It really depends what you want it for. Figure that out, then find the recorder that fits your needs. They all have different benefits.

I highly recommend the Sony PCM D50PCM-D50, particularly for stereo sound fx recording and music.

I was hesitant to purchase it because there weren't XLR inputs, but I was mainly looking for high quality mics and preamps, and for the money this one became a no brainer.

If you're more interested in finding a handheld recorder to act as a storage device (meaning you want to plug other mics into them), then the cheaper Zoom models may be the way to go. (Though I can't vouch for their preamps)pre-amps). But for an all in one recorder AND stereo microhpones AND preamps, you can't beat this. I've recorded ambiences from China to Sweden to the icy streams in New Hampshire, and the sounds are crisp, clean and beautiful.

Also, I have used it for dialogue recording going from the tape out from my mixer to the Line Input on the PCMD50PCM-D50. So there's that option as well...

It really depends what you want it for. Figure that out, then find the recorder that fits your needs. They all have different benefits.

I highly recommend the Sony PCM D50, particularly for stereo sound fx recording and music.

I was hesitant to purchase it because there weren't XLR inputs, but I was mainly looking for high quality mics and preamps, and for the money this one became a no brainer.

If you're more interested in finding a handheld recorder to act as a storage device (meaning you want to plug other mics into them), then the cheaper Zoom models may be the way to go. (Though I can't vouch for their preamps). But for an all in one recorder AND stereo microhpones AND preamps, you can't beat this. I've recorded ambiences from China to Sweden to the icy streams in New Hampshire, and the sounds are crisp, clean and beautiful.

Also, I have used it for dialogue recording going from the tape out from my mixer to the Line Input on the PCMD50. So there's that option as well...