Battle Of The Best YouTube Audio Recorders The Sony PCMA10 vs Zoom H1n Audio Recorder
The builtin microphones: Both recorders have builtin XY pattern stereo mics but the Sony allows you to change the pickup pattern giving you three different positions. The Zoom is locked into a single position. This category goes to the Sony.
The Preamps: while testing testing both devices I found that I had to raise the gain levels of the Zoom H1n between 6070% of it's max to get the right audio levels and the Sony only had to go to 5060%. The Sony also has much cleaner audio and quieter Preamps especially when recording with the line out. This category goes to the Sony
Build Quality: Both devices are made out of plastic but the Sony feels like it much more robust. The Zoom H1n feels cheap and plasticky. This category goes to the Sony.
Pocketability: Both recorders have a candy bar style design but the Sony PCMA10 is smaller and more streamlined. The Zoom is larger and has a bulbous head because of the cage covering the microphones. The category goes to the Sony.
Price: The Sony PCMA10 is $230 while the Zoom H1n is $120. Now you do get a few accessories with the Sony like a protective case and foam windscreen to cover the builtin mics. Zoom offers similar accessories and more but you have to buy them separately. The Zoom accessory pack is $25 and even at that price it's still cheaper to buy the Zoom H1n rather than the Sony. This category goes to the Zoom.
Ease of Use: There are couple of things that make the Zoom H1n easier to use than the Sony. First the Zoom has user replaceable batteries so you don't have to wait until the unit itself recharges, with the Zoom you just put in fresh batteries and keep working. The Zoom also has a nice input dial right on the front of the device that is very easy to operate and make adjustments while preparing to record or actually recording. However, when you activate the hold switch to lock in your settings the hold switch does not lock the input levels dial and your levels can be accidentally adjusted. This is a major flaw and a disaster waiting to happen.
Now when checking the levels on the Zoom you can do so by just turning on the recorder. The Sony on the other hand you have to either be recording or in pause mode to see your input levels and make adjustments. However, the Sony offers Bluetooth connectivity so you can connect to the Sony Rec Remote app and start and stop recordings, monitor and adjust the levels and place markers. You can also pair Bluetooth headphones to the Sony to listen to recordings wirelessly. This features also allows you to use the Sony PCMA10 as a Bluetooth MP3 player. Not being able to lock the input levels on the Zoom is a real problem for me so this category goes to the Sony.
In Conclusion, I will say if you can afford to buy the Sony PCMA10 over the Zoom H1n do it. The Sony is a better device, it offers more advanced features onboard storage, stronger and cleaner preamps than the Zoom H1n. The Sony is more expensive but when you factor in the cost of buying AAA batteries over time for the Zoom, the accessory pack and a Micro SD card the overall cost of ownership is about the same. If you can’t afford the Sony then the H1n is still a very capable option.


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