Well looking at the demos I wouldn't say it's high quality. It seems like a cheap version of go pro with better audio.
I don't like the fisheye effect but some do.

I guess it depends on what the purpose of the video is and the quality you are looking for.
I use a DSLR. With a bit of photographic knowledge, it opens to a world of possibilities. The zoom is more what you see is what you get... I think

So my cell phone will take just as good a video you think?

Brien Holcombe, post: 443657, member: 48996 wrote: So my cell phone will take just as good a video you think?

Depends on the cell phone ;)

Good looking videos has more to do with lights then the camera these days. Of course, good lens will make a big difference because you can choose the depth of field and aparture.
But if you light your subject correctly it will have a better impact on the image, specially if uploaded on youtube with all the compression they make...

I honestly didn't try the zoom.. but for 159$ ? I have doubt on the quality of the unit which is suppose to give excellent image and sound...
We're putting thousands of dollars on mics and preamps for god sake.. I'm seeing this 159$ as a pimped webcam but not much more... ;)
A Gopro starts around 300$... But of course, if the stereo mic is any good on the zoom and you want to record a live act, it'll be better than a cellphone.

If I had more info on what you want to achieve, it would be easier to answer.

Thanks for the info, Marco. I too am looking into doing videos so I will be watching this thread. Your videos are very good. I want to start shooting construction tutorials inside houses. Just good enough to explain things for home owners to grasp DIY.

I was thinking using a cell as well. What would you suggest. $1000 or less is a good starting point.

My view is always considering what you want to do with the video.. If they are not a source of revenu, A cellphone maybe enough quality, I really don't know.

To me, video was a way to expend my artistic passion and offer a new service to my Customers at the studio.. So, I had no choice but try to offer better quality than cellphones since anyone could do videos at home.
I guess there is 4 aspects that I try to get better at.

1. is the lighting: 2 or 3 points lighting is kind of the basic go to setup. I often add more lights if I want to light the background (green screen or white screen)
   
2. The audio; being a recording studio, there is no excuse to not give great audio quality. Either by doing voice over, recording the song before and lipsink or to put a mic the closest possible to the actor. I'm considering a lavelier but for now I put a KSM44 / ISA just outside of the video frame or even in the frame (doesn't really mather)
3. The quality of the video itself. I use a Canon T6S with a 50mm f1.8 or my 18-135mm f3.5-4.5 but any DSLR with autofocus on video will do.
4. The video editor. I use Adobe premier because it give a very wide range of possibilities but and editor that lets you sync audio and video will do. . . Premiere is specially good at layering and chromakey (green screen removal)

   I know we all have ideas about sound, so if I was to start somewhere with a cellphone, the lighting would be my first consern. That's why I put it the first on my list.
   Today I'm still wanting to upgrade my lights and lens. . . My 50mm doesn't have image stabilisation and my 18-135mm don't go lower than f3.5-4.5. I'll get to it in 2017.

   Another thing to consider is if you go onsite or outside with all that gear.. An AC powered light doesn't do good outside in a forest unless it has a battery option.

   Feel free to ask more specific question on my setup .. I might not be a Professional video maker yet but... I've got some researches Under my belt ;)

Brien Holcombe, post: 443644, member: 48996 wrote: t does both. But is the video really good? I am thinking I might still have to use my focusrite and record.

I think Zoom has always done quite well with audio quality. I recorded a jazz quartet once with the old model ( forget the number, maybe H2N?) and I was pleasantly surprised at just how good it sounded - very natural, not hyped in any way, nice spatial imaging, nice top end, full and warm lows... Of course, you know more than anyone, the room matters big-time.

Have you seen the video demos on Sweetwater's site? They should give you a fairly good representation of the video quality - they've obviously been edited in post ( cross-fades and such) but the vids still look pretty good to me.
I'm using an iPhone 6, and I don't believe that the video quality on my phone is nearly as good as what I'm seeing on Sweetwater's page... and IMO, the audio quality on the Zoom will be better than even the best of cell phones.

$159 really isn't all that much in the grand scheme of what we spend on our craft. If it were me, I'd check Sweetwater's return policy, and if they'd allow you to return it if you didn't find it acceptable, well, I'm saying I'd at least give it a try.

FWIW
-d.

DonnyThompson, post: 443661, member: 46114 wrote: I'm using an iPhone 6, and I don't believe that the video quality on my phone is nearly as good as what I'm seeing on Sweetwater's page... and IMO, the audio quality on the Zoom will be better than even the best of cell phones.

I friend sent me one of these last month. http://www.rode.com/microphones/ixy

• Record stereo audio at 24-bit, 96kHz*
• Matched pair of 1/2" cardioid condenser capsules
• Metal casing for enhanced durability and electromagnetic interference immunity.
• Includes windshield, zip case
• Software-switchable 72Hz high pass filter for reduction of unwanted low frequency noise.
• iXY-L compatible with iPhone 5, iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6plus.
• iXY-30PIN compatible with iPhone 4s and earlier**
• Twelve month warranty

The RØDE i-XY is the ultimate recording microphone for iPhone® and iPad®. With up to 24-bit/96k* recording and on-board high-fidelity A/D conversion, your i-XY recordings are rich, smooth and accurate. At the heart of the i-XY is a matched pair of ½” cardioid condenser capsules, fixed in a perfect 90 degree ‘near-coincident’ alignment. This results in immersive and true-to-life stereo recordings, captured in incredibly high detail. Designed and manufactured in Australia, the i-XY is available in two versions - Lightning and 30-pin. The Lightning version supports the iPhone® 5s, iPhone® 5 and iPhone® 5c. The 30-pin version supports the iPhone® 4S, iPhone® 4, iPad® (3rd generation) and iPad® 2. A foam windshield is supplied for outdoor recording as well as a reinforced protective zip case to ensure your i-XY is available whenever you need it. For more information

It looks really well made, great little package. Its designed for iphone 5 and up I only have an iphone 4 so I am upgrading to a 6 or iphone 7 . I see I could order the iXY-30PIN adapter but I'm upgrading anyway so I will wait.Wow, the newer iphones are expensive in Canada.

pcrecord, post: 443660, member: 46460 wrote: My view is always considering what you want to do with the video.. If they are not a source of revenu, A cellphone maybe enough quality, I really don't know.

To me, video was a way to expend my artistic passion and offer a new service to my Customers at the studio.. So, I had no choice but try to offer better quality than cellphones since anyone could do videos at home.
I guess there is 4 aspects that I try to get better at.

1. is the lighting: 2 or 3 points lighting is kind of the basic go to setup. I often add more lights if I want to light the background (green screen or white screen)
   
2. The audio; being a recording studio, there is no excuse to not give great audio quality. Either by doing voice over, recording the song before and lipsink or to put a mic the closest possible to the actor. I'm considering a lavelier but for now I put a KSM44 / ISA just outside of the video frame or even in the frame (doesn't really mather)
3. The quality of the video itself. I use a Canon T6S with a 50mm f1.8 or my 18-135mm f3.5-4.5 but any DSLR with autofocus on video will do.
4. The video editor. I use Adobe premier because it give a very wide range of possibilities but and editor that lets you sync audio and video will do. . . Premiere is specially good at layering and chromakey (green screen removal)

   I know we all have ideas about sound, so if I was to start somewhere with a cellphone, the lighting would be my first concern. That's why I put it the first on my list.
   Today I'm still wanting to upgrade my lights and lens. . . My 50mm doesn't have image stabilization and my 18-135mm don't go lower than f3.5-4.5. I'll get to it in 2017.

   Another thing to consider is if you go onsite or outside with all that gear.. An AC powered light doesn't do good outside in a forest unless it has a battery option.

   Feel free to ask more specific question on my setup .. I might not be a Professional video maker yet but... I've got some researches Under my belt ;)

Wow, thanks for sharing this. I will definitely ask you more. Have you tried the new iphones, like the 7 yet Marco?

Obviously when 160usd is part of the thread..we aren't talking much...not expecting much. I have been working on some arrangements this year and I want good recording quality, I dont think I want to continue that it takes too much for me since I am just not that good at capturing sound. But when I do it I am thinking about the visual aspect, even as small as watching the guy play the guitar that is singing the song is better than a horse running across the screen or water down a stream that is not connected.

And because it is small and cheap, I would probably give it to my grand daughter to use...I like to expose her to technology and music since it is in her life deeper than it was in mine at her age.

Thanks Marco, Donny, Audio kid...I will most likely get one not a big lose one way or the other.
And now I have to get on the ToneWoodAmp waiting list.

Brien Holcombe, post: 443664, member: 48996 wrote: And because it is small and cheap, I would probably give it to my grand daughter to use...I like to expose her to technology and music since it is in her life deeper than it was in mine at her age.

+1 in sharing our journey with the kids :love:

The quality of the demo videos looks and sounds fairly decent. For the price, it seems like pretty good value for money. I agree with Marco, like any other video recorder, good lighting is where you get the biggest payoff.

audiokid, post: 443663, member: 1 wrote: Have you tried the new iphones, like the 7 yet Marco?

I have a 5c... what budget allow for now ;)