Episode 44: Tascam DR100 Mark II and Zoom H4n Compared

March 21, 2012

in Audio,Gear,Podcast Episodes,Reviews

Disclaimer: I was given this item for free in exchange for a review. But like all my reviews I am being as objective as possible.

I have been using the H4n for as long as I have been shooting on HDSLRs. It has taken good care of me and I have not had any major problems with it. So if people think I am being unfair to the H4n they should also try the Tascam DR100… They might find themselves picking one up. Even though the H4n has become the most used audio recorder by HDSLR shooters, I believe the DR100 MkII has a serious edge on it.

Quicktime File.

Gear Mentioned:

Tascam DR100 MkII

Zoom H4n

 

 

Related content:

  1. Episode 43: Nikkor Lens Guide – Adapting Nikon to Canon and Other Camera Mounts
  2. Episode 30: Micro Muffs For DSLR Microphones
  3. Episode 45: Pearstone LP-E6 Battery Charger Review
  4. Episode 016: T3i Review with Zoom Footage
  5. Episode 48: Vello 9 Inch Video Monitor

Tagged as: Audio, H4n, Tascam DR100 mkII, Zoom

  • http://stevesigloo.tumblr.com/ Steve Wood

    Great review, one of your best.  Very detailed and structure has improved a lot.  Keep it up – Thanks!

  • http://www.learningdslrvideo.com Dugdale

    Another great review Caleb. I might have to try that one too.

  • Jay Windland

    Nice objective review. Two questions: With the line out on either of these units, do you have any leveling control so you can feed a DSLR a hot enough signal to turn down the camera’s crappy preamps and get a strong and clean signal in the camera? I shoot a lot of interviews that get sent off as raw footage to an agency, so it needs to be single system, but would love to have the backup and headphone monitoring of an external recorder. Also, any thoughts on the DR-40 now that it has the new firmware upgrade?

  • http://www.facebook.com/zwilliamson1 Zack Williamson

    Interesting review, I’m surprised that the DR100 MKII doesn’t have 4-ch when the far less expensive DR-40 does. The build quality of the DR-40 is plasticy, but it does 4-ch recording, has locking XLR inputs, and a recent firmware upgrade allows for individual XLR levels. All for $160. I originally bought a H2n, but realized how crucial XLR inputs are for using decent external mics. I like the redundancy of the H2n and the DR-40 and all of the features they each have, but if the H4n is out of your price range, the DR-40 is a clear winner at nearly half the price.

  • publicstate

    Great Review!  I have a DR100… and have sometimes second-guessed not getting the h4n… 

    This has further affirmed my getting a second DR100… I concur with your overall summary and found it to be a fair, balanced review.  Thanks!

  • http://twitter.com/michaschmidt Michael

    nice review mate! … yep the DR100mkII is one of the best in terms of build quality and buttons in that price area … i did go for the DR40 cuz of the 4tack recording, the XLR/TRS Combo Jack inputs and the X-Y/A-B microphone option  … really solid as well and i did get 4 hours ( an a bit more) recoding time with 48V phantom a powered Mic with 3 eneloop AA’s :)  … oh and the locked inputs are just super cool … (on the DR40 and DR100mkII)

  • http://twitter.com/TRStudios Thomas Roberts

    Hey Caleb, this was an excellent review. Do you have a master still shot of the H4n and where its located in proximity of you? TR

  • http://www.facebook.com/nitsan.simantov Nitsan Simantov

    great review!

  • NathanDavidHall

    As a DR100 owner here’s a couple of things to note…. if you’re planning on using this with a rode video mic pro the 3.5mm input is line level only and is incapable of getting a decent level from it. I wish there was a menu option to change the input to mic level but there isn’t.  
    Another thing that I found to be problematic is the Unidirectional mics stick up just slightly over the top of the body and I managed to break the little plastic mic covering after about 3 days of owning it. I’m not even rough on my gear. It’s just a flimsy design. Other then those 2 things I think it’s a great device. 

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/OMEW2PJIVSGN5DNIXRGAR6QDYY Patrick

    Check out this review of the Zoom H4n…
     http://www.martin-doppelbauer.de/fieldrecorder/distortions.html
    also see a review of a bunch of field recorders
    http://www.avisoft.com/recordertests.htm

  • Jonas

    Have you tested the line out into a DSLR? I think the DSLRs all have MIC input and not line, do they? This’d be a real bummer, because beside the dial this’s be the best function!

  • Paul Kagawa

    Caleb, nice review.  Have you checked to see if sync holds for long-form video (1 hour+)?  I had a Tascam DR-40, but the sync drifted a lot more than the H4n and couldn’t use it for long shoots.  (My test results are here:  http://wp.me/p2gorK-1I)  If you or anyone who has one can run a test I’d be interested to know if the DR100 MKII drifts as much as the DR-40.

  • Dave Navarro

     I have to agree with the plug for the DR-40. It has 4-ch, XLR and 1/4 inputs. I upgraded from a Zoom H1 and I’m very happy with the DR-40.  If they do make a DR-40 MKII, I’d love to see the separate headphone/line-out and the wheels for levels.

  • Piitsi

    A kind of a silly comment, but your camera angles distract me. Too much room above the head and almost looks like a high angle that makes you look up to the camera. Good info anyways!

  • Peter La

    I just bought it off Amazon based off this review. It’s 15% off right now so it was $240 shipped. I was leaning towards the H4n because of the 4-channel mode, but the price and this review tipped me over. Even amazon only has 1 customer review vs the hundreds of reviews for the H4n.

  • Chrishubbard92

    Hey Caleb, I like your videos but I end up not watching some of them, or not finishing them, because they’re too long. Just thought I’d share my 2 cents. Thanks for all the knowledge you put out there thought! :]

  • http://dslrvideoshooter.com calebpike

    Thanks for the suggestion!

  • Peter La

    I just wanted to let you all know that I dropped the DR-100mkii attached to a 6ft high mic boom and it fell right on its face twice. It survived both drops, but with quite a few scratches here and there. 

    On a side note, don’t let untrained people help break down your equipment. And don’t let the crew get drunk on the set.

  • Chrisr

    Hey Caleb love the reviews, awesome, length doesn’t matter to me especially if you’re talking about gear that interests me so the longer the better.

  • Divineworld

    I would like to get an answer for this question!

  • http://dslrvideoshooter.com calebpike

    No I haven’t yet. But its on the to do list.

  • Nick Q.

    On the show, do you use the built-in mics on the h4n or an external mic that is plugged into the recorder?

  • http://dslrvideoshooter.com calebpike

    H4n built in mics.

  • http://dslrvideoshooter.com calebpike

    Then get the H4n. Both are great. But I think the tascam is a wee bit better.