Zoom Q8 Video Recorder

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.

Capture the total experience.

THE MUSICIAN

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.

Run and gun.

THE INDIE FILMMAKER

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.

Unique perspective, pro quality.

THE PODCASTER

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.

Make a statement

THE BLOGGER

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.

Spread the word

THE TEACHER

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.

Features that matter

THE VIDEO PRO

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.

Complete compatibility for total versatility.

The Q8 comes with its own specially designed detachable X/Y microphone, yet it’s compatible with most Zoom microphone capsules. If you already use an H5 or H6, you can swap their capsules with the Q8 too.*

* EXH-6 TRS/XLR Combo Capsule is not compatible with the Q8.

Full range, crystal clarity

AUDIO FEATURES

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.

Go beyond High Definition

VIDEO FEATURES

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.

Change your point of view

FLEXIBLE MOUNTING

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.

Here’s what comes included with the Q8:

Optional Q8 Accessories: