Zoom Q3 Handy Video Recorder brings high-quality audio to pocket camcorder

One of the drawbacks of those ubiquitous pocket camcorders -- like the Flip Mino HD -- is the lackluster audio that gets captured by tiny built-in microphones.  The new Zoom Q3 Handy Video Recorder aims to change all that, by bringing high-quality HD audio recording to a pocket-friendly camcorder.  In fact, Zoom's parent company, Samson Technologies, is a pioneering audio technology company that makes professional recording equipment.

The Zoom Q3 includes two directional stereo condenser microphones that can capture 24-bit/48kHz audio. Since sites like YouTube allow files with CD-quality (i.e., 44.1kHz) audio, you'll still see a benefit even if all you do is upload videos to the Web.

Unfortunately, though, only the audio is HD quality, since the camcorder itself only records at 640x480, 30fps. The large 2.4-inch, 320x240 LCD is a nice touch, as is its ability to accept up to 32GB SDHC cards for up to 16 hours of video (a 2GB SD card comes bundled for 1 hour of video). The 2-inch LCD and 8GB maximums of the Flip Video camcorders, for example, don't measure up.  Still, at a retail price of $249, I'd like to see 720p video recording.

[Via Engadget]