Product information
The term “Unique” is the right attribute I can give to this Zoom Q8 mini video camera. It has a fisheye type lens with a 160-degree viewing angle. There is also 4x digital zoom but as the lens is a fisheye type, the magnified image gets grainy when zoomed in too much. You can view the video recordings using the camcorder’s integrated 2.7-inch Display.
The audio quality is where this camera shines as it comes with a detachable external microphone unit that has two stereo microphones in it. The camera has two additional ports (XLR/TRS inputs) for extra accessories and 4 tracks of audio recording. The camcorder can be used to live stream content easily.
Bean Lee –
The Zoom Q8 is a solid camera for recording live concerts, offering high-quality video and audio in a portable, versatile package. However, like most devices, it comes with a few minor issues that can be a bit annoying—but nothing that can’t be managed with a bit of planning and know-how.
Issue 1: Battery Life – Not Powered by USB
One of the biggest drawbacks I encountered was the battery life. The camera is not powered by the USB adapter (even when connected to a Zoom AD-17 AC Adapter through the onboard USB port), which caused issues during long recordings. I recently filmed a 10-hour multi-band concert, and at 720p/AAC 320 MOV, the camera crashed about every 2.5 hours. Luckily, I had plenty of fully charged BT-03 batteries with me, so the downtime was minimal. My advice: Plan ahead and bring spare batteries.
Update: After troubleshooting, I discovered that using a long USB cable from the power adapter to the camera was the issue. With a shorter cable and an electrical extension, the camera powered up just fine, lasting for hours without crashing. So, if you’re facing this issue, check your cable length.
Issue 2: Digital Zoom Limitations
While the Zoom Q8 does have a digital zoom function, its performance leaves a lot to be desired. Even at the maximum 1.5x digital zoom, I had trouble getting a clear shot of the stage from about 200 feet away at the soundboard. The wide-angle lens means the camera works best when you’re closer to the action, but getting that close can create issues with the sound field and sound techs who may not want you up there.
Issue 3: The -20dB Pad
The camera’s -20dB pad is set to “off” by default, which can result in noticeable digital distortion at around -12dB on the external XLR inputs. To avoid this, you’ll want to engage the pad for cleaner, more accurate signal levels.
Issue 4: Digital Encoder Volume Controls
The Zoom Q8’s volume control wheels are digital encoders, not traditional potentiometers, which can make fine-tuning audio levels a bit tricky. The controls are very sensitive, and each “tick” on the dial adjusts gain by about 3dB, which may make it difficult to achieve perfect signal balance.
The Good Stuff:
On the positive side, the X/Y microphone setup included with the camera is excellent. Even on a breezy day, there was no noticeable wind noise, thanks to the included foam windscreen. The audio quality—whether recording ambient sound or mixing directly from the board (L/R house mix)—was top-notch. Getting a solid audio mix straight from the camera without splitting channels made the entire recording process much simpler.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, the Zoom Q8 is a fantastic camera for live concert recording, delivering excellent audio and video quality in a compact design. It does have a few quirks—especially around battery life and zoom performance—but with a little preparation, these can be easily worked around. Highly recommended for anyone looking for an all-in-one solution for concert or event recording.