Zoom - H5 Handy Recorder

i use my zoom for all kinds of audio recording scenarios and it's super solid. a lot of different functionality and high quality recording, love the size but still being able to use xlr cables. would definitely recommend this over most recorders.

I’m new to sound equipment and did some research before making this purchase. In the end, I was stuck between the H4 and H5 as I understood these to be some of the more common in the industry for professional field recording. I’ve been using the H5 for over 6 months now and am very pleased with the crisp, high quality sound it records. I love popping in my headphones and just listening to the enhanced reality surrounding me as I’m recording. Feels surreal, like being in the IMAX. When held close, it captures your voice nicely and is great for audio notes. A bit of a podcast tone to it. The rubber-like material around the grip is great and keeps it from slipping or moving around in your hand. It’s also a slimmer and sleeker build compared to the H4. Light weight and easy to grab with you on the go. I’m very happy with the purchase. While I don’t have personal experience with the H4, I’d say if you can afford it, go for the H5. It’s been improved to offer a more comfortable experience for the user, although I believe the sound itself is highly comparable. The H4 has been used by professionals for years and is too a great investment for a smaller budget.

A good improvement over the H4N. However I ended up returning the product not due to any dissatisfaction with the quality of operation (I never even opened the box) but rather I decided I wanted the color display of the H6 which also offers a VU meter and other enhanced display features. The graphics on the H5 are like those on the H4N - clunky and look like a crude display from decades ago. The display on the H6 are much better.

Great audio. I paired my zoom H5 with Ntg 4+ The sound is Crisp!

Use it to record my band at school. Super easy to use. I have an original zoom mic I purchased many years ago and they don’t disappoint.

Works great. I use it for off camera audio recording with multiple mics.

Little things like having a metal bar to keep you from accidentally adjusting your volumes are made because other users have complained about accidentally adjusting the volumes on other recorders. It's a well thought out device. The sound quality is also better than good.

I'm a live sound engineer and love to record my shows. I can't always multi track so the H5 is exactly what I need to get a matrix recording. The XY pattern mics also get a great ambient recording. This is great for movie audio recording as well. The card that comes with it is operational but, not big. Definitely get a larger size one for big projects.