zoom h4n vs pre amp for microphone

I am just getting started in making videos in Youtube, and I want to have clear, crisp audio on a budget.

I will be getting a compact dslr camera (Pentax K-01), and using an external microphone. Which is better?


$220
Zoom H4N digital audio recorder, used as modified lapel mic (stick it in my jacket or use as shotgun inside haa) until I get more money and add better shotgun + lapel mic to the zoom.

http://www.amazon.com/Zoom-Handy-Portable-Digital-Recorder/dp/B001QWBM62/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1361877052&sr =1-1&keywords=h4


Or would one of these be better? There aren't as many reviews on them. I believe both are powered with batteries, but I don't know about their battery life.

ART USB Dual Pre
ART Phantom II Pro

The first one appears better, and a little bit more expensive, 1/3 and 1/4 of the cost of h4n respectively for phantom power sources. Then I could use the saved money to buy another mic, like this Shure, which sounds good on Youtube.
shure sm 83

How do devices like the ART work? Do I just plug in a microphone to it and plug the ART into the Camera and start shooting, or is their another device that I need to record the sound?

Thanks for your help