Zoom somehow always manage to pack a lot of functionality into their high-quality portable products, but with this pair of portable recorders they’ve gone exceptionally compact — they’re Zoom’s smallest, lightest recorders yet, and include a lavalier mic and windscreen. They’re aimed at a range of ‘creators’ from musicians and podcasters to YouTubers, interviewers and reporters.
The F2 and F2-BT are almost identical — both have a high-precision internal clock (±0.5ppm) but the BT stands for Bluetooth, which the latter model uses for wireless Timecode synchronisation, and which also allows remote connection to the F2 control app. The app allows you to adjust settings and control transport functions.
Both feature a stereo 1/8-inch mic/line minijack input with 2.5V plug-in power and a stereo 1/8-inch headphone/line output jack, with a dedicated volume control. They record to micro SD and SDHC cards (up to 512GB cards are supported) at 44.1 or 48 kHz, and benefit from the same 32-bit floating-point recording that’s used in Zoom’s larger F6. 32-bit float makes a lot of sense in location-recording products like this, especially those aimed at less technically minded recordists, since the huge dynamic range means you don’t have to be careful with gain settings to avoid clipping. With that, the 80Hz high-pass filter, and the record-hold function that prevents you accidentally disengaging recording, these should be perfect for podcasters on the move, or reporters and interviewers in unpredictable environments.
Zoom say the recorders will run for up to 15 hours on two standard AAA batteries, but it will also accept power from lithium or NiMH rechargeable batteries, or an AC adaptor. You can connect the F2 via USB-C to a PC or Mac and use the F2 Editor app to adjust settings, format SD cards and more. The USB-C connection also allows you to transfer files to your computer for editing, either in the bundled software or in your DAW of choice.
The F2 is set to sell for around £170 including VAT, while the Bluetooth-enabled FT-BT will set you back just over £210. Click below to watch Zoom's introductory video.
