By technical editor Matt Allard:
The Japanese company Zoom has announced the Q8 HD video and four track audio recorder. The Q8 marries high-definition video with high-resolution audio, making it a good companion for music, video creators, bloggers and educators. It could also work very well as a low cost BTS camera.
The Q8 comes with its own specially designed detachable X/Y microphone, yet it’s compatible with many Zoom microphone capsules. If you already use an H5 or H6, you can swap their capsules with the Q8 too. The XLR-TRS inputs allow the connection of external microphones and line-level sources, and a built-in speaker and stereo Headphone/Line Out jack provide audio monitoring
The Q8 goes beyond standard HD, offering 3M HD (2304 x 1296 pixels @ 30fps /24mbps) as well as two kinds of HD (24mbps and 16mbps for increased storage capability) at frame rates of up to 60 fps at 720p for capturing fast action video. The lens features a F2.0 aperture with a 160˚ wide-angle field of view. Three “Scene” presets allow you to use the Q8 in a variety of different lighting conditions. The Q8 records directly to SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards, up to 128GB. Video is stored in MOV file format, with various HD settings for maximum video quality, or you can shoot in standard definition (SVGA) when space or streaming bandwidth is at a premium. Recorded audio can be integrated directly into the MOV file, or audio can be saved separately from the video data.
Not only can it be attached to any standard tripod, it comes with a tripod-to-three-prong converter, so you can use it with every kind of action camera mount, too. According to Zoom you can take your Q8 onstage and mount it to your mic stand, amp, or drum kit. Shoot video from front row center and use the supplied stereo X/Y microphone to capture the audience experience. Or use the Q8 at the mixing position and record the feed from the board, as well as the sound of the room. Use multiple Q8s for a dramatic mix of different angles — the full-color touchscreen LCD is fully rotatable so you can always view your image regardless of camera positioning.
A variety of specially designed optimised microphone capsules are available as an optional extra. They include:
XYQ-8 Wide Angle X/Y Capsule
X/Y stereo recording allows you to cover a wide area yet still maintain a strong center image. The XYQ-8 capsule is specially designed for use with the Q8. It features two matched unidirectional condenser microphones set at 120 degrees relative to one another for immersive stereo that compliments the wide-angle image delivered by the Q8 lens.
XYH-6 Large Diaphragm X/Y Capsule
The XYH-6 capsule allows you to craft realistic stereo recordings in every kind of environment. It adds dual large diaphragm mic elements with adjustable width—choose 90 degrees for a more focused sound or 120 degrees for a wider stereo image. It’s a great choice for live recording and for capturing sound effects in the field.
XYH-5 Shock Mounted X/Y Capsule
The two matched unidirectional condenser microphones in the XYH-5 capsule are housed within an advanced shockmount to minimize vibration and handling noise. The design of the XYH-5 also allows it to handle extremely loud sounds, making it perfect for use at live rock concerts, for SFX/foley work, and for electronic newsgathering.
MHS-6 MS Capsule
Mid-Side recording allows you to precisely shape your sound. The MSH-6 MS Capsule contains dual mic elements: a forward-facing, unidirectional mic (the “Mid”) and a side-facing, bi-directional mic (the “Side”). They capture a fully mono-compatible stereo image, making the MSH-6 ideal for film, video, and television projects.
SGH-6 Shotgun Capsule
The SGH-6 Shotgun Capsule adds a professional-quality, highly directional microphone to the Q8, creating the perfect setup for broadcast and ENG (electronic newsgathering) applications. Three elements combined with digital signal processing inside the SGH-6 give you the highly directional pickup power of a conventional shotgun mic in a unit only half the size—great for recording dialogue and narration with no intrusive mic in the scene.
SSH-6 Stereo Shotgun Mid-Size Capsule
The SSH-6 Stereo Shotgun capsule adds a super-directional mic for capturing sounds directly in front, plus a bi-directional one for capturing ambient sounds. It’s ideal for location recording, allowing videographers and content creators to capture dialogue or narration with the center microphone and mixing in the desired amount of environmental sound captured by the side microphone.
Zoom Q8 Features:
• Records directly to SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards, up to 128GB
• High-quality 160° wide angle lens with selectable viewing angles (F 2.0/16.6mm)
• Uses a system of interchangeable audio input capsules that can be swapped out as easily as the lens of a camera
• Supplied detachable stereo X/Y microphone (XYQ-8)
• Compatible with all Zoom microphone capsules (sold separately)
• Full-color rotating LCD touchscreen
• Support for five HD video modes, up to 2304 x 1296 pixels (3M HD), as well as two WVGA modes
• Frame rates of up to 60 fps for capturing fast action video and slow motion playback
• Three imaging sense options (AUTO/CONCERT/NIGHT) for use in all lighting environments
• Self timer
• Digital zoom
• Records video in MOV format (with or without audio)
• Records audio in AAC and WAV formats, up to 24-bit/96k
• Up to four tracks of simultaneous audio recording
• Two mic/line inputs with XLR/TRS combo connectors, each with selectable phantom power and -20dB pad
• Analog-style gain controls for each input
• Built-in audio mixer
• Stereo link function
• Built-in compressor, limiter, and leveler
• MS Matrix function converts Mid-Side signal from external mics to standard stereo
• Supplied foam windscreen and low-cut filter for the elimination of low-frequency noise and rumble
• Dedicated Headphone output / Line out
• Built-in speaker for fast monitoring
• HDMI video output for connection to HDTVs, selectable between NTSC and PAL
• USB interface for live streaming and data transfer to and from computer editing software
• Webcam and USB mic function for use with external devices such as computers and iPads (Apple Camera Connection Kit required)
• Direct monitoring for zero latency during use as a USB mic
• Compatible with USTREAM Producer, Flash live Media Encorder, Skype, and other popular streaming applications
• SD card reader function
• Rechargeable Li-Ion battery (chargeable via USB or optional AC adapter)
• Battery life of more than 2 hours
• Standard tripod mount
• Includes tripod-to-three-prong converter for compatibility with all action camera mounts
