Q8 Handy Video Recorder

Think of the possibilities.

The Q8 marries high-definition video with high-resolution audio, making it the perfect camera for music and video creators everywhere. Its 160 degree wide-angle lens and digital zoom ensure that you’ll always capture the complete picture. Combine that with ZOOM’s groundbreaking interchangeable mic capsule system and two XLR/TRS combo inputs for a world of options.

WATCH THE PRODUCT VIDEO SPECS & DETAILS

The Total Package

Easy to use and full-featured.

The Q8 offers a large full-color LCD touchscreen for ease of use, along with a wealth of advanced features. Dual combo 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; there’s even an HDMI output for video monitoring.

Its high-quality 160-degree wide-angle lens and flexible mounting options mean that you can shoot high-def video anywhere you go. Plus there’s a USB output that allows the Q8 to be interconnected with your computer so you can use it with your favorite streaming or editing software.

Your Go-To Tool

Whatever you create, wherever your imagination takes you. Whether you’re a musician, indie filmmaker, podcaster, blogger, teacher, or video pro, you’ll find the Q8 to be the perfect creative companion.

_{THE MUSICIAN}

Capture the total experience.

Great performances can be elusive … but with the Q8, they can live forever. Capture the total experience — not just the sights but the sounds, too. Shoot video from the audience and use the supplied wide-angle X/Y mic to capture immersive sound. Take your Q8 onstage to get close and provide the musician’s perspective. Or use it at the mixing position to combine sharp high-def video and stereo room sound with the crisp, clean audio signal coming straight from the board.

_{THE INDIE FILMMAKER}

Run and gun.

The compact size of the Q8 and its compatibility with both tripod mounts and three-prong action camera mounts mean you can shoot footage anywhere, from perspectives other cameras simply cannot capture. Take it to remote locations. Indoors or outdoors, wherever you go, you can count on your Q8 to deliver crisp video with superior audio.

^{THE PODCASTER}

Unique perspective,
pro quality.

Get creative and do it right. By bringing together high-definition video and high-resolution 24-bit/96k audio, the Q8 allows you to take your YouTube creations and podcasts to a whole new level. Use your Q8 to educate and entertain, turn viewers into subscribers, and let advertisers know that you’re the real deal.

^{THE BLOGGER}

Make a statement

Don’t let anything get in the way of the story. The Q8 is perfect for electronic newsgathering, for conducting interviews, and for creating personal video blogs and podcasts. Capture video and audio to an SD card for later editing with your favorite software or stream it live; you can even use the Q8 as a web camera or USB microphone.

^{THE TEACHER}

Spread the word

With its high-quality sound and crisp, sharp video, the Q8 is the perfect teaching tool, ideal for creating detailed video lessons and demonstrating fingerings, bowings, and other playing skills. Use it to capture students’ rehearsals and performances so they can review and perfect both form and technique, documenting and enabling their musical growth.

^{THE VIDEO PRO}

Features that matter

With single-button recording, self-timer, high quality wide-angle lens, and sensing options that automatically adapt to various lighting situations, the Q8 is the ideal tool for creating professional-quality videos with pristine audio.

Transfer the files to your favorite editing software via USB and turn your raw footage into high-quality productions. The Q8’s compact size makes it the perfect B-roll camera too, allowing you to go where your big rig can’t and capture video from unusual angles. You can even use the Q8 as a standalone audio field recorder.

SIX INTERCHANGABLE MIC CAPSULES

^{AUDIO FEATURES}

Full range, crystal clarity

The Q8 delivers that same great Zoom sound quality you’ll find in all of our products, with support for high-resolution 24-bit/96kHz audio. It comes with a high-quality detachable X/Y microphone or you can connect different Zoom mic capsules.

A low-cut filter and foam windscreen allow you to eliminate low-frequency noise and rumble, as well as a built-in compressor and limiter. Audio can be recorded along with video, or the Q8 can be used as a standalone stereo or four-channel audio-only recorder.

The Q8's video screen with menu selection showing.

^{VIDEO FEATURES}

Go beyond High Definition

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. Support for both standard and HD video file formats assures that you’ll have plenty of options when it comes to storage and streaming.

Its F2.0 aperture / 160˚ wide-angle lens ensures that you’ll capture every moment with full realism and sharp definition. The Q8 comes with 10 “Scene” presets which allow you to use it in a variety of lighting conditions, from direct sunlight to low-light. These presets include "Concert Lighting" (which can be adjusted for lighting conditions that can drastically change) and "Concert Low-Light," both designed for dimly lit locations. More specific settings allow you to tailor the camera for shooting in jazz clubs, rehearsal studios, and the outdoors.

^{FLEXIBLE MOUNTING}

Change your point of view

Need a different POV? The Q8’s got you covered. 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.

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.

Connectivity, power to spare, and selectable file formats

A built-in USB port enables live streaming and allows the Q8 to be used as a webcam or USB microphone. It also allows connection with other equipment and computer software — even an iPad* — for post-production capability.

_{*Apple Camera Connection Kit required.}

The supplied lithium-ion battery that powers the Q8 can be recharged easily in the studio or in the field, using either an optional AC adapter or via USB. Battery life is more than two hours when shooting at 720p/30fps. In audio recording-only mode, battery life is extended further still.

Q8 records in MOV file format, in HD or standard definition (SVGA) when space or streaming bandwidth is at a premium. Audio can be integrated directly into the MOV file, or saved separate in WAV and AAC formats, up to 24-bit/96k.

The Q8 records directly to SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards, up to 128GB. The Q2n-4K can record on microSD, microSDHC and microSDXC cards. And when using the Q2n-4K with a microSDXC card, you can record longer sessions (up to 256 GB) as a single file.

What's in the Box

Here’s what comes included with the Q8:

Detachable stereo X/Y microphone capsule (XYQ-8)
Foam windscreen
Rechargeable Li-ion battery
USB cable (50 cm)
Tripod to three-prong action camera mount adapter
Lens cover
Lens hood
Strap
Operation manual

Optional Q8 Accessories:

XYH-5 X/Y mic capsule
XYH-6 X/Y mic capsule
MSH-6 Mid-Side mic capsule
SGH-6 Shotgun mic capsule
SSH-6 Stereo Shotgun mic capsule
SCQ-8 Padded-shell case

VIEW GALLERY

Recording media	SD/SDHC/SDXC cards (up to 128GB)
Image sensor	1/3-inch 3-megapixel CMOS sensor
Lens	Fixed focus (36cm - ∞) F2.0, focal distance approx. 16.6 mm (35mm equivalent)
Video format	MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (MOV)
Video resolutions	3M HD (2304 x 1296 pixels) 30fps, HD (1080 pixels) 30fps , HD (720 pixels) 60fps , HD (720 pixels) 30fps , WVGA 60fps , WVGA 30fps
Audio formats	WAV (16/24-bit quantization, 44.1/48/96kHz sampling frequency) , AAC (64-320kbps bit rate, 48kHz sampling
Audio functions	Low-cut filter, compressor, limiter
Image functions	Digital zoom (1.0x-4.0x) , Scene selection (Auto/Concert Lighting/Night) , Self timer (Off, 3 seconds, 5 seconds, 10 seconds)
Display	2.7" full-color LCD touchscreen
Built-in speaker	400mW 8 Ω mono speaker

X/Y mic (XYQ-8)	120° X/Y stereo format
Maximum sound pressure input	140 dB SPL
Input gain	∞ to +52 dB
Equivalent input noise	− 120 dBu or less

Connectors	TRS/XLR combo jacks
Input gain (PAD OFF)	−∞ to 55 dB
Input gain (PAD ON)	−∞ to 35 dB
Input impedance	1.8 k Ω or more
Maximum input level	+22 dBu (PAD ON)
Phantom power	+12/+24/+48V (Global for INPUT 1 and 2)

Connector	USB Mini B type
Operation as mass storage	Class: USB 2.0 High Speed
Operation as audio interface	Class: USB 1.0 Full Speed
Operation as webcam	WVGA/720p video size, 48kHz 16-bit audio
	Note: Operation as audio interface and mass storage supported with iPad (Apple Camera Connection Kit required) Note: USB bus power supported

USB	4 hours, 30 minutes (approximate)
AC adapter	2 hours, 45 minutes (approximate)
Battery operation time	More than 2 hours (when recording 720p/30fps)

Connectors	Combined line/headphones stereo mini-jack . Type D micro HDMI

Power supply	Lithium ion battery \| DC 4.2V maximum voltage, \| DC 3.7V nominal voltage, \| 1700mAh capacity

Mic lowered	158mm (L) x 48mm (W) x 69mm (H)
Mic raised	158mm (L) x 48mm (W) x 119mm (H)
X/Y mic (XYQ-8)	50mm (L) x 37mm (W) x 32mm (H)

Recorder	260g / 9.2oz (without battery, capsule)
XYQ-8 Mic Capsule	40g / 1.4oz
Battery	40g / 1.4oz

Think of the possibilities.

The Total Package

Your Go-To Tool

THE MUSICIAN

Capture the total experience.

THE INDIE FILMMAKER

Run and gun.

THE PODCASTER

Unique perspective, pro quality.

THE BLOGGER

Make a statement

THE TEACHER