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- The Olympus LS-20M Linear PCM Recorder answers the age-old question: 'Is that a miniature studio in your pocket, or are you just happy to record me?' With its dual condenser mics capable of recording 24-bit / 96kHz PCM audio, and a built-in camcorder that can capture full 1080p high-definition video, the LS-20M fuses the best of both worlds, creating a feast for eyes and ears. One of the cooler-looking gadgets to hit the video and audio shelves (virtually speaking), this recorder is also one of
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Product Description
Transform everyday videos into memorable movies with the Olympus LS-20M Linear PCM recorder. The LS-20M makes it easy to capture high definition audio and video - and you can add creative flair to any recording with Magic Movie special effect filters. Whether you are recording a live recital, creating a home movie or video chatting with family and friends, you’ll be amazed by the linear PCM audio and high-definition video in the new Olympus LS-20M.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
62 of 63 people found the following review helpful
By R. Chow
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 unflattering). I intend to use the LS-20M for recording gigs and rehearsals so the position of the camera in relation to the LED screen for this purpose is awkward, and I find the Q3 HD easier to set up and work with in this regard. The big disadvantage with the LS-20M design, as noted by the other reviewer, is that you can't use any type of wind blocker otherwise it would cover up the lens. The Zoom design is definitely better here.
OPERATION: I found the buttons, menus and functions of both the Zoom and LS-20M are fairly intuitive and easy to navigate, similar to a smart phone. Its probably even possible to operate all functions of the LS-20M with just one hand. I really prefer the total manual audio level control of the Olympus units as opposed to just the 'hi and low' settings of the Zoom.
FILES: My biggest complaint with the LS-20M is that after the max 4GB per file is reached the recorder does not automatically start another file for continuous recording like the LS-11. I haven't recorded anything on the Zoom long enough to see if it creates a new file or not. The Olympus LS-10 had this problem and was addressed with a firmware update, and the LS-11 didn't have this problem at all. I am hoping that this is something that may be fixed on the LS-20M with a similar firmware update.
VIDEO: I have only done a few hours of testing with the LS-20M, but based on what I've seen the video quality of the LS-20M is far and away much better than the Q3 HD. The Zoom video is very noisy, artifacty and jittery, but the LS-20M is much cleaner, 'richer' and smoother with some noise in low light. I recorded a backyard gig during the 4th of July weekend and the image seemed to get 'wavy' whenever I hit certain notes on my bass. Not sure if this was from the tripod vibrating when I hit the note or if it was something inside the LS-20M doing it. Here is a video link of this curious phenomenus: youtube dot com/watch?v=GH51yq0WvmE
AUDIO: I have always liked the audio quality of the LS-11 over the Zoom, so much so that I would record with both the Q3 HD and LS-11 and replace the Q3 HD audio with the LS-11 audio in post. Since the LS-20M has similarly excellent audio, at first I thought I could get rid of both the LS-11 and Q3 HD. But with the aforementioned wind blocker problem, it looks like I will be holding on to the LS-11 (with wind blocker) and replacing the audio again if there is excessive wind noise on the LS-20M.
BATTERIES: I usually use a power adaptor for audio/video units like the Zoom and LS-20M. That being said, I haven't been able to test the charge life of the rechargeable battery that comes with the LS-20M. The Zoom uses two AA batteries and sucks them dry in less than an hour. Since the LS-11 is audio only, the two AA batteries last several hours and with lithiums can last over 15 hours.
ACCESSORIES: Accessories include the rechargeable battery, 2GB SDHC card and power adaptor (the Q3 HD power adaptor is an annoying separate purchase, and the battery life of the LS-11 is very long so I don't use a power adaptor). The LS-20M didn't come with a carry pouch like the LS-11 did, and the grammar of the users manual is sort of dodgy.
CONCLUSION: Overall, so far I like the LS-20M very much and immediately sold my Zoom Q3HD. Olympus has great audio and video quality with the LS-20M, but its the design of the unit that seems to be the major weakness. I am hopeful of design improvements for future versions of this unit, and a firmware update to address the continuous file problem of the LS-20M.
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 unflattering). I intend to use the LS-20M for recording gigs and rehearsals so the position of the camera in relation to the LED screen for this purpose is awkward, and I find the Q3 HD easier to set up and work with in this regard. The big disadvantage with the LS-20M design, as noted by the other reviewer, is that you can't use any type of wind blocker otherwise it would cover up the lens. The Zoom design is definitely better here.
OPERATION: I found the buttons, menus and functions of both the Zoom and LS-20M are fairly intuitive and easy to navigate, similar to a smart phone. Its probably even possible to operate all functions of the LS-20M with just one hand. I really prefer the total manual audio level control of the Olympus units as opposed to just the 'hi and low' settings of the Zoom.
FILES: My biggest complaint with the LS-20M is that after the max 4GB per file is reached the recorder does not automatically start another file for continuous recording like the LS-11. I haven't recorded anything on the Zoom long enough to see if it creates a new file or not. The Olympus LS-10 had this problem and was addressed with a firmware update, and the LS-11 didn't have this problem at all. I am hoping that this is something that may be fixed on the LS-20M with a similar firmware update.
VIDEO: I have only done a few hours of testing with the LS-20M, but based on what I've seen the video quality of the LS-20M is far and away much better than the Q3 HD. The Zoom video is very noisy, artifacty and jittery, but the LS-20M is much cleaner, 'richer' and smoother with some noise in low light. I recorded a backyard gig during the 4th of July weekend and the image seemed to get 'wavy' whenever I hit certain notes on my bass. Not sure if this was from the tripod vibrating when I hit the note or if it was something inside the LS-20M doing it. Here is a video link of this curious phenomenus: youtube dot com/watch?v=GH51yq0WvmE
AUDIO: I have always liked the audio quality of the LS-11 over the Zoom, so much so that I would record with both the Q3 HD and LS-11 and replace the Q3 HD audio with the LS-11 audio in post. Since the LS-20M has similarly excellent audio, at first I thought I could get rid of both the LS-11 and Q3 HD. But with the aforementioned wind blocker problem, it looks like I will be holding on to the LS-11 (with wind blocker) and replacing the audio again if there is excessive wind noise on the LS-20M.
BATTERIES: I usually use a power adaptor for audio/video units like the Zoom and LS-20M. That being said, I haven't been able to test the charge life of the rechargeable battery that comes with the LS-20M. The Zoom uses two AA batteries and sucks them dry in less than an hour. Since the LS-11 is audio only, the two AA batteries last several hours and with lithiums can last over 15 hours.
ACCESSORIES: Accessories include the rechargeable battery, 2GB SDHC card and power adaptor (the Q3 HD power adaptor is an annoying separate purchase, and the battery life of the LS-11 is very long so I don't use a power adaptor). The LS-20M didn't come with a carry pouch like the LS-11 did, and the grammar of the users manual is sort of dodgy.
CONCLUSION: Overall, so far I like the LS-20M very much and immediately sold my Zoom Q3HD. Olympus has great audio and video quality with the LS-20M, but its the design of the unit that seems to be the major weakness. I am hopeful of design improvements for future versions of this unit, and a firmware update to address the continuous file problem of the LS-20M.
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful
By Scott Berg
Amazon Verified Purchase
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 plus is size. If you need to record and don't want to draw a lot of attention to yourself, this camera is a great choice as it's not that much bigger than an iPhone but longer and can be easily carried in a jacket pocket and concealed when not in use.
Now for the not-so-good...the lens placement is funky for sure. I shot nearly all of a one hour set and my arm was indeed worn out from holding the camera at the funky angle necessary to capture the performance. I would hope that future versions of this model come with a way to adjust the camera lens--that would have been a huge plus on this release. For whatever reason, Olympus did not see fit to provide us with a case for the LS-20M out of the box. I'm going to try the CS-117 Carrying Case for the LS-10 which I think will be a suitable alternative. Lastly, the shell of the recorder is made of plastic. It survived being dropped the first night from about 3 feet with no scratches but it doesn't feel as sturdy as the LS-11 (which has an all-metal body).
All in all, I'm satisfied and I'm going to keep the LS-20M however I can't help feeling that the next iteration of this recorder is really going to be the one to get.
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 plus is size. If you need to record and don't want to draw a lot of attention to yourself, this camera is a great choice as it's not that much bigger than an iPhone but longer and can be easily carried in a jacket pocket and concealed when not in use.
Now for the not-so-good...the lens placement is funky for sure. I shot nearly all of a one hour set and my arm was indeed worn out from holding the camera at the funky angle necessary to capture the performance. I would hope that future versions of this model come with a way to adjust the camera lens--that would have been a huge plus on this release. For whatever reason, Olympus did not see fit to provide us with a case for the LS-20M out of the box. I'm going to try the CS-117 Carrying Case for the LS-10 which I think will be a suitable alternative. Lastly, the shell of the recorder is made of plastic. It survived being dropped the first night from about 3 feet with no scratches but it doesn't feel as sturdy as the LS-11 (which has an all-metal body).
All in all, I'm satisfied and I'm going to keep the LS-20M however I can't help feeling that the next iteration of this recorder is really going to be the one to get.
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
I have only had this camera for about 25 days, and thank goodness I discovered this problem within my 30 day window, as it is being returned today. First, there are many positive things I could say about this device, but I feel many other reviewers sum them up very accurately. However, one defect has yet to be discussed. I purchased the LS-20M to record classical performances (such as solo piano, or piano with another instrument). I recorded using a tripod, without any movement from the camera (no panning, zooming, etc). The camera seems to shoot fine when there is consistent movement of some kind in the whole picture. Then I noticed a very obvious "digital distortion" of the image, which seemed to only occur when there was either no motion in the frame or very little motion. I am sure there is some term or further explanation for what is going on, but that is the best I can do to describe it. I have uploaded a short sample to accurately show what I am talking about:
www. youtube. com/ watch?v=AtUzBRdoEYk (remove spaces)
I did go through every single possible setting (image stabilizer, image quality, ISO, etc.) trying every single combination - and nothing solved the problem. UPS should be picking it up today......
FYI - the max file size is 4 GB regardless of quality settings. So at 1080p that's about 40 minutes of continuous recording. I hadn't seen this mentioned anywhere, expect when I found it towards the end of the manual.
www. youtube. com/ watch?v=AtUzBRdoEYk (remove spaces)
I did go through every single possible setting (image stabilizer, image quality, ISO, etc.) trying every single combination - and nothing solved the problem. UPS should be picking it up today......
FYI - the max file size is 4 GB regardless of quality settings. So at 1080p that's about 40 minutes of continuous recording. I hadn't seen this mentioned anywhere, expect when I found it towards the end of the manual.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great product (now discontinued) but not for everyone.
I had been wanting to try one of these for a long time and when I went to buy one they were discontinued and no longer being sold. Read more
Published 1 month ago by D. Stephens
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great recorder
This thing is awesome. It has many great features and the recording is awesome. Works great for the band in a small location and loud amps. Works great.
Published 3 months ago by TH
3.0 out of 5 stars
DOES IT BROADCAST LIVE WITHOUT A PC?
Can the LS-20M broadcast live (via 3G, 4G or wi-fi) WITHOUT a pc like the Sony Bloggie Live or your cell phone can? Read more
Published 4 months ago by Albert Apuzzi Jr.
5.0 out of 5 stars
The video is good, but the audio is awesome!!
I was looking for a video camera under $400 and settled on a couple of options
but when I heard about Olympus making a camera that had pro quality stereo
microphones... Read more
but when I heard about Olympus making a camera that had pro quality stereo
microphones... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Joshua Christian
5.0 out of 5 stars
works well
video quality better than expected, handy to have laying around flat and inconspicuous, can be concealed easy, will likely record audio better than most cameras
Published 6 months ago by jimmy
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great unit, really dumb charging
I'm would give this 5 Stars if not for the Charging issues. See below on charging.
I have owned the LS-10 and LS-11.
I love the Video. Read more
I have owned the LS-10 and LS-11.
I love the Video. Read more
Published 6 months ago by mswlogo
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sounds and looks great!
As a "street reporter", this sound recorder works well when covering large meetings, outdoor events and one-on-one interviews. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Tom J. Simms
2.0 out of 5 stars
odd camera placement
I actually can't attest to the audio or video quality of the product and it may be great. However the first and only time I tried to use this product was at an event when I was... Read more
Published 11 months ago by C. Gregg
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good recorder, but with flaws
I use this recorder pretty regularly, and it serves me quite well. That said, there are some issues:
1. Except if fixed on a tripod, recording video is awkward. Read more
1. Except if fixed on a tripod, recording video is awkward. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Mark Adams
3.0 out of 5 stars
I just cant get it to play files smooth on PC
I see nobody else seems to have any issues with this recorder. I love the fact I can direct line in for Audio and yes it does a great job with the audio recording from sound board... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Ed D
