Olympus LS-20M HD Video/Audio Recorder

 (17 customer reviews)

I have had the chance to check out the LS-20M recently and compare it to the Zoom Q3 HD and Olympus audio recorder LS-11.

BUILD: The LS-20M has a more solid feel than the plasticky Zoom, but I sure wish the LS-20M had an all metal chassis like the LS-11, which feels weighty and much more durable. I like the all button approach of the Zoom and LS-20M, as opposed to the dials for the levels and volume control on the LS-11. I am one of those that feel the less moving parts, the better. I would like some kind of protection for the lens on the Zoom and LS-20M. They seem exposed and liable to scratching.

DESIGN: The camera of the LS-20M is placed right on the top of the unit between the microphones. Seems to be designed for tabletop use. Or perhaps journalistic/interview purposes, where you hold the unit towards an interviewee like a microphone and you can get a decent video at the same time(although with such a viewpoint from below the subject would look...Read more

I should start off by saying I have owned both the Olympus LS-10 and LS-11 and have been very happy with both. They have become an invaluable tool for recording quick song ideas, rehearsals and in a pinch when I've had to send off a song to someone with just acoustic guitar and vocals sound quality has been very good. On the strength of these, I ordered the LS-20M. I did consider the Zoom Q3HD but I have never been able to get over the flimsy feeling build of Zoom products.

First the good...audio quality is very good as I expected and video quality is also very good to outstanding. I used the LS-20M to record a performance by a band in a small venue and the results were very good. Image quality was great and sound quality blew away that of my video camera without an external mic. In the small club, the LS-20M's zoom was plenty to frame the stage nicely but I had great views of the stage and little blocking my view. Essentially, the product performed as advertised. Another...Read more

On the move I have always needed a high quality stereo SD recorder. I have been through a variety of handheld 24bit 96KHz recorders from the likes of Tascam and Zoom, recently progressing through the Zoom Q3 and then the 90% there Zoom Q3HD. Having great stereo capture with the option to capture so-called HD is very attractive. It is impossible to find a budget HD Camera with the ability to input from a high quality mike or desk - even then you are carrying around a lot of bits and wires etc: So the Audio focused device with Video as a bonus is my favourite. So when Olympus announced the LS20M I promptly sold my Q3HD and waited with baited breath. I have only had the device a few days but can give some top line reviews.
PROS - the interface is much better than the Zoom, it feels like a camera with built in great sound rather than an audio recorder with a lens built in, the image quality on locked off shots is much better than many of the HD handheld hybrids (on my LG 60inch TV!),...Read more