Is this $250 Webcam/Microphone worth it? | Definitive Guide for the Zoom Q2n 4k

4k resolution is not a measure of image quality, as proven by this camera and many others.
Where to find it: amzn.to/3nQJUKn
Zoom's Q2n is a camera, webcam and microphone that few people have seen, reviewed or talked about - outside of musicians. With a company known for premium audio, does this camera/microphone combo hold up? Would it be a good webcam for streaming or online meetings with Microsoft Teams or Zoom?
In this video, I'll walk through the core capabilities and features of the Zoom Q2n, and show its various video and audio modes, adjustable field of view and more, so you can decide if it's worth the MSRP of $250.
Where to find the camera (affiliate):
-US- amzn.to/3nQJUKn
-UK- amzn.to/3ZCGEmv
-DE- amzn.to/3K8Lv98
-CA- amzn.to/40DVFG2
What I film with and use on my daily Microsoft Teams calls:
Shure MV7 microphone:
-US- amzn.to/3EZzqQA
-UK- amzn.to/3GdJjfA
-DE- amzn.to/3ZJ9gdW
-CA- amzn.to/3K7ZtrI
Shure SM7B pop filter:
-US- amzn.to/39lhjc5
Sony A7 II:
-US- amzn.to/3OQxSgj
-UK- amzn.to/40Cx04t
-DE- amzn.to/3ZQwQWd
-CA- amzn.to/42ULU7X
Samyang 35mm F1.8 AF Full Frame lens:
-US- amzn.to/3MJGZOf
-UK- amzn.to/3U5NsrJ
-DE- amzn.to/3zrrC8k
-CA- amzn.to/3K77Eob
Sony ZV-E10 camera:
-US- amzn.to/3K95swp
-UK- amzn.to/42ULwX3
-DE- amzn.to/3GfCslF
-CA- amzn.to/3MaPWCU
Viltrox 23mm F1.4 AF lens:
-US- amzn.to/41dgCaL
-UK- amzn.to/3ztaJdE
-DE- amzn.to/3U0Jb8Q
-CA- amzn.to/3M9Yzha
Ring light:
-US- amzn.to/4aEdEka
Softbox diffuser:
-US- amzn.to/3vDQLfb
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to the Zoom Q2n 4K
01:38 Tour of Zoom Q2n buttons, ports and controls
02:30 Demonstration and footage of all 12 video modes
08:31 Demonstration and spoken audio capture sample of the audio modes
09:59 Overall thoughts of the Zoom Q2n 4k
#zoom #microsoftteams #streaming

[@zurab9]

The best review! I was going to buy Logitech brio and I decided to by Zoom Q2n after watching this. I am a jazz guitar musician from Brooklyn, NY. Thank you!

[@bgatovlife]

Excellent video, all modes are shown in detail, and without empty conversations.

[@ryanybos]

Awesome review video on the Zoom Q2n 4K Jeremy. All my questions about features, especially the auto gain feature, were answered and you did a great job showing pro's & con's with no post processing. Thank You for helping me make my decision about buying one and for your time making the video.

[@DeployJeremy]

Glad it was helpful! Camera didn't do quite as well as I had hoped, but the audio story is pretty good.

[@shanezveganess5969]

This camera was very clearly reviewed and demonstrated in your video content, thank you.

[@edcastrotpt]

Great review, thank you for the information.

[@DeployJeremy]

Thank you. Glad it helped!

[@helmanfrow]

That constant BG music is a little crazy-making.

[@freddyjisp9420]

It's ridiculous to review a mic and have music playing in the bg. Not a reflection of intelligence

[@jameskeough4620]

Exactly.

[@jeromemartel9913]

Well done, great video!

[@DeployJeremy]

Thank you very much!

[@AliDaniali]

Well done and useful video

[@DeployJeremy]

Thank you!

[@TacticalTupperware]

Yes it is worth it. I’ve been using it to teach private and group guitar lessons since 2020. Wish the video quality was a bit better in webcam mode but the audio is perfect.

[@THEJMILLSBAND]

I am looking at this to do some Band rehersals which will later post to FB. I know the audio isexcepcional. Awesome Video Thank You :-)

[@michaelandmandydobney800]

Thank You , great vid

[@DeployJeremy]

Glad it helped

[@tom_hengst]

Good Presentation. But when presenting the audio modes, you should move a little left and right. That is probably where the audio modes are working differently.

[@jdjk7]

Very helpful video. I'm not a camera person, i'm a musician who wants a camera/recorder I can use to make videos. Also, something that's probably worth mentioning, if it hasn't already been, is that the video communications software Zoom and the makers of this camera Zoom are different and unrelated companies.

[@donhagerman4868]

Thanks! 🙂 👍

[@keefjunior4061]

Saved me some money! Thanks!

[@DeployJeremy]

Glad to hear that. It's not a great camera

[@krishnansrinivasan830]

Awesome & Thanks :)

[@DeployJeremy]

Glad you liked it 🙂

[@davidrichmusic121]

I think it was a really well presented informative video Jeremy. The only thing i can't get the usb to work the webcam I have a date transfer cable capability but doesn't work not picked up in settings on laptop had another webcam nexigo works fine

[@DeployJeremy]

Thank you and glad you liked it. You do need to switch modes in the camera to webcam mode. At that point maximum resolution is 1080p as I recall

[@davidrichmusic121]

@@DeployJeremy Hi what I have now found is you can have usb for webcam mode but you also have to battery power. I use a power pack but there is only one outlet so I suppose the only solution is to have the AA batteries inside the camera to free up the connector for the usb. The cannot supply power and connectivity together which is a bit of a mess about time wise. Just hope the camera itself is ok haven't fully tested

[@DeployJeremy]

@@davidrichmusic121 I don't remember having to have batteries in it for the webcam mode, but I'll dig it back up and test it again.

[@DeployJeremy]

Just confirmed with mine. I removed batteries, connected to USB, had to hold down the X button to see the USB charging icon on the camera screen to turn it on, then the audio button to choose 1080p, then record button to start. The camera display then turns off, but Windows sees it at 1080p. Camera display will keep running if you choose 720p. It's as grainy as I remember. I was also able to start with the batteries in it, then remove them while it was running.

[@DeployJeremy]

There is a chance that we are both on different firmware versions, too.

[@mullydoesmusic-ishstuff5506]

The X in x-process is short for “cross.” Back in the film days and esp around the late 1990s and early 2000s (though it goes back to the 70s or 80s) photographers would get a very graphic or almost other worldly look by processing negative film in slide film chemicals or vice versa. This became known as cross processing or x-processing for short. Also I noticed but you never directly mentioned that although there are fov setting you never lose that wide angle look that is characterized by a big nose and disappearing ears. Which makes sense because it’s a fixed focal length lens, the lens itself isn’t zooming, the software is cropping in.

[@RobAbfallDrums]

thank you for the review as well, ...my Wife has a nice Sony camera that I bought her a few years ago 5100, never gets used...I want to get back into doing some drum videos, would the Zoom camera be better to use for that or should I just use her Sony? I have a Zoom L20 mixer

[@DeployJeremy]

Honestly I would use the video from the a5100 and sync it with your best mic's audio

[@Dr.OSIFOF]

Great job @Jeremy! I’m interested in capturing random onscreen scenes while in front of TV or computer. How good is this device for screen-facing captures?

[@DeployJeremy]

The footage from this camera is always pretty grainy, I'd spend a little more and get a mirrorless APS-C camera or if you have a newer iPhone or Samsung Galaxy, use that with a tripod. With the phone, you might need a third-party microphone, but it'll be better footage.

[@Dr.OSIFOF]

@@DeployJeremy I appreciate your feedback. Thanks 👍

[@ulizarembach3747]

Hello! Please, which cable do you use for connecting as a webcam? Micro-USB at the cam is well known. But the opponent side...??? USB 2 ???

[@DeployJeremy]

I believe the spec is USB 2.0, which explains the 1080p 30fps bandwidth. Aber bin nicht 100% sicher 😉

[@awesomeblessings9659]

I own the camera and tried everything to remove grainy look. Nothing works unless you have bright lights both in front and behind the subject. I find most cellphones are working better.

[@DeployJeremy]

It wants sunlight. Most of the indoor live music venues I've been to would produce extreme graininess. I added lights to my already well lit room to make this video.

[@awesomeblessings9659]

@@DeployJeremy agreed, I have a 3 camera shoot and 6 lights setup, 4 front 2 back. But if room is dim and no walls to reflect, still grainy see here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gISznn6AaJmrg8k

[@DeployJeremy]

@@awesomeblessings9659 yikes. Was the side shot the Q2n?

[@awesomeblessings9659]

@@DeployJeremy Q2n was all 3 angles

[@she_sings_delightful_things]

Same. My phone works best, Samsung Galaxy S10+. Sounds great, too, love instruments AND vocals for full band

[@WilliamTallman]

May have been a good review but I had to bail, (had to check my stove and outside, twice to make sure some kind of alarm wasn't going off) after 3 minutes of the BG "drone muzak" .

[@dennyspinks3582]

I do a lot of in person interviews with bands at venues. Would this be a nice solution than using an SLR that is big and bulky?

[@DeployJeremy]

I would primarily use it as a microphone. The camera footage will be pretty grainy, so you're be better off using an iPhone or good Android phone for camera footage, if you want to stay on the compact and inexpensive side.

[@leslieviljoen]

I like this camera but when using it as a webcam the graininess in low light levels is a constant problem. It's pretty grainy even in normal daylight - light levels where my cellphone camera is perfectly fine.

[@DeployJeremy]

Yes, it's pretty grainy. I was using a lot of light, too.

[@stevedulong]

Can this cam be good to film a concert in a big place like madison square garden and have great sound ? I'm going to see the scorpions next week and was thinking of buying this cam to film the concert . Thank you and have a nice day .

[@DeployJeremy]

I would get a camera that works better in low light, like a mirrorless proper camera with auxiliary microphone. Low light performance with this one isn't its strong suit. Audio would turn out OK though with the Zoom. Option B would be to use your smartphone with auxiliary microphone.

[@stevedulong]

@@DeployJeremy thank you

[@TroyCastellano]

does this camera do the depth of field effect (subject in focus, background blurred)?

[@DeployJeremy]

No, it does not. Just the effects I demonstrated. A few video editing tools can add that.

[@TroyCastellano]

Thanks for the reply!

[@TSTrecords]

How does music sound comin thru the camera

[@DeployJeremy]

It's optimized for the audio pickup, so the music sound should be decent depending on location of the mic

[@ronaldgilbertbaker5259]

Thanks for the review. I ordered the product before I saw the review. When I received it and did all of the tests that you did, it was clear that there's more hype to this product and substance. The price was dropped from $249 to $199 for a reason. You should expect a Black Magic 4K camera for this price but for all of the ingenious engineering and design, it just doesn't give you what the advertising would have you to believe. I've been in video production since the 1980's and I only use high-end equipment. But I'm always looking for something that lessens the load and increases the workflow and I'm just a tech junkie. So this new shiny device caught my attention and I fell for the hype. The 4K feature is close to 720p and not the 720p you get on KZbin. It's noisy regardless of the filter you use or the mode you put it in. It's not 4K folks. I could not in good conscience back a product that's not worth the money and doesn't match the promotion designed to sell it. I got the unit on this past Saturday and I started the return process Monday morning. The price seems too good to be true and it's still $100 more than it's worth in my opinion. Stick to being a great audio product company Zoom until you get a handle on this venture into video. It's messing with your reputation for quality.

[@DeployJeremy]

It's a very noisy image for sure, even when capturing to SD media. The filters help a little, but more could have been done to process out the noise.

[@she_sings_delightful_things]

I appreciate his honest review and your informative comment!

[@petrmoczek]

What is your suggestion for an affordable alternative?

[@DeployJeremy]

@@petrmoczek I just got a Movo all in one webcam with built in ring light. It's got the best built in microphone by far for a webcam. Camera isn't incredible, but passable and it's only $50 now on Amazon (used to be $140). Review coming soon.

[@Andoroid]

I've seen numerous videos from drummers using it and the majority work perfectly in their lighting circumstances Not as well as other cameras of course but for the price range it seems reasonable if you want a good audio and decent quality from 720p-1080 30fps. I think rather than the camera being overpriced it's just misleading at most. Though I will say I don't care about 4k as much as most others, so I guess it just depends on what you're looking to use it for

[@Gulsha22]

Please make a comparison video with Iphone 13/I13 pro. I already own this device and I recorded several gigs of mine. Audio is surely much better than android mobiles but not sure how it performs in comparison to Iphone 13/13 pro

[@DeployJeremy]

I have an iPhone 12 Pro. Is that close enough?

[@Gulsha22]

@@DeployJeremy yess close enough.. Would be fair to record on your iphone & zoom Q2n 4k and see how it sounds in both

[@markf8819]

Hey I haven't been able to find if you can connect this to obs and go live of this

[@markf8819]

For context i have to live stream a wedding and I need a camera to capture the crowd and general crowd noise

[@DeployJeremy]

You can. I recorded this video into OBS. It sees the camera.

[@markf8819]

@@DeployJeremy alright thx man one more question is it plug and play or do I need an atem switcher or elgato camlink

[@DeployJeremy]

@@markf8819 it's plug and play over USB. No Cam Link or HDMI conversion is necessary.

[@DeployJeremy]

One more thing to note is that maximum resolution over USB is 1080p 30fps

[@johnsharpe734]

Great detail, but too much for me, I'm primarily a performer who wants to produce a demo.

[@mimidishman2751]

I’m a worship leader for a small church. ( small room Too) We stream live on fb with an iPhone lol. Looking for a low cost option but so we can have better sound. Could we control this from a laptop but have it on a tripod to live stream on FB and would we need an Irig too?

[@DeployJeremy]

The camera on your iPhone is a lot better than this one. I would get a tripod for the iPhone and a better microphone setup in your case. This one sounds pretty decent and is rated at 100m amzn.to/44FFt8c. I didn't love the cheaper Ulanzi J12 model and its range wasn't great. I think you'll need to spend at least $70 for an acceptable Lightning to 2 wireless microphone set. 8h battery life is probably optimistic, but even if you get 5 hours per charge and need to use 1 microphone at a time, it's very good.

[@DeployJeremy]

By the way, using Continuity Camera on macOS (free) or Elgato Epoccam on Windows ($7 one time charge) also allows you to use the iPhone as a webcam on Mac and PC. If your iPhone is an iPhone 11 or newer, it will create a better image than most webcams

[@yising4u2qt]

How do you transfer to KZbin?

[@DeployJeremy]

If you're recording to SD media, you'd need to edit the video in a video editor, then upload. If you're using as a webcam over USB, then I would recommend using OBS to capture the video, then most likely you'll still want to edit it before uploading to KZbin

[@lostcrow]

Listening to this via headphones... the audio sounds very strange

[@daddyjankie]

What kind of camera do you use?

[@DeployJeremy]

Normally I use a Sony ZV-E10 with Viltrox 23mm F1.4 AF lens. I think for that video I was using my Sony A7

[@daddyjankie]

@@DeployJeremy thanks so much for the info, your videos are looking great 👍

[@idaho_rex]

Can you strip the audio from the video?

[@DeployJeremy]

You can for sure in your video editor, but I didn't find a way for audio only capture mode in the camera. I may have missed that.

[@jameskeough4620]

Thx for the well-done vid. However, I'd prefer NOT to have the background "music". You really don't need it and it's distracting to me, at least.

[@camillec1541]

Who cares!

[@duaneyoutbe]

he hasn’t even seen one in person. He hasn’t even had HIS very own hands on one.

[@DeployJeremy]

He doesn't understand your comment...

[@Call_Me_Mom]

Thank you. I saw an ad for this and was wondering about what the different fields of view would look like. Because the distortion is quite noticeable.

[@Teamcurtisbjj]

I’ve found that zoom products are all underwhelming. I haven’t been happy with the two items of theirs I’ve purchased. DJI however has continually outperformed my highest expectations.

[@DeployJeremy]

I can see that, especially when it comes to video, but also audio recently.

[@GarryNichols]

Wow.Poor quality audio. Such a shame for channel focused on audio.

[@DeployJeremy]

I don't entirely disagree with you, but I used the microphone from the Zoom Q2n for the entire video on purpose, because it's a microphone first and foremost with a camera added to it.

[@GarryNichols]

@@DeployJeremy I have this microphone. It's fine. It would have been better if you posted without the music and post processing.

[@DrLightWind]

Without the frequency range of the microphone it is no use for me the Zoom Q2n-4k. Because for didgeridoo playing you need to have a low frequency range. Spill the bin, enquiring mind wants to know!

[@DeployJeremy]

Righto. Fair dinkum feedback. Zoom doesn't even publish that mate. They should, it's not like this mic is cheap as chips.

[@THESUPERNATURALFILES]

short version = bought one and they are rubbish with the exception of the sound. Little point in of a whole array of fancy video features when non of which does particularly well. For the price it's terrible. Forget the form factor, you would be better off buying a used phone + stand (rechargeable too) with 4K capabilities and good sound for this purpose and a webcam with excellent quality than this well below-average rubbish.

[@DeployJeremy]

All true. The microphone is its strength, camera not so much.

[@THESUPERNATURALFILES]

@@DeployJeremy this guy I fully agree with = kzbin.info/www/bejne/ap6wiJ6Xm7erd7s

[@mataasita7]

bad Audio

[@DeployJeremy]

I used the Zoom Q2n 4K microphone that I was reviewing for the entire video's audio capture.

[@petercane6376]

I had to turn this video off as all the clutter and background racket did my head in.

[@DeployJeremy]

Thanks for commenting and watching

[@davidrichmusic121]

I think it was going on in your head it was a good informative video