Introduction:As a hobbyist filmmaker, I was excited to test out the Zoom F3 Professional Field Recorder. This product promised to deliver high-quality recordings with exceptional clarity and precision, and I was eager to put it to the test. Here is my in-depth review of this product.First Impressions:The Zoom F3 Professional Field Recorder is well-designed and feels extremely durable. The device is super compact and lightweight, making it perfect for on-the-go recording.Design and Build Quality:The Zoom F3 Professional Field Recorder has a sleek and modern design that looks great in any recording environment. The build quality is exceptional, and the device feels sturdy and long-lasting.Features and Performance:- 32-bit float recording provides exceptional clarity and precision.- Dual AD converters ensure accurate and reliable recordings.- 2 locking XLR/TRS inputs provide flexibility and ease of use.- Battery-powered and wireless control makes it convenient for on-the-go recording.User Experience:Overall, my experience using the Zoom F3 Professional Field Recorder has been fantastic. The device is easy to use and provides high-quality recordings with exceptional clarity and precision. The dual AD converters and locking XLR/TRS inputs ensure accurate and reliable recordings and the battery-powered and wireless control features make it perfect for on-the-go recording. And the 32-bit float recording is amazing when utilizing a compatible DAW.Pros:- 32-bit float recording provides exceptional clarity and precision.- Dual AD converters ensure accurate and reliable recordings.- 2 locking XLR/TRS inputs provide flexibility and ease of use.- Battery-powered and wireless control makes it convenient for on-the-go recording.- Exceptional build quality.Cons:- The price point may be a bit high for some users.Value for Money:Despite its higher price point, I believe that the Zoom F3 Professional Field Recorder provides excellent value for money. The exceptional build quality, 32-bit float recording, and dual AD converters ensure accurate and reliable recordings that are essential for professional filmmakers.Conclusion:The Zoom F3 Professional Field Recorder is an excellent choice for anyone seeking professional-grade audio recording capabilities. The device's 32-bit float recording, dual AD converters, and locking XLR/TRS inputs provide exceptional clarity and precision, and the battery-powered and wireless control features make it perfect for on-the-go recording. Despite its higher price point, I highly recommend this product for professional filmmakers seeking the best audio quality.Additional Tips:Invest in high-quality microphones and XLR cables to get the most out of the Zoom F3 Professional Field Recorder. Consider using headphones to monitor audio levels and ensure the best quality recordings. And utilize Zoom's website if you plan to use the 32-bit float recording, as not all DAWs are compatible.

Built like a tank, but compact. The interface and menus are intuitive. The screen is small but clear and adequate for the job. The sonic quality of the recording is excellent—transparent, very low noise floor. An affordable, high quality 32-bit float recorder.

The Zoom F3 Professional Field Recorder is an excellent choice for those looking for high-quality sound in a compact package. With two XLR inputs and very low self-noise, it delivers clear and professional audio. The standout feature is its 32-bit float recording, which handles a wide range of sound levels, making post-production a breeze.The build quality is solid with a mix of metal and plastic, ensuring durability without adding extra weight. Power efficiency is another plus; it runs for over six hours on just two AA batteries. However, be aware that it doesn't have traditional gain controls and lacks 3.5mm inputs, which might be a downside for some. Overall, it's a fantastic tool for solo operators and those needing a portable yet powerful audio recorder.

I was an early adopter of this little gem, so I've had plenty of time to become familiar with it. The sound quality is impeccable and the 32-bit float feature avoids any need to set or monitor levels during a recording session - a huge benefit - and also matches the native format of some popular post-processing software. The unit is super-portable, seems rugged, and has what I would consider an ideal set of features for its intended use - nothing superfluous to take up extra space or drive up the price. Its main limitation is, of course, it offers only two inputs (no Decca trees allowed). Also need to be aware of its 10mA phantom max, both channels combined - many mics draw less than 5mA each, but some require as much as 10mA. I wondered initially whether the dual A/D converters would cause audible artifacts when transitioning between loud and soft, but so far have noticed no such problems. We need to be careful when picking it up, because the door over the memory card pops open when accidentally touched, ejecting the card - especially bad if the unit is on at the time. It can be mounted right on the mic stand using the handy little clamp at https://smile.amazon.com/ChromLives-Photography-Converter-Umbrellas-Shelves/dp/B07F72MS8Y/ref=sr_1_18?crid=C6N6J6278DHN&keywords=camera%2Bclamp%2Bmount&qid=1648163240&refinements=p_36%3A-1500&rnid=386442011&sprefix=camera%2Bclamp%2Bmount%2Caps%2C115&sr=8-18&th=1 which permits short mic cables. Highly recommended, if you don't need extra channels!

My primary use for this recorder is for capturing dialog or ambient sounds while video recording. For my purposes it works fine. The 1/4 20 mounting options gives some flexibility for mounting with my rig or separately on a stand via magic arm or cold shoe, etc. Its a little tricky to mount on a boom pole just given the flat sides and back - it tends to want to slide around unless it is really locked down - but that can be challenging given the location of the controls and the xlr jacks. Not a big deal, just mentioning it in case someone is thinking about strapping it on to a boom pole.The menus are easy enough to use. The memory card is easy enough to get to. Battery life has been fine - doesn’t seem to be too power hungry. The sound quality is great! Love being able to just start recording without having to worry about the levels being too hot…that is super helpful. I’ve had no problems syncing up with audio recorded from the cameras just using a good clap (or three claps) at each take. Davinci Resolve syncs the clips perfectly…as expected. Having external 48v power has come in handy also…love that feature for when it is needed. In summary…Small size, nice features, great sound, ease of use, make this one a winner in my book.

The media could not be loaded.

When my Zoom H5 finally starting showing signs of dying after many years of sterling service, I upgraded to this F3, having read great things about 32 bit recording. And it's all true, you can set and forget the level. Some would say you don't even need to set, but you can set a ballpark to tweak level. I prefer to set it a little hot then bring it down after the fact, as my environment isn't perfectly sound treated, and while the device has an incredibly low noise floor, my room does not.The form factor takes getting used to after using an H5 which fits nicely in the hand, while this is a little cube type thing that would be awkward if it was bigger. But it isn't, so you can handle it however. It's small enough to attach to a camera with a coldshoe if you like, or screw on to a magic arm, or it's own tripod, it has belt loops, you can attach it that way. Or just drop it a big jacket pocket. Whatever works for you.Battery life seems longer than the H5, and if it isn't long enough, you can run it off one of those portable usb power banks.Pricewise it seems competitive, though keep in mind that it doesn't have built in mics or a mic capsule like the H5. I've seen images of field recordists sticking a pair of small tubular mics into the xlr jacks, but if you don't have the mics already, the cost of a complete solution around the f3 could be significantly more than for an H5 using its stereo capsule mics.My only real disappointment with it is that it doesn't display the file name when recording. I used to include that in the slate.Not much to complain about. At the end of the day it's a question of shopping around and getting the best price. I'm happy buying from amazon as I've found it very easy to return things if I'm not satisfied, and that being the case, you can buy it, check it out yourself, and if it doesn't knock your socks off, send it back -- they pay shipping. Doesn't get any fairer than that.Edit: Also consider the H4essential, a 32 bit version of the old H4. It has the mic capsule, though I've read its preamps are not as good as the F3. But if you're on a budget, a field recorder that comes with mics for a similar price might be worth considering.

This is a super simple, super compact machine for my stereo rig. Love it!

Lo uso para cine documental, en el cual conecto un MKE600. Obtengo sonido limpio. Me encanta.

Excelente grabadora y muy compacta, con sus 32bits hace que sea muy fácil su uso, sólo encender y grabar y te olvidas de preocupaciones