Zoom Q2n-4K: Wow! - Sand, software and sound

January 2nd and I’ve started my Web-scrape in advance of Winter NAMM 2019 (24-27 January 2019).

I came across a short blurb for the Zoom Q2n-4K Camera for Musicians and all I can say is “Wow!” A lot of this “Wow” comes simply from my awe at the amount of high definition functionality — video and audio — which can be packed into a small package. Oh, yeah, for $199USD:

Image Sensor: 1/2.3″ 16 M-flexible CMOS sensor
Video resolution: 4K, 1080, 720
Audio Formats: WAV: 96 kHz/24-bit, 48 kHz/24-bit, 44.1 kHz/16-bit
Display: 1.77″ four-color LCD (160 × 128)
Built-in Mic: Fixed 120° XY stereo mic
Video out: HDMI micro Type D
Power: 2 AA batteries or adapter

If the Q2n-4K was available in the 60s and 70s, you could have shot it to the moon on a robotic lander (issues of radiation hardening and temperature extremes aside). It would have exceeded anything available at the time for resolution, weight and power.

I may have to give the Q2n-4K a try as my trusty Roland Micro-BR is getting long in the tooth. It would make a handy recorder on Sundays when I’d like to record our music ministry in action for self-critique.

Then there is the Zoom H3-vr recorder with 4 built-in mics arranged in an Ambisonic array (below).

Take me to your leader. Take me to your leader.

It’s amazing to see and hear where 60+ years of solid state electronics has gotten us…