Zoom F1-SP On-Camera Microphone and Recorder, Audio for Video Recorder, Records to SD Card, Outputs to Camera, Battery Powered, Includes Shotgun Microphone

I go the F1-SP, but also ordered the belt clip separately, so that I can use it for lapel audio with a cheap lapel mic. Typically, I find lapel audio to stink, but on a whim I connected my $20 Amazon lapel mic to the Zoom and with the gain pushed up a little to get a good signal, I found the recording to be top notch. Amazing what a difference it makes to have a mic right on someone, versus 5 feet away with a shotgun mic. I'm sure I'll use the shotgun attachment from time to time also, so this device is a total win for me.

I didn't think I would love this as much as I do. Excellent recorder. Build quality is good it feels solid. Does not feel like a plastic toy. Buttons are good and so is the battery door. The best thing is it's small compact size and it's versatility. Using it with a lav mic you can just stick this in your pocket or run your belt through the rails for a more secure fit. The shotgun mic records great. Love the capability to swap out mic capsules. Have the MS capsule on the way.I do feel Zoom should have included the lav mic and belt clip along with this. I bought a lav with screw lock for like $10. The belt clip is a bit tricky. I hope they sell those separately. The screw on the back is NOT a standard 1/4 20. It's way smaller. The shock mount is made well but the application is a little meh. You can only use it with this. 4 arms kinda snap onto the rails. The whole thing bounces around a lot. The recorder turns on quick and it's 1 button press recording similar to the H2N. I'm having fun with it and it is an excellent recorder. Love the versatility. Can't put it down.

I am already a heavily invested fan of Zoom and their amazing products BUT THIS F1 and the shotgun mic that comes with it are PERFECT! This is actually my 2nd F1. I started out with the Tascam model but the display was too small and the button layout was too cumbersome for my “meaty claws”. I will use my F1’s on my clients for my back up audio going forward. Purchasing this product is a wise investment, period!

After using a variety of mics from rodes to off brand mics.. Wow wow wow this zoom mic hands down has been the easiest and best sounding audio quality I've ever used... I love that it can transition into a lav mic as well.

I cannot say enough good things about the Zoom recorder. The sound quality is rich, deep, present, and the rejection is really good. When I purchased it I was expecting the mic to be below the sound quality of the Rode NTG2 but honestly I think it's equal or slightly better. If you aren't getting audio samples like the ones I described check your mic placement. You will honestly never get great audio with the unit mounted to your camera. You need to get it on a boom pole and as close to your talent without being in the frame. If you have it mounted to your camera then you are just recording a higher quality scratch track, or maybe you're just trying to get some good environmental sounds. The ease of the unit is a huge burden off my back and it really makes capturing audio fun again.Here are a few downsides and primarily why I gave it 4 stars. The battery door is poorly constructed and I could see it easily breaking in the future. You will need to baby it. That scares me a little. I do weekly photo and video shoots and durability is very important to me. The micro SD slot isn't in an awful place but from a design perspective it isn't in the best place. The cover opens into the belt buckle rod. Other than that the unit is amazing especially for its price - I ended up buying 2, the shotgun version and the lapel version. I will more than likely buy a few more after I see how these 2 units hold up over the next few months.

Zoom always makes top notch products. This mic is so versatile. Can use it in the studio, or take this outside. You can mic an indidividual.

I want to love it, but the first time I used it, it wouldn’t stop recording or turn off… so I had to let the battery drain. I replaced the batteries, and now it doesn’t turn on :(

This is perfect for recording audio for videos's, pod casts, and interviews. It was easy to set up and figure out how to use.