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Sony ICD-TX800 vs Zoom H4essential
Sony ICD-TX800 ($150) vs Zoom H4essential ($219.99) — side-by-side specs, weight, pros and cons to help you pick the right digital recorder.
Spec-by-spec
| Spec | Sony ICD-TX800 | Zoom H4essential |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $150 | $219.99 |
| Weight | 34g | 243g |
| Mics | 3-capsule directional | — |
| Format | MP3 / LPCM | — |
| Storage | 16GB internal | — |
| Battery | 23h | — |
| Dimensions | 9.9mm thin | — |
| Connection | USB-A direct | — |
| Weight | — | 243g with batteries (Zoom) |
| Recording | — | 32-bit float |
| Inputs | — | XLR/TRS combo |
Pros & Cons
Sony ICD-TX800
- No subscription required
- 23h battery life
- 3-mic voice isolation
- Ultra-slim 9.9mm
- USB-A direct transfer
- No AI transcription built-in
- USB-A (no USB-C)
- No wireless sync
Zoom H4essential
- 32-bit float recording
- XLR/TRS combo inputs
- Zoom handheld lineage
- $219.99
- 243g with batteries
- More recorder than most people need
Sony ICD-TX800 is the better value at $150. Both are part of our curated digital recorder index — tap through to check current pricing.