Zoom Q3 Handy Video Recorder: An Audio-First Video Camera

Apparently all those other crazy video camera companies have been doing it all wrong. Video is about the audio, not the video. That’s where this new Zoom Q3 is coming from, at least. The new camera forgoes the silly notion of HD quality video and makes a stand at SD. While the video quality won’t be competitive with other offerings out there, the audio is the focus of the cam and is its  main selling point. And that’s okay, because the Zoom Q3 is being largely marketed as the device to film musical performances and events where sound counts.

Indeed, it’s two top-mounted condenser mics appear far more capable of delivering true stereo sound than the average pocket cam. Additionally, the Q3 features high, low and auto sound settings to optimize recording for both loud and soft environments. Besides its high-quality audio capabilities, the Q3 includes a 2.4-inch LCD screen with a 320 x 240 resolution, a built-in USB cable and built-in tripod on the bottom. It comes with a 2GB SD card for up to one hour of storage and supports cards up to 32GB. It also includes a composite video cable for output to a television. Its retail price is $249. Hopefully, they’ll merge the audio technology of the Q3 with HD video recording in the future to provide a truly top-end experience. [Samson via Dvice]