Zoom F3 | Field Recorder

Zoom F3 Multitrack Field Recorder Overview

This ultra-compact and rugged field recorder captures pristine audio wherever you take it.

Pocket-Sized Recording

The Zoom F3 multitrack field recorder is a highly portable recording solution that’s perfect for interviews, filmmaking and music sessions. Simply stick the Zoom F3 in your pocket and leave your bulky recording equipment at home. Whilst the F3 is adept at a wide range of audio capture applications, its optional battery-powered operation (up to 8 hours with two AA batteries) makes it perfect for remote field recording.

Plug And Play

The F3 audio recorder boasts incredibly intuitive plug-and-play operation, making it an absolute breeze to use. As you’d expect from Zoom, the F3 records audio with exceptional clarity (32-bit float recording with 192kHz sampling). Your microphone of choice can be plugged into one of the two locking balanced XLR inputs, which run into crystal-clear and ultra-low noise preamps (EIN -127dBu). The second input is useful if you want to record an audio source in stereo or are recording a back-and-forth interview. The sharp LCD waveform display provides real-time visual feedback for the input signal whilst you’re recording. When it’s time to sync up your audio to video, you can count on the high-precision time code for tight and easy synchronisation.

Perfect Levels Every Time

Whether you’re an experienced engineer or a complete beginner, achieving professional results with the Zoom F3 is a breeze. All too often, you’ll record the perfect take and find it’s either too loud or too quiet. That’s why Zoom has outfitted the F3 field recorder with automatic gain adjustment, ensuring your sound sources are consistently captured at the right level in the most hectic and unpredictable recording environment. Simply plug in your mic, hit record and you’re good to go. The REC button features a handy Hold option, preventing any mishaps that can occur by accidentally pressing the wrong button.

4K UHD video resolution
4 audio tracks with up to 24-bit/96kHz resolution
High Dynamic Range (HDR) shooting to reduce black and white blur
F2.8 f/2.8 lens with 150° wide angle for brighter, wider images
5 scene settings (Auto / Indoor / Outdoor / Night / Concert Light) and 3 brightness settings
LCD monitor flips 180° for selfie shooting
Two XLR inputs for external mic/line connection (phantom power and -20dB PAD)
Compatible with Zoom Interchangeable mic capsules, incl. new ZXAH8 and ZVRH8
5 effects to enhance recording quality (Limiter / Compressor / Leveler / DeEsser / NoiseGate)
Low cut filter function to reduce low frequency noise such as air conditioning noise
USB connection for use as a PC/Mac webcam for live streaming (up to 1080p quality, 48 kHz/16-bit sound quality)
HDMI output for projection on large screen TVs (both NTSC and PAL)
Video data is recorded in MOV format (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264)
Storage media: microSD, microSDHC and microSDXC cards (up to 512GB)
Rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides 1 hour 20 minutes of battery life (4K/30fps shooting)
Remote control from the iOS app " Q8n Control " with the separately sold Bluetooth adapter (BTA-1)

F3 Field Recorder
AA Batteries (x2)
Quick Tour

MIC/LINE (mono): 2
LINE OUT: 1
PHONE OUT: 1

Connectors: 2 XLR (2: HOT)
Input gain: Adjustment unnecessary (dual AD converter circuits used)
Input impedance: MIC: 3 kΩ or more | LINE: 3 kΩ or more
Maximum input level: MIC: +4 dBu | LINE: +24 dBu
Phantom power: +24/48 V | Combined channel total of 10 mA or less −127 dBu or less
Equivalent input noise: (IHF-A) when waveform magnification is ×1024 with 150Ω input

Connector: 1 stereo mini jack
Maximum output level: +1 dBu
Output impedance: 200 Ω

Connector: 1 stereo mini jack
Maximum output level: 50 mW + 50 mW (into 32Ω load)
Output impedance: 200 Ω

Maximum simultaneous recording tracks: 2
Maximum simultaneous playback tracks: 2
Recording format: WAV | 44.1/48/88.2/96/192kHz, 32-bit float, mono/ stereo BWF and iXML Formats supported

4–32GB cards compatible with the microSDHC specification
64GB–1TB cards compatible with the microSDXC specification

LCD with backlight (96×64 resolution)

Connector: USB-TYPE-C
*Please use a USB cable that supports data transfer. Supports USB bus power operation USB2.0FullSpeed44.1/48/88.2/96kHz, 24-bit 2-in/2-out
Audio interface operation: USB 2.0 High Speed | 44.1/48/88.2/96kHz, 24-bit 2-in/2-out
Mass storage operation: USB 2.0 High Speed

Dedicated wireless adapter (ZOOM BTA-1)
2 AA batteries (alkaline, NiMH or lithium)
AC adapter (ZOOM AD-17): DC 5 V / 1 A
USB bus power is supported

48 kHz/32-bit float 2ch recording to microSDHC card
Alkaline batteries: about 8 hours
NiMH batteries (xxx mAh): about 8.5 hours Lithium batteries: about 18 hours
*The above values are approximate.
**Continuous battery operation times were determined using in- house testing methods. They will vary greatly according to use conditions.