Zoom H5

I read manuals before using a product, but I was slightly confused by the multi or stereo recording functionality - however, following the instructions fixed this immediately. Overall I'm finding it easier to work with than the H4N - press the record button and it records! Guessing that was something Zoom listened to customers on. The onboard mic isn't that great but is definitely workable.
PROS (compared to H4N): Lightweight; Very quick start; Menu navigation much quicker; I like the protected potentiometers on the front - much easier to adjust than the side dial; Easy card access - instead of going through battery pack, dedicated slot.
CONS: It's plastic, so does pick up noise if handheld - would seriously recommend getting the microphone stand converter as that will reduce 90% of your handling noise (can also be used with all Zoom recorders, so worthwhile); If you're not familiar with Zoom recorders could be tricky to learn everything; The stereo mic that it comes with seems focused at a slightly odd angle - the pickup angle is definitely not a perfect arc.
I've been surprised by how good this is - and the quick start (32GB card, about 5 seconds compared to around 40 seconds for H4) makes it a no-brainer for me.

We bought this audio device for our NGO to capture audio on the go for our videos, interviews, podcasts and also in a booth to record voice over using XLR inputs. And for this price we just could not find anything that would match zoom h5 in its usability, audio quality and portability. As of right now you probably won't find anything better!

Nonetheless, it has its shortcomings. For example...
- when you push the gain dial on a XLR input over 6~7, self noise of preamps will become apparent (can be mitigated if you use something like a Fethead/Cloudlifter)
- attenuated backup recording available only for XY capsule. If you are recording using XLR inputs you have to stick to only one file.
- device is powered via 2xAA and battery life is significantly shorter if you use phantom power. Fortunately it can be power also via power bank or usb to wall plug adapter. So if you are shooting indoors you can pretty much forget about the battery life. If you don't have access to electricity, make sure to have spare batteries in your pocket.

So for the recap...

Pros: audio quality, portability, use applications, possibility to use as an audio interface for your PC
Cons: self noise when your exceed that 6-ish mark on a gain knob, battery life when using phantom power, only digital limiter

As I already mentioned, it is a great audio recorder and if your needs are similar to ours, I am sure you will love it!

Zero Handling noise thanks to the material the unit is made, XLRs just make the job with no complaints at all.
The software is really ok, makes the job too.
Possibility to switch over different capsules makes this unit worth the price both really, really durable and versatile.

Maybe some uncertainty on the capsules recording quality, they just didn't convince me completely 'cause for a hundred bucks less you get the H2n and the quality gap is not that high (I compared them with a consistent re-amping test).
Zoom's preamps seem to be all slightly noisy on their own, Not that much to say "this mic is scam", but you know, high enough to say "ok, I know you're there, I'll just fix you if needed".
Obviously, if you use a premium external phantom-powered mic this problem is easily bypassed.

THAT SAID, the recording quality on the H5 is remarkably higher than the previous brothers, the sound is just more naturally "in your face" and easily verges on a studio-like sound.
This is becoming a standard for sound-design solutions.

Zero-handling noise is an important feature and here is your friend. This is not granted on all devices on the market.

All of this balance revealed itself as a crucial point and is exactly where I decided to bank on it, with tremendous satisfaction!

I've extensive experience with H1, H4-n, H5 and H6, and I must say that H5 is my favorite.

Pros:
External mic preamps are very quiet, much better than H4
Handling noise is minimized thanks to the matte surface
Detachable internal mics makes it compact and much easier to use it for booming applications
I love the protective metal over the gain knobs
Works as an interface

Cons:
The internal mic quality is still disappointing (not a significant improvement over H4). You gotta turn the nob to around 8 most of the time to get a decent sound but taht introduces an awful hiss. Also, I find the high frequencies quite harsh, almost distorted even in medium gain settings.
Internal mics are way too frail, I broke a plastic part already when it fell from only half a meter height
Interface is tedious
No internal memory
Only 44 and 48 kHz operation when using it as interface (no 96)

Get this if you will mainly use external mics, the preamp quality is worth the upgrade from H4 ,and it's very affordable. If you don't need the extra inputs, I find H6 redundant, because sound quality is very similar if not the same. If you'll only need the internal mics, I'd recommend Sony D100, but that's in another price range. I'm afraid Similar units like Tascam won't be a big of a difference in that manner as an alternative.

I now have the H5, I ordered it first thing and I?ve now tested it out the first time. After the H4 using it is a breeze, no real need for manual, it sounds great, BUT I?ve had 1) one serious problem and 2) another annoyance that I didn?t think of until using it in real life.

1) I use the recorder mainly to record my DJ sets, both the record out (of a Pioneer DJM900nexus DJ mixer) and the crowd/ambience, which I did the other night, but the recording is somehow messed-up. My set was a bit over two hours long and while the first hour was fine, starting around the two-hour mark (not exactly, though) there are digital glitches thru out the rest of the recording, making it unusable. I don't know what causes it and I?ll have to go back to the H4 until I figure this out. The SD card is the same 16GB one I've used without any issues with my H4 for several years, so shouldn't be that.

EDIT: I contacted Zoom support and was adviced to get a new (SanDisk) class 10 SDHC, which I did and now the recording is flawless. I don't understand this, as the old H4n was and is working just fine with my old memory card with the same sampling frequency and bit depth (44,1k/24bit), but I guess some specs have changed and the new one needs a newer spec card.

2) The H4 gain settings are done via the +/- buttons on the side vs. the actual gain pots on the H5. Most of the time I record a line level stereo signal out of a DJ mixer and it is REALLY hard to set the levels of both line channels exactly the same by turning the H5 dials/knobs, which affects the integrity of the stereo recording. Also, it was REALLY fiddly to adjust the gains to a level where it wasn?t way too hot or dead quiet, and even though you have the numbers on the dials, setting them up seemingly even yielded to a 1-2dB difference between the channels. It shouldn?t be that hard, I hope I missed something.

I use this thing with my stoner/psych metal band. We're still experimenting how to get the best quality but honestly it sounds awesome as-is. Very life-like ADC and DAC. The mics' low-end could be just a bit better though, but easily fixed in editing.
The capsules can handle a lot of loudness, the interface is intuitive, love this thing. I had it clip on me once on a drum peak but you honestly can't even really tell. The XLR inputs on bottom do not lock, so can be a little loose depending on the cable.

Right now we are experimenting to get full recordings with this up to release quality and it has the potential. We are drums, guitar, bass.

Getting the low-end centered using the bass DI and just mixing it in until it sounds center. I'm thinking of also using a kick mic to fill it out. The cymbals sound really good and the 4x12 guitar cab very direct. The room itself is not ideal for recording but surprisingly good. I've recorded in much worse spaces for student projects.

If you really want you can even apply effects on this thing and edit on the go. Seems like the ultimate all-rounder but not seeing a lot of reports for band recording.

The Zoom H5 comes with the X/Y capsule included, and it sounds great! I've tested to record vocals with it as well as instrumentals. The X/Y capsule brings clean and crisp audio.

I personally like the idea of interchangeable microphone capsules. This is due to the fact that you can easily use the sort of microphone you need for the situation. This makes it great for Run & Gun filmmaking, because, you could just snap the, for example, condenser microphone capsule on, without having to mount external microphones which would add wight and add extra wiring to the system etc. One thing I find annoying is that there isn't any cover for the Zoom H5's capsule port, this means that the port is very exposed while not using a capsule.

I really like the gain level knobs, because, they're easy to adjust as well as to fine tune. A plus is the bar protecting the knobs from accidentally turn. The device feels very sturdy.

The battery life is great! I used two alkaline batteries and I've manage to get hours of recordings. Based on my usage I would assume that the batteries would last around 15-20 hours worth of recording.

The H5 also got two separate 3,5mm jacks for line out, as well as a headphone jack. The benefit of having a line out and headphone jack separately is that you can monitor your audio and feed the audio to camera or such at the same time. The line out has even got an adjustable audio level.

The device is very easy to mount, either to a tripod or to a digital SLR camera with a hot shoe adapter which mounts to the 1/4-20 tripod mount on the back of it.

As a conclusion.
This is a great recorder with great audio and build quality. It's a great option for filmmakers on a low budget who wants to get great audio.

i got this to record thunders and industrial layers for my music, i watch 1000 videos on youtube on this product but not so many focusing on the ability of the zoom h5 to work as a very stable audio interface , via usb , with low latency and very good gain! it was a surprise and a good one. It can become my portable audio interface for vocals and instruments that came as a bonus, it really works and works better than a few audio interfaces i had.
i read the manual and i must say it is the best manual i ever read on a machine like this, i understood everything and this machine can do it all, tuning your guitar , record big files , 2 stereos at the same time , and the size is a good pocket size to everyday sonic picture ready for wen your inspired, i got the bundle with the wind shield and power adaptor and im very impress with the wind protector , it really shields the wind and makes sound sharp.
tis machine is easy to use , you can unbox and start recording with no extra confusing buttons , just select the mic and rec., im really impressed with this machine and we will be friends for a long time.