REVIEW: Zoom F2 BT Field Recorder
Capturing good audio is a fine art in itself. For podcasters, videographers, journalists, or content creators on the move, a great microphone is a crucial piece of equipment, recording every story and moment with crisp details and absolute clarity. Zoom has long been one of the key players in the world of portable and pocketable field recorders and lavalier microphones, and the F2 BT is their latest addition to the stable.
The F2 was already a solid addition to the Zoom family of highly-regarded field recorders, and with their latest BT variant - standing for 'Bluetooth' - Zoom's improved upon the tried-and-tested formula with its inclusion of Bluetooth controls. When paired with Zoom's mobile app, it unlocks a whole new set of neat creature comforts and conveniences that not only make using your Zoom F2 BT field recorder easier.
PLEASE NOTE: I WAS SENT THIS ITEM FOR REVIEW BUT NO OTHER PAYMENT OR CONTROL WAS EXCHANGED FOR PUBLISHING THIS UNBIASED REVIEW
But, it also adds additional functionality, such as timecode synchronisation and remote control functions that you can set simply using your phone. Although, besides those new features, the Zoom F2 BT that I'd been using still carries over all the awesome upsides and pros of the non-Bluetooth F2. Zoom touts them as the smallest and lightest field recorders ever, though that's not to say that it lacks punch for its size.
If anything, it handily punches far above its weight class. One of the standout and noteworthy highlights of the Zoom F2 and F2 BT 32-bit float recording technology. This alone promises unprecedented dynamic range, helping to eliminate the age-old issue of digital audio clipping. When paired with Zoom's set-and-forget intuitiveness and ease of use, could the F2 and F2 BT be the best field recorders on the market?
What Makes The Zoom F2 And F2 BT Field Recorders So Special?
It wouldn't be a proper review of the F2 and the F2 BT without starting off with Zoom's best piece of tech, their 32-bit float technology. Essentially, it enables a massively wide dynamic range of 1,528dB, dwarfing the 144.5 dB offered by 24-bit linear. The latter of which is what you would find on a lot of contemporary field recorders. So, what does this 32-bit float tech really do, and what upsides does it offer in return?
Well, with such a large dynamic range, it ensures that you can capture a broader range of sound, and do so with pristine audio quality without the risk of clipping or input peaking. As a result, no matter if you're recording a quiet whisper in a library or excessively loud shouting and even explosions, Zoom's F2 and F2 BT can record them cleanly and retain sharp audio quality, without even requiring gain adjustments.
This 32-bit float tech further reinforces Zoom's set-and-forget approach to recording audio, and among a field of highly competent rivals in this space, this is a killer feature to have. Moreover, you'd think that it's bigger than actually it is. Yet, Zoom is able to cram all of this into a compact package. The petite size of a Zoom F2 or F2 BT inside your pocket is barely noticeable, and it's perfect for those on-the-go creators.
You can clip it onto the included belt, ensuring maximal mobility without compromising on audio quality. If you're looking to get started immediately once you get it out of the box, the F2 and F2 BT both come in addition to a lavalier mic. Pre-included mics that come with a lot of field recorders like these are often an afterthought that's worthwhile replacing down the line. In this case, though, the mic that’s included with the Zoom F2 and F2 BT is pretty great!
What Benefits Do The Zoom F2 And F2 BT Bring To The Table?
Given how I've sung praises for the Zoom F2 and their updated F2 BT thus far, you'd rightfully say that I quite like it. From my time with the F2 BT, here are some of the huge plus points that make the F2 BT a worthwhile expense:
Unparalleled Dynamic Range - I've hyped this up before, and I'll say this again, Zoom's 32-bit float tech is enough of a justification to get the F2 and F2 BT by itself. With the 32-bit float recording, you're virtually immune to digital audio clipping, which makes it a game-changer for field recordings. This could be huge for folks who regularly record audio in varying scenarios, like moving between a quiet building interior to the loud honking of traffic once you step outside, and without needing to constantly adjust the gain.
Ease Of Use - Zoom makes it clear that it wants the F2 and F2 BT to be an effortless recorders to use. That does make sense given the target demographic, which would appreciate the lack of fiddling around that needs to be done before every recording. Instead, the F2 and F2 BT, more so with its absence of any gain controls, help to simplify even a complex recording. All you need to do is hit 'record', and let the F2 and F2 BT handle the rest.
Absolute Versatility - Between its compact design, intuitive controls, and general ease of use, the F2 and F2 BT field recorders are ideal for quite a wide audience of potential users. Even those who might not, at first, ever consider a professional-grade recorder like the F2 or F2 BT, might want to now. It's perfect for podcasters, journalists, videographers, and content creators on the move, alike.
What Are Some Downsides That You Need To Consider?
If you've gone this far, you might assume that the Zoom F2 and F2 BT are faultless, but in reality, there are some downsides that you need to consider. So, before you buy one, here are some factors that you need to think about:
High Price Point - For all its many features and clever innovations, the Zoom F2 and F2 BT aren't the most affordable options on the market. Here in the UK, the price does vary (depending on where you're buying it and whether you're able to get it at a discount), but it's listed for around £200. This could be a threshold far too high for some would-be buyers, especially for enthusiasts and newcomers who might not find the need to get a pro-grade field recorder.
Wireless vs Bluetooth - Although Bluetooth functionality does add quite a lot to the Zoom F2 BT, such as timecode synchronisation (making it a very attractive option for videographers) and being able to control the F2 BT remotely from your phone, the one thing that some might want to be wireless (but isn't) is that included lavalier microphone. There are surely many who would value the extra convenience of a wireless lavalier mic that records directly into your camera, which helps to avoid post-production synching.
Mono Recording & Lack Of Gain Controls - Two more things that the Zoom F2 and F2 BT are missing that might be considered as limitations for some users, is the lack of support for stereo recording (it only has mono recording). On top of that, the F2 and F2 BT have no gain controls. This was somewhat intentional, as I mentioned earlier, for optimal ease of use. However, this would still be off-putting for quite a lot of professionals who are used to having a bit more control over their recordings.
So, Should You Consider The Zoom F2 And F2 BT?
In the realm of portable recorders, the Zoom F2 and F2 BT, and mostly led forward by their distinct 32-bit float technology, handily set it apart from the rest. They offer an unparalleled dynamic range that's unrivalled thus far, and they ensure the sharpest and crispest audio quality possible, regardless of which scenario you're recording in. Explosively loud or whisper quiet noises, it'll handle them with no issues.
While that alone is ground-breaking enough, the F2 and F2 BT packages them in a lightweight and small form factor, paired with impressive battery life, and they even include a great lavalier mic in the box. It's definitely not cheap and it might be cost-prohibitive for some, given what it offers, and how it performs, for those who need a reliable audio recording device, the Zoom F2 and F2 BT are worth the investment.
Specs And Details
About the Author - Ross Jukes is a professional Photographer and Videographer with over a decade of experience. Working in both Digital and Analogue formats, Ross has worked with international clients, had his worked published numerous times and exhibited his work extensively. With a passion for all things photographic, Ross combines his experience, enthusiasm and dedication to his art form to create engaging and educational content for the photographic community.