Zoom F8 Field Recorder Hands on Review

Our colleague Curtis Judd‘s recently published an interesting look at a very advanced (yet relatively affordable) 8-channel field audio recorder/mixer for filmmakers and sound professionals.

The F8 is a compact field recorder with very powerful capabilities which seems to impress Judd – here are some of the main specs:

  • 8-channel with 10-track recorder/mixer.
  • 8 low-noise mic preamps with up to 75 dB gain and less than -127 dB EIN, and +4 dB line inputs.
  • Time Code with 0.2ppm accuracy – I/O on standard BNC connectors; drop frame/non-drop formats with Jam Sync.
  • Lightweight aluminum chassis with 3 powering options.
  • Free Zoom F8 Control App for iOS via iTunes allows wireless remote control.

One of the things that seem to us missing from these specs (coming from the Tascam DR70D) is the ability to power the unit using USB (we have been powering our unit with an external USB battery for a long time now).

Rob Rives from B&H tour of the Zoom F8 (and compared to the more advanced Sound Devices 688)

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PM6VOEYpm4g[/youtube]

As for pricing, the Zoom F8 currently sells for just under $1000 (on Amazon), if you were wondering, the Sound Devices 688 cost almost 6 times as much.

On LensVid we have a very extensive section devoted to sound recording for video productions which covers both equipment and techniques here on LensVid.

Iddo Genuth
Iddo Genuth is the founder and chief editor of LensVid.com. He has been a technology reporter working for international publications since the late 1990's and covering photography since 2009. Iddo is also a co-founder of a production company specializing in commercial food and product visual content.

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