So presumably you’ve owned a Zoom H4n Pro for a while now, and you’re looking to upgrade.
Maybe you’re thinking about starting a podcast, and you’re wondering what recorder you should
buy in order to get started.
No matter what the case may be, in this video we’re going to talk about the Zoom H5.
I’m going to go over what it can, and can’t do, and who should buy it.
As a quick note, I’ve also done a review on the Zoom H6, and I plan on doing more reviews
of the Zoom H series.
If you’re interested, I have a link down below to the playlist, where you can check
them out.
Inputs
The Zoom H5 has two XLR inputs, and a 3.5mm stereo mini-jack input.
Simply put, the XLR inputs are for larger microphones, such as the ones you’d use
on a podcast, or shotgun mics, which are used to record dialogue in film.
The 3.5mm stereo mini-jack input accepts TS, or TRS plugs.
Using the TS plug will give you a mono sound, which is only one track, which will be present
on the left-hand side.
If you connect a TRS plug to it, the Zoom H5 will record a stereo signal.
This is useful if you need to plug in a lavalier mic, in order to record dialogue.
On the Zoom H5, the 3.5mm input can be found on the side of the X/Y microphone capsule.
Bear in mind that your lav mic might require 2.5V plugin power, which the Zoom H5 can provide.
This can be done by going into Menu, In/Out, Plugin Power, and then selecting on.
The same applies to Phantom Power, if you’re using a condenser microphone which needs it.
If you plan on doing journalism, or recording one on one interviews, which would only require
a maximum of two external microphones, the two XLR inputs on the Zoom H5 will suffice.
If you plan on recording a podcast, bear in mind the two microphone limitation.
If you need more inputs, you might want to have a look at the Zoom H6.
Check down below for a link to that video.
Battery Life
According to Zoom, the H5 should be able to run for about 15 hours.
Bear in mind that your mileage may vary, as certain variables, such as whether you’re
using Phantom Power, can affect how long the recorder can go for.
There are many different variables which could potentially affect the battery life of the
device, but the takeaway is that the H5 can record for hours at a time, and It's always
worth carrying some extra batteries with you, just in case.
Given that the zoom H5 takes two AA batteries, packing a few extra should be enough, depending
on what your plans are.
Size & Build
The actual dimensions for the Zoom H5 are 7.77 x 2.63 x 1.66 inches, and it weighs 9.52
oz (269 grams).
Even though it is relatively light, it feels sturdy in the hand, and it looks rather rugged.
You should always treat your equipment with care, but I personally wouldn’t be too worried
about roughing this recorder up a bit.
Portability
The Zoom H5 is very portable, and it comes with a plastic case, that is cushioned, and
compact.
This allows you to safely carry your recorder around, whilst not impeding you if you quickly
need to take it out and record.
Display
When it comes to its display, the H5 has as a backlit LCD screen.
This is great if you’re recording in low light conditions.
If you’re mounting the recorder on a DSLR, the position of the screen could be better,
and as I’ve said in my Zoom H6 video, manufacturers should start including swivel screens with
future iterations of these recorders, as that would make them a lot more versatile.
Sound Quality
In regards to noise, the Zoom H5 has the same preamps as the Zoom H6.
No major differences between the two, though they both sound much better than the older
Zoom H4n Pro, especially in regards to self noise.
When it comes to pre-amps, neither of them are as good as the Sony PCM-D100, though the
Sony device does not have XLR inputs, and in either case, the Zoom H5 and Zoom H6 have
better pre-amps than the Zoom H4n Pro.
Simply put, when recording quieter sounds, there is less hiss produced as a byproduct
when you pump up the gain, compared to the older H4n Pro.
If we’re talking about technical specs, the Zoom H5 can do four-track simultaneous
recording, and it can record at up to 24bit/96kHz.
If you’re recording voice, all you need is 24bit/48kHz, but if you want to record
some sound effects, being able to do so at 96kHz would offer you more flexibility during
post production.
Whilst the Zoom H5 does not offer any built-in storage, it can record directly to SD and
SDHC cards up to 32GB in size.
Even if you’re recording at 96kHz, that’s a lot of space for your recordings.
If you’re recording a stereo track, at 24bit/48kHz, 32GB should in theory allow you to record
about 2000 minutes, or 33 hours.
Modularity
Unlike on the Zoom H4n Pro, the Zoom H5 is modular.
The X/Y microphone at the top can be easily removed, and replaced with quite a few different
types of microphones, as easily as you would swap out a camera lens.
As an added bonus, most of these capsules are also compatible with the Zoom H6.
Down below I have a link to all the products I’ve talked about in this video, including
a list of the modular microphones you can attach to the Zoom H5.
Versatility
Not only can the H5 be used as a field recorder, but you can also use it as an audio interface
for your computer.
All you need to do is connect it to your computer or laptop via a USB cable, and set it up.
Wind Protection
If you have to record outdoors, which might be the case if you're a journalist, field
recordist, sound effects recordist, if you're recording a live band, or more, the foam windshield
that comes with the recorder will prove itself to be rather unhelpful.
It's great when recording indoors, but any real gust of wind will make the recording
unusable.
Luckily, Rycote sells a three-in-one solution for the Zoom H5.
A grip, by which you can hold the recorder, a shock mount which basically eliminates handling
noise, and a good quality windshield, which will protect the microphone from wind, though
very strong winds might still affect the microphone.
Levels
The Zoom H5 has a metal bar which makes it difficult to accidentally change the input
levels.
I quite like this, as there is a physical barrier preventing you from accidentally changing
anything, which could happen on other recorders.
If you know you're likely to accidentally hit, or run your hand over the recorder and
change the levels, this might be something to take into consideration.
Conclusion
So, should you buy it?
The Zoom H5 is modular, rugged, and versatile, with great sound quality and dual XLR inputs.
If that’s all you need, the Zoom H5 would be a great investment.
That being said, if you think you might one day need to plug in a few extra microphones,
it's worth spending a little bit of extra money and getting the Zoom H6.
If you’d like to purchase any of the items I’ve mentioned in this video, or see how
much they cost in your country, I have a link down below where you can view all of them.
Thank you very much for watching.
Don’t forget to leave a like, subscribe, and hit that bell, and I’ll see you next
time.
B-bye!