled remotely via a special app (iOS/Android), but this requires a Bluetooth adapter (sold separately) called BTA-1.
Dimensions are as follows:
In terms of connectivity, the Q8n-4K offers a combined line/headphone stereo mini jack and a micro HDMI connector for video.
The Zoom Q8n-4K is available now for preorder, and it sells for $399.99. Whether a camera plus pro audio recorder can deliver what it promises at such a low price remains to be seen, but for streamers, musicians, and maybe even filmmakers, this device could be very useful.
Link: Zoom website
What do you think? Would this handy device be worth a closer look for your projects? Share your experiences in the comments below!
Δ
Stay current with regular CineD updates about news, reviews, how-to’s and more.
You can unsubscribe at any time via an unsubscribe link included in every newsletter. For further details, see our Privacy Policy
Want regular CineD updates about news, reviews, how-to’s and more?Sign up to our newsletter and we will give you just that.
You can unsubscribe at any time via an unsubscribe link included in every newsletter. The data provided and the newsletter opening statistics will be stored on a personal data basis until you unsubscribe. For further details, see our Privacy Policy
Olaf von Voss is a freelance cameraman who is in business for well over a decade. He is living in Berlin, Germany but has traveled the world as well while shooting mostly documentaries.