Polar pattern: The polar pattern is an area present around the microphone which is used for recording sound. You should understand the variety of polar patterns available and choose a microphone. There are majorly a few types of patterns which include omnidirectional, bidirectional and unidirectional. We have chosen unidirectional microphones in our list as there is a considered a good choice for video creation. It can help to catch the sound easier and will not face problems while recording. Power source: It is always a need for the owners to make sure that they choose a microphone after checking their power source. There are generally battery-powered and electric microphones. Both have equal importance and benefits; however, you can choose based on your availability. Choosing battery-powered can help you to keep recording even when there are some electrical charges. However, if you are backed up with great batteries in your house or office, you can choose electrical corded microphones. Compatibility: You also have to make sure about the compatibility of your microphone. Depending on the devices that you are using, make sure that you choose one. With the instructions provided by the manufacturer, you will be able to understand whether the devices that are used will be compatible with the on-camera microphone. This will help you to make an informed choice and will not regret making a decision.
While there are several other essential factors that you require to consider, these are the top three important elements that you should always keep in mind. So in this guide, we will now check out the best on-camera microphones and a comprehensive Buying Guide. Hopefully, it will be helpful for you to make an informed decision and choose the best on-camera mic for your desired purpose. Remember to read all the vital information provided by the manufacturer while choosing to have a rough idea about its functionality.
Best On Camera Mic
Best On Camera Mic Reviews
1. Rode VideoMicro On-Camera Mic
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The Rode VideoMicro is a high-quality microphone that is specifically designed to enhance the audio of your videos. It is included with the high-end cardioid condenser microphone capsule that provides the most remarkable quality audio recording. Irrespective of the type of camera you are using, this compact on-camera microphone will provide you with the ultimate video recording experience. It has a very compact size of 80 MM long and a weight of 42 g. This unidirectional microphone reduces the chances of distraction by focusing entirely on the audio coming from in front of the camera. The directional condenser and active electronics deliver detailed audio compared to the microphone that is typically available in portable recorders and cameras. This is a plug-in power microphone that does not have any switches or control. Hence, this is reliable and a very simple choice for journalists, shooters and vloggers. It comes with a detachable 3.5 MM cable that helps you to hook up with the camera quickly. It is a dual mono configuration that makes sure of the microphone signal. Rubber bands are one of the most important requirements for shock mounds and which is why Rode made use of the Rycote Lyre suspension-style shockmount. It will not only simplify the microphone setup but also stop transferring vibration that comes from the camera. The use of a furry windshield included in this microphone minimizes unnecessary noise from breeze, heaters, air-conditioners and fans. Therefore it will produce the clearest of sounds. It is compatible with a range of Rode accessories. You will also be able to connect it directly to your tablet or microphone using the 3.5mm TRRS jack. Lastly, the 2 years of extended warranty provided by the manufacturer will offer you the reliability that you require. FEATURES
It is lightweight and has a compact size of 80 MM. The microphone is constructed with an all metal body. You don’t have to include any battery on this microphone. Included with Rycote Lyre shock mount. The furry windshield provides the clearest sound and helps to get rid of unnecessary noise. Two years of extended warranty. Compatible with 3.5 MM TRRS jack.
PROS:
The sound quality is truly awesome Very small and compact in size. Decent quality audio. Very well built Very simple to use.
CONS:
Need to buy a separate 3.5 MM cable from the brand.
2. Comica CVM-V30 LITE Video Microphone
The Comica CVM-V30 LITE Video Microphone is a great choice that comes with universal compatibility. All you need to do is to switch your phone or camera on the microphone body. It is compatible with Android, iPhones, camcorders, audio recorders, cameras and a lot more. However, you have to make sure that the device has the 3.5 MM Jack portability. It is a great choice for creating vlogs and taking interviews. This microphone is capable of producing clear sound for smartphones and cameras. It is powered by smartphone or camera plug-in power that reduces the chances of noise handling and can solve a myriad of problems that come with insufficient battery power. So, even when you are recording for a long time, this battery-free design microphone will help you to record in the most effortless manner. It features a shock absorption shock mount that effectively handles unnecessary noise and minimizes unwanted vibration. Therefore, you will be able to record super clear audio quality with a great video. It has the super-cardioid technology that makes this shotgun microphone reduce excellent quality sound. It is effective to reduce noise from the surroundings and to pick up the required audio. FEATURES
It has the super-cardioid Polar pattern to capture the best audio. Included with superior shock absorption technology helps to reduce vibration and surrounding noise. Easy plug-in technology makes it easy to install. You can use it on any device that is compatible with 3.5 MM Jack. Helps to provide super clarity sound.
PROS:
It has a great build quality. Excellent price point. Connecting to any smartphone or device is hard. Great to use in different situations.
CONS:
Does not produce great sound directly with a DSLR
2. BOYA by-MM1 On-Camera Shotgun Microphone
The BOYA by-MM1 On-Camera Shotgun Microphone is again a great choice when it comes to looking for a universal compatibility microphone. It’s a perfect choice for your Android, iPhone, audio recorders, tablets, camcorders, laptops and cameras. It has a weight of only 0.18 kg, which makes it super easy to use everywhere. Backed with robust audio quality and technology, it can help you to produce HD sound quality. It has cardioid technology that belongs to the unidirectional technology. It helps to pick up the sound that comes from in front of the Mic. It does not require any battery to power this microphone, and hence it is an easy plug-and-play design. Whenever you wish to record videos, all you need is to just plug in with the device, and you’re ready to record videos. You can easily use this with any device that has a 3.5 MM port. You require the 3.5 MM TRRS connector to use this on several devices. It is included with a detachable shock mount from Rycote Lyre that offers solid and reliable construction. It is highly effective in eliminating noise while camera handling and vibration. It is included with a furry windshield that can minimize environmental noise and wind from the outdoor recording. It ensures a crystal clear sound quality. Using this high-quality product offers solid and reliable construction. Integrating this high-quality shotgun microphone, you will be able to create some of the most stunning audiovisuals. FEATURES:
Produces great sound quality. Uses a simple plug-and-play design. It does not require any battery to power up. Simple cardioid pick-up technology for the best sound. Furry windshield to reduce unwanted surrounding noise. Rycote Lyre shock absorption technology.
PROS:
A professional quality microphone. No sound of the wind. Very lightweight. You don’t have to keep recharging.
CONS:
Sometimes there is a sound break.
3. Sennheiser Directional On-Camera
The Sennheiser Professional MKE 400 Directional On-Camera Shotgun Microphone is a great quality microphone that helps every creator to create some of the most fantastic videos. Created by the brand Sennheiser, which aims to shape the future of audio, it provides the next-generation sound experience. It is included with some of the high-end features which help you to record the best sounds. This microphone can handle noise. It features shock absorption quality that helps to provide the best clarity and quality even in the noisiest environment. You can easily use it with your camera and stay assured that it can eradicate the surrounding noise. You don’t have to stay confined to one device as you can use 3.5 MM TRRS and TRS cables to use on different mobile devices and cameras. It is included with a super-cardioid polar pattern that helps to capture every single detail by rejecting background noise. It is an ideal choice for videographers and vloggers. Additionally, it is included with the furry windshield that improves protection and eliminates the sound of the wind. So, this high-end shotgun microphone is capable of capturing the clearest voice and producing great sound quality. FEATURES
Included with a furry windshield for maximum protection against wind noise. It can be connected to any device with a 3.5 MM jack port. Super cardioid technology improves audio quality in your videos. Shock-mounted design minimizes noise. The inbuilt low-cut filter and the three-step sensitivity switch control any environment. Availability of volume and Jasmine for monitoring audio.
PROS:
Very clear sound quality. Design is simply awesome. Great at the price range. Eliminates vibration from cameras.
CONS:
Buttons are light and sometimes switch on.
4. Rode VideoMicPro On-Camera Mic
The Rode VideoMicPro Directional mic is an ideal choice for journalists, vloggers and budget filmmakers. This shotgun microphone has lower noise and higher sensitivity with great adjustment settings. It is a cost-effective way to set up in a professional manner. It has a single 9V battery that gives power to this microphone to last after 17 hours. It is also included with the LED light, which, when turned red, indicates a low battery. Bass roll and adjustable gain help you to optimize the tone and level in a range of situations. It is a lightweight and compact shotgun microphone that is integrated with a shock mount. You can easily mount it on your camera and stay sure that it can reduce the noise created from vibration. Included with the windscreen design makes sure that it is suitable for outdoor shoots by reducing wind noise. Designed with a 3.5 MM TRS cable helps you easily hook your device with a camera or other equipment. You can totally enjoy it both indoors and in an outdoor setting. While most microphones do pick up sound from different directions, this newly designed one makes use of a super-cardioid polar pattern. It mainly focuses on the sound that comes from the front. Included with a sensitive condenser element and low noise electronics make sure to produce detailed audio. For the optimum recording level, this microphone has three-stage gain control. It is done to ensure convenience and precision. The Rycote Lyre suspension-style shock mount ensures no vibration. FEATURES
Designed with Rycote Lyre suspension-style shock mount to reduce vibration. Incredibly lightweight makes it a portable choice. Powered with a 9V battery keeps the mic powered for 70 hours. Three-level position control for precision. Adapts to any device with a 3.5mm TRS jack port. Windscreen design to make it suitable for outdoor use.
PROS:
Exceptional sound quality. Very easy to use. Provide clear sound without catching noise. The price is great for what you get. Shock mounting is excellent.
CONS:
The mic is big enough. The windscreen is ineffective.
5. Zoom F1-SP On-Camera
The Zoom F1-SP On-Camera Microphone and Recorder is capable of delivering crisp and clear dialogues even when you’re in a hurry. It is an excellent choice for interviews and video shoots. The two-track portable field recorder is included with the onboard limiter along with the auto-level control that helps you to get a distortion-free sound. It is super easy to use and is one of the best choices for people who are always outdoors. From the simple touch controls and easy-to-read backlit display to its long battery life, this microphone can help you reliably complete your work irrespective of the audio background. So if you need a long-duration recorder for professional audio capturing or interviews, this microphone is ready to handle any task in any situation. The SGH-6 Mono shotgun is directly attached to a 10-pin zoom microphone capsule. So, it does not require any additional cable. The three internal microphone capsules that have a super-cardioid polar pattern deliver accurate sound. It includes a shock mount that is capable of handling noise and reducing vibration from the surrounding. It is engineered in a way to eliminate any unwanted vibration that is caused while shooting outdoors. It makes use of the automatic level controller and onboard limiter to prevent overloading A/D converters. You also have the ability to configure the recording settings before you choose to start the video. The powerful microphone can be adjusted with a device using 3.5 MM Jack input. The SMF-1 shock mount and WSS-6 windscreen provide the ultimate experience. No matter how the outdoor situation is, the mic can capture sound without any noise and make sure to deliver crystal clear sound quality. FEATURES
The Aluminum body makes it a lightweight choice. Great choice to use with your DSLR. Capable of recording up to 24 bit/96 kHz. Included with a shock mount helps to mount your camera easily. Adjustable with a device having a 3.5mm jack. Foam Windscreen to reduce wind sound. One touch control of buttons. Runs with 2 AAA batteries.
PROS:
Excellent build quality. Records great. Buttons are easy. Do not have a plastic body. Compact size and versatile
CONS:
The battery door is flimsy. The micro SD slot is placed inconveniently.
6. Movo VXR3031 Shotgun Microphone
The Movo VXR3031 Shotgun Microphone is a great choice to be mounted on cameras. It is typically omnidirectional so that it gets the ability to pick up sound coming from different directions. The super-cardioid polar pattern delivers direction and characteristics to focus on the sound that is coming from the front. This makes sure to reduce the background noise. It includes a 3.5 MM cable which is permanently attached to the mic so that you don’t have to keep worrying about losing it. Any device with standard 3.5mm input can be used with this. Included with two switches present on the rear part of the camera help you to get simpler control. It is a three-stage slider to optimize signal gain. The 2AA battery power is this shotgun microphone for up to 120 hours. You can use the power switch when you’re not using the microphone. Designed with a dedicated LED will indicate to you about switching off and on. This shotgun microphone features a four-point suspension mount. It is capable of efficient setup, simple use and reducing noise that comes from vibration while handling the camera. The bottom part of this shock mount has a camera shoe that ensures secure attachment with a tripod or camera. It also has a foam windshield that can reduce unwanted wind noise from fans, air-conditioners, heaters and breezes. Irrespective of where you want to shoot, this shotgun microphone is capable of capturing crystal clear voice. You can easily use this microphone with any device equipped with the 3.5 MM TRRS jack. So, you can use this with cameras, DSLRs and camcorders. Apart from this, the one-year warranty provided by the manufacturer Gives you the peace of mind that you require while buying. FEATURES:
Powered with a 2AA battery that keeps it running for 120 hours. Constructed with ABS materials for the ultimate experience. Supercardioid polar patterns to capture clear sound. It weighs only 132 grams which makes it easy to carry. Compatible with any device with a 3.5mm jack. Foam windshield to reduce wind noise. Four-point suspension mount with bottom shock mount. Furry and foam windscreen to reduce noise.
PROS:
Works great. It picks up sound very well. Comes with great capabilities.
CONS:
The battery dies faster.
7. BOYA Shotgun Microphone
The BOYA Shotgun Microphone is an excellent choice if you are looking for a battery-powered microphone. It requires a 2AA battery that can power this microphone and helps you to use it for your desired purpose. It also has a power indicator that will continuously remind you about the battery’s power status. It has super cardioid audio technology that is capable of focusing sound coming from the front of the microphone. Thus, it is capable of eliminating any type of background noise and capturing accurate and clear audio. This microphone has been designed to help the users get every control that they require. It has an 80 Hz high pass filter that is capable of minimizing low background noise. It also has three levels of gain control to help you improve the audio quality. It is a good choice for use in different environments and on any device. This microphone comes with a 3.5 MM built-in headphone jack that helps you use it with any device. Whether you are using a camcorder, recorder, android, tablets, laptops, iPads or cameras with a 3.5 MM microphone jack, you can use this for your desired purposes. It includes a shock mount to help you mount on any device without feeling the vibration while you’re on the go. It also has a ¼ cold shoe mount on its base to eradicate any kind of vibration while you’re shooting outdoors. Included with fur and foam windscreen, eliminate any kind of noise from wind that can interrupt your A/V. Additionally, the two years of warranty offered by the manufacturer helps you to get the reliability and confidence of buying it. FEATURES:
The shotgun mic is powered with 2AA batteries. Battery indicator status. Super cardioid mic helps to capture the front sound. Three levels of gain control. Minimize low-frequency noise. Compatible with any device with 3.5mm jack input. Shock mount and ¼ cold shoe mount to reduce vibrations. Fur windscreen to eliminate the noise of the wind.
PROS:
Works perfectly. Picks up a great sound. Best size for a DSLR. Strong build. The 2AA batteries provide great backup.
CONS:
Batteries are not included in the package.
8. Deity V-Mic Directional On-Camera Mic
The Deity V-Mic D3 Pro Super offers noteworthy performance when it comes to producing the best sound quality. Whether you want to mount it on smartphones, portable recorders or cameras, this fantastic shotgun camera can produce excellent audio quality. It is incorporated with a microprocessor that can automatically adapt to the 3.5 MM connector. This makes it suitable for different devices. The microphone features a step-less analog game dial. It is integrated with bump guards that prevent it from getting rotated accidentally. It is integrated with gain on the linear scale so that you can dial the exact amount to boost your shot. It is included with low off-axis coloration, which provides both experienced and novice videographers to capture excellent audio quality in a variety of surroundings. It makes use of the 320 mAH lithium battery that gives Power to this microphone to run up to 51 hours. So, whenever you need it, you can simply plug in the Power, and it is ready to help you. The internal battery is rechargeable with USB, which takes approximately two hours. It also has a power LED indicator and switch that shows low power mode. FEATURES:
Super cardioid polar pattern grabs optimum sound quality. Durable metal construction. Extremely lightweight with 143g only. Internal rechargeable battery that runs for 50 hours. Easy two-step buttons. Low battery alert LED indicators. Rycote adjustable cold-shoe mount reduces vibration.
PROS:
The mic works well. Affordable price. LED indicators are extremely helpful.
CONS:
The cables provided might not work on cameras.
Buying Guide For Best On-Camera Mic
Now that you have acquired some details about the best on-camera mic, hopefully, buying will be a lot easier. Since we have already mentioned the basic specifications of these microphones and their advantages, you can easily make an informed decision. However, if you want to look for other microphones which are not mentioned on the list, you have to make sure that you check every detail in specific. So, here we will check out a comprehensive buying guide to determine the factors you must consider while choosing a good on-camera mic.
Polar pattern: If you want a quality microphone, you have to make sure that you check the polar pattern of the on-camera microphone. There are three different polar patterns which include omnidirectional, unidirectional and bidirectional. Unidirectional is further divided into three different categories, and here we have mainly focused on the cardioid polar pattern, which has the capability of grasping sound coming from the front position. It is greatly beneficial in eliminating noise from the surroundings and capturing quality sound. Shock protection: if you wish to get the best sound quality, you have to make sure that the microphone has been included with proper shock mounts so that it can eliminate vibration. This is especially true for people who are always on the go and have to use their microphone with their camera. With a bottom and general shock protection, it can become a great choice to use with the camera and make sure to eliminate vibrations from the camera while running around. Build quality: You should definitely pay attention to the build quality as it has a significant significance with the weight of the product. Make sure that it has robust build quality with a very portable weight that helps you mount it easily on the camera or smartphone you are using. You can look for aluminium built or other ABS plastic built to acquire portability. Power source: The next most important thing that you must consider is the power source of the on-camera microphone. Most commonly, you will find the inclusion of batteries, while other times, they have been designed with rechargeable batteries. Based on your requirement, you can choose a microphone that will help you to fulfil your purpose without hampering your work. Compatibility: Compatibility is one of the significant factors that come into play when you’re choosing a microphone. Since you will be using smartphones or cameras or DSLRs, it is always better that you look for devices that have 3.5 MM Jack import. It will be helpful in making diverse use of the microphone. Compatibility is a major requirement as you don’t want to regret it after buying due to the microphone not being compatible with the device. So, check the device that you will be using with the mic, and then choose your on-camera microphone.
Conclusion:
You probably have an idea about the basic factors you require considering when you choose an on-camera mic. However, if you’re looking for the top three expert recommendations, check out the following, find them.
BOYA by-MM1 On-Camera Shotgun Microphone has a weight of only 0.18 kg, which makes it super easy to use. The unidirectional technology helps to pick up the sound that comes from in front of the mic. You can easily use this with any device that has a 3.5 MM port. You required the 3.5 MM TRRS connector. A detachable shock mount from Rycote Lyre eliminates noise. Sennheiser Professional MKE 400 Directional On-Camera Shotgun Microphone provides the next-generation sound experience. Featuring shock absorption quality provides the best clarity even in noisy environments. Super cardioid polar pattern that helps to capture every single detail. The inbuilt low-cut filter and the three-step sensitivity switch control any environment. Movo VXR3031 Shotgun Microphone is powered with a 2AA battery that keeps it running for 120 hours. It has the Supercardioid polar patterns to capture clear sound. The foam windshield reduces surrounding noise, and the four-point suspension mount with the bottom shock mount eliminates vibration.
So from the information mentioned above, it will become easier for you to choose the best on-camera mic you can use for your desired purposes. Comment * Name * Email * Website
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