[access-uk] first impression of the Olympus DM5

Hi everybody, I got a DM5 today, and have been doing some quality tests.
  Firstly button layout. Being smaller than the Victor Stream the buttons are 
smaller, but manageable. There are fewer buttons than the Victor Stream, so 
less to learn.
  It's a small recorder, as I say, much smaller than either the Victor Stream 
or the Zoom H1. It measures, if I remember rightly 113 mm by 45 by 15, and 
weighs 96 grams.
  Recording quality is ok, but, in common with the Victor Stream is limited to 
16-bit, unlike the Zoom H1, which will record up to 24/96. Unlike the Victor 
Stream it will record several formats as standard. MP3 bitrates are between 128 
KBPS and 320 KBPS.
  Although the Zoom beats it hands down on recording quality The DM5 is better 
in that regard than the Victor Stream. The DM5 can record in stereo, which the 
Victor Stream can't. The auto gain, which is far from satisfactory on the Zoom 
is pretty acceptable on the DM5.
  Judging from my investigation of the menus I suspect the DM5's Daisy facility 
is somewhat behind that of the Victor Stream.
  I find the quality of text to speech better, at least as far as the UK 
english goes than the Victor Stream. Olympus have used a female english voice, 
which is infinitely better to listen to than the ultra cut down Daniel on the 
Stream.
  All in all it all depends on what you want. I would have said that anyone 
simply wanting a very high quality field recorder the Zoom is on the money, but 
anyone looking for a jack of all trades the DM5's worth a look.
                    John.

Other related posts:

  • » [access-uk] first impression of the Olympus DM5 - john coley