Zoom Handy Recorder (H1N) Gray

I specialize in tech reviews and as a professional photographer and filmmaker have a good understanding of value vs. quality when it comes to recording devices. The two best in class for roughly $100 or less are the Zoom H1N vs. Sony ICD-UX570. Which is better? Read on:The better question really is “Which is best FOR YOU?” I own both and highly recommend each excellent recorder for value yet there are key differences. Let’s compare to help your decision process:SIZE AND STOWABILITY:In person each is likely quite a bit smaller than you may be expecting. The Sony is the smallest—quite tiny. This advantage is also a potential “small” disadvantage when standing up the recorder for interviews. While it is not likely to tip over you don’t a loud bang in the middle of an important speech. Thus, I found a great little Arae cell phone stand that weighs nearly nothing yet ensures the Sony’s not going to tip. The Zoom is bigger and bulbous around the top to protect its mics. Even though it has more size to its base it is still tipable, If you want to secure it, there is a plastic tripod thread on its side. I use a great little mini tripod like the Manfrotto Pixi for various audio needs including holding the Zoom recorder.SOUND QUALITY AND VERSATILITY:Both superb. The Sony defaults to a darn near perfect setting for almost all uses: MP3 at 192KBPS. It’s broadcast quality yet makes for very small file sizes. If you don’t mind slightly bigger files, the Zoom has slightly higher quality MP3 setting giving the option to use 320 KBPS. If you don’t mind huge files, the absolute highest quality setting for the Sony is uncompressed LCPM. The Zoom has several WAV choices including 96KHZ/24 bit.Speaking of sound quality, when using meters to set optimal levels, Zoom makes it easy with a gain control dial right in front. However, that advantage can also be a job killer as the dial can easily be turned without you knowing it. I prefer to lock it out by most often selecting the Auto Level button also on the front of the recorder.In terms of sheer versatility, the Zoom does more but that makes it more complex to use. Its controls can be aggravating and are not particularly user friendly. Although the Sony selection menus are not the easiest to navigate, compared with the Zoom the selections are far more user friendly and easily tested to achieve excellence for any given situation.RECORDING TIME AND FLEXIBILITY:Sony wins due to several factors. It has a long lasting built in battery that is easily charged via its built in USB connector. Zoom takes two AAA batteries—no big deal but so its batteries don’t run out in the middle of a job I prefer to change to new ones each time I record. The Sony has 4GB of recording space built in. The Zoom has none. Lastly, the Sony can take a 64GB Mini SDXC cardwhile the Zoom will not formatny SDHC card bigger than 32GB.BUILT QUALITY:The Sony is solidly build and impressive. I was surprised by the Zoom’s cheap, plasticky feeling. Mine came with a defective headphone jack although in the unlikely event that should also happen to you, I’m sure Amazon will make it right.CONCLUSION:Both are fine recorders and it is hard to nitpick among two best in class machines. For anyone other than a pro, I suggest the Sony. I strongly prefer it for ease of use and build quality, too. It costs quite a bit less than the Zoom although both recorders are excellent values. If you have more time to tinker, you may love the Zoom. With either, although the built in mics are quite good, I prefer to use easy-to-plug-in 3.5mm mics whenever possible. It’s worth having two basic types in your kit. As you may already know consider getting a wired ominidirectional lavalier such as the terrific ones from Rode and Sennheiser starting at $50. For the best interview sound quality, it is great to have a small directional cardioid mic such as the near identical ones from Boya and Movo for $35 or less. I mount the mic on a mini tripod. Small cardioid mics like these also double as a great solution for mirrorless cameras and DSLRs.Hope this too long review has been of some small help. Best of luck in your searc and keep on recording the good stuff!

I've had trouble trying to connect an external mic to my SONY voice recorder, so I got this one thinking that the cross mics would work better. Unfortunately, this didn't work either. 3 problems: 1) Audio not as good as on my current voice recorder. 2) Requires micro SD card. 3) Receives audio even when turned off - drain on batteries.

I got my new devise and was excited to try it. To my surprise I needed a SD card which was not indicated and not provided when I purchased it.If I had known I probably wouldn’t of purchased it since I needed a push and record push and playback

It may have been my unit but the level knobs did not function properly. It also had a high noise level floor (strange because a lot of reviews are so good)Built: well very basic for 100$. They should at least have use a rubbery surface to reduce the sound generated by the manipulation. I returned it and will most likely buy something else

Great product; so far very happy! Storage: Micro SD 32GB maximum - won’t read larger micro SD cards, & buy a case! It’s smaller and feels more delicate than the H4N. Happy with purchase!