[Nick Kehagias]

Hi, I hope by now you figured out what you want, but in case anyone else comes along, I have most of the stuff in question.
A Zoom H1, Sony Pocket recorder, AT 3350, and an Azden EX503 Lav.

I haven’t had much time to do extensive testing as I received all but the Zoom today. However after a few quick tests, this is how it looks.

H1 vs Sony ICD-Ux200 pocket recorder.

Zoom: Level Adjustment from 1-100
Sony: Only Low Med High

Zoom: Shows Levels On screen with clipping notification
Sony: Monitor through headphones only, no clip warning

Zoom: Records in WAV and MP3 format
Sony: Records in MP3 only up to 44.1 @ 192kbps

The Sony may seems to have slightly more noise although it may be the lack of ability to fine tune the levels.

Sony has a better reference speaker and build quality. Its also smaller, lighter, has a built in USB plug and the reason I bought it to test out, is that it has the headphone and mic jack on the top of the unit. So that makes it easy to put in your pocket without breaking the plug off like the zoom. I didn’t break a plug off btw, it just feels like it every time I use it and plug a mic in it.

As for the Mics, at this point I would recommend the Azden EX503 over the AT 3550 if you are going to use it with either recorder. They have similar sound characteristics but the Azden is a hotter mic. I cant even get the AT 3550 mic to peak at the highest input levels. It is useable though.

The three biggest differences that should sway your decision:
1. Aforementioned sensitivity difference
2. The Azden only has a 3′ cable. Good for recorders/transmitter. Nothing else.
3. Azden DOESN’T need a battery. Both recorders I tested give it enough juice.