Hello,
I've gone thorough forum archive and cannot decide what Zoom device is the best option for my usage on piano recording. I need something which will be easily setup, allows me to connect headphones to it for instant playing (to record myself and immediate check how badly I play :-) and still should provide enough quality to be able to post to youtube for ABF recitals.
I'm deciding between Zoom H1, H2n and H4n. For now I don't think I'll need or connect external mics, I hope those built in are good enough, aren't they?
Thanks!
Karel

Not sure if you are set on the Zoom, but I have used a Sony PCM-D50 and I like the results. I don't know if it's comparable in price.

If you don't plan on connecting external mics ever, the H2N is probably good for your purposes. The only other advantage the H4 has is the ability to do multi-tracking, which isn't that useful for solo piano.

I haven't heard enough recordings with the H1 to determine how it compares to the H2/H4, so I can't make a recommendation regarding it one way or the other.

Of course, if you think you might get bitten by the YouTube bug, you may want to consider the Q3HD, which allows you to record audio only as well.

I have the Zoom H4n. The inbuilt mics are good, and i have used them for recording my piano for piano competition entry DVD's. The sound is good. The multi-tracking, using more external microphones, though you probably won't need it for reviewing your practice (I do that too!), is useful when you may want higher quality sound recording provided you have at least one good other mic, and you get more control over sound, though setting it up takes a bit of time to find good placement. The H2 was nice, more compact, and the sound quality wasn't bad either. All of them can play back instantly through headphones.

I am really impressed with my H2N, very easy to use, excellent quality recordings at an unreal price.

The menu system is so intuitive you hardly need the manual, very similar to a digital camera.

Make sure you get the accessory pack. The remote control is awesome.

So far the recording I like best is 2 channel surround, stereo width at 150 degrees. It will record up to 96000 kHz/24 bit, but I find 48000kHz/24 or 16 bit provides smaller file sizes with almost no noticable quality difference.

One advantage of a non-video recorder is that you can position the mic anywhere you want. Of course there are advantages of a video recorder too, but I couldn't justify the extra cost for what I wanted to do.

consider H4 with external mic if you ever plan on recording some duet with a voice, a cello, or whatever. I use the 4 channels all the time. That's the slickest, cheapest, most portable way to record 4 channels.

We have used the H2N for solo piano recordings on the fly and I am very impressed with the result.

I have also seen and used a Roland BR-80 and that is also impressive for a purpose like this.

I hope that is helpful,

I have the H4n, too and it has more features than I will ever use, honestly.
Having said that, it is a MUST to use external headphones when playing back AND the exact positioning of the dang thing is a bit of trial and error.
More error for me

I like the H2 for live recording in jazz bars as well as tests on pianos in quiet environments. However, I have not used any of the other Zoom devices.

The difference between the H1 and H2n is very significant. From the H2n to the H4n is more about the extras, IMO, than in quality. The H2n has some very nice improvements over the previous H2. Get the features you need.

There are heaps of competitors, but for that type of recording device, it's much harder to compare across the different brands.

I own, and would recommend, the Tascam DR-100, as an alternative to the Zoom H4n. Price is roughly the same.