Olympus DS-40 (512 MB) Handheld Digital Voice Recorder

Pros: No dependencies on 3rd party software to transfer files, easy to use.
Cons: Not as sleek as other models in its class.

Electronics Review by Mr. Peter Kim IT Professional, Graduate Student and terrible note taker... Now that I have your attention, I am not being sexist; this is just an allegory for two electronic digital voice recorders! I ...

Pros: Battery life, headphone and microphone jack, variable recording sensitivity
Cons: Power button on the side can accidentally be shifted off/on

Depending on your space needs, you can pick the Olympus DS 30, 40 or 50. They are all the same recorder except for the memory size. I bought this recorder because I needed an upgrade from the Olympus WS 100. I am a working journalist and frequently ...

Pros: Great sensitivity with choices between lecture, conference and dictation
Cons: Some Olympus recorders plug straight into USB, this needed a cable - (but so what!!)

Bought to pick up lecture material from a large hall... found it has good sensitivity although will pick up your fidgeting neighbours too!
Excellent memory and easy to use with voice assistance for getting started immediately - which you can switch off once you're used to it!
Plenty of functionality and the stereo mic seems to work well in all conditions