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While DSLR cameras have long held their place as a standard tool in the business world, their video capabilities might not be as widely recognized. Enter the realm of Best DSLR Microphones, and you’ll find a game-changing twist in the world of video shooting. They’ve revolutionized the art of recording, evolving from being seen as a potential hazard to pushing the boundaries of what’s achievable with a traditional camcorder.
Whether you are making a video blog, something for YouTube, or something even more daring, if you want to make great-looking videos, you will also need great-sounding videos. This refers to a very good microphone or device for recording sound. Most of these mics are what people call “Shotgun mics.” They only work in one way, so you have to point them at the sound source to get the best results.
Best DSLR Microphones Comparison Table
| Microphone Model | Type | Directionality | Frequency Response | Connectivity | Power Source | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rode VideoMicPro Compact | Shotgun | Super-Cardioid | 20Hz-20kHz | Wired (3.5mm jack) | 9V battery | $229 |
| Shure VP83F LensHopper | Shotgun | Supercardioid | 50Hz-20kHz | Wired (3.5mm jack) | AA battery | $349 |
| Comica CVM-V30 LITE | Shotgun | Super-Cardioid | 40Hz-20kHz | Wired (3.5mm jack) | AA battery | $48.99 |
| Rode VideoMic NTG | Shotgun | Supercardioid | 20Hz-20kHz | Wired (USB-C, Lightning, 3.5mm jack) | USB-C or Lightning, or 3.5mm jack | $249 |
| Deity D3 Pro | Shotgun | Supercardioid | 50Hz-20kHz | Wired (3.5mm jack) | Micro-USB | $199 |
| Sennheiser MKE 600 | Shotgun | Super-Cardioid/Lobar | 20Hz-20kHz | Wired (XLR) | Phantom power (48V)/battery (AA) | $329.95 |
Rode VideoMicPro Compact Directional On-Camera Microphone
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Type | Directional condenser microphone |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz – 20kHz |
| Polar Pattern | Supercardioid |
| Sensitivity | -32.0dB re 1 Volt/Pascal (20.00mV @ 94 dB SPL) +/- 2 dB @ 1kHz |
| Output Connector | 3.5mm jack |
| Battery Type | 9V battery |
| Weight | 85g |
The VideoMicPro is a Best DSLR Microphone made to work with DSLR cameras. It will also work with video cameras. It has a capsule condenser microphone that works well and makes little noise. And the sound will be good enough to be aired. It has a 3.5mm jack that lets it link to the camera.
Its super-cardioid shape cuts down on background noise so that the mic can focus on picking up the sound from the target. The built-in shock mounting cuts down on noise and shaking so that your results are as clean as possible. It is small and light so that it is easy and comfy to use. It is powered by a 9-volt battery that should last for about 70 hours.
The Good
- Excellent sound quality, small size, and light weight
- Supercardioid polar pattern provides excellent directionality
- It has a shock mount to cut down on handling noise.
- Up to 70 hours on a single charge
The Bad
- It can be hard to open and close the battery door
- The included windscreen doesn’t work very well when it’s windy.
Shure VP83F LensHopper Camera-Mounted Condenser Microphone
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Type | Shotgun condenser microphone |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz – 20kHz |
| Polar Pattern | Supercardioid |
| Sensitivity | -35 dBV/Pa (17.8mV) |
| Output Connector | 3.5mm jack |
| Battery Type | AA battery |
| Weight | 133g |
Shure knows a few things about making good mics. I think we all know that, so I’m not sure why I said it. Someone might have come from outside the Galaxy, just in case. The VP83F Lenshopper is a shotgun microphone with a condenser that is attached to the camera and will catch good sound. It was made to work with DSLR cameras, but it can also work with camcorders.
Its polar pattern is very specific, so it will cut down on noise that you don’t want. The sound is stored on MicroSDHC cards that can hold up to 32GB. These are 24-bit/48kHz WAV files. A Rycote Lyre shock device is used to make sure that vibrations and noises from the camera are kept to a minimum. It solves the problem of recording the target in different settings by having a 60Db gain range and a low cut filter. The strength can be changed in 1dB steps, which gives you full control.
The Good
- Excellent audio quality
- Design that is light and small
- Includes a digital recorder built in for backup recording
- Supercardioid polar pattern provides excellent directionality
- It has a windshield and a shock mount.
The Bad
- The battery only lasts about 10 hours.
- There is no timecode function on the digital recorder.
Comica CVM-V30 LITE
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Type | Shotgun condenser microphone |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz – 20kHz |
| Polar Pattern | Super-cardioid |
| Sensitivity | -34dB±3dB |
| Output Connector | 3.5mm jack |
| Battery Type | AAA battery |
| Weight | 46g |
Even though the Comica CVM-V30 LITE is mostly made of plastic, it weighs less than many smaller mics on the market. Once you plug the microphone into the gadget you want to use, it starts working right away. In all honesty, this microphone is great for how cheap it is. The Comica CVM-V30 LITE is a microphone that can be used with both cameras and phones.
This may seem like an odd thing to talk about, but we keep running into models that only work with smartphones or cameras, not both. So, it is a big plus. We gave this microphone a full test of its sound quality and found that it was the best of its kind. This microphone has a plug-and-play wire built right in, so you don’t even need a connector.
The Good
- Design that is light and small
- Affordable price point
- A foam windshield and a shock mount are included.
- The super-cardioid polar pattern gives the radio good directionality.
The Bad
- Compared to higher-end microphones, the sound quality can be a little bit tinny.
- It can be hard to open the battery compartment.
Rode VideoMic NTG
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Type | Shotgun condenser microphone |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz – 20kHz |
| Polar Pattern | Supercardioid |
| Sensitivity | -26dB re 1V/Pa (50mV @ 94dB SPL) +/- 1dB @ 1kHz |
| Output Connector | 3.5mm jack, USB-C |
| Battery Type | Rechargeable lithium-ion battery |
| Weight | 94g |
If you don’t care about the price, the Rode VideoMic NTG can be a great buy if you want a light Best DSLR Microphones with great sound. This microphone is light enough that you can put it in the hotshoe of your camera without having to worry about balance or fit. The microphone also has a high-quality feel because it is made of an aluminum material.
With the mic in the shock mount and the shock mount in the camera’s hotshoe, you can connect the VideoMic NTG to the camera using the SC10 connection that came with it. So, it’s a piece of cake. We found that if the Rode VideoMic NTG is set up right, it can record sound that sounds realistic and well-balanced. It also seems to be very focused, and there’s no hiss that I can hear.
The Good
- Excellent audio quality
- USB-C output to record digitally
- Lithium-ion battery that can last up to 30 hours before it needs to be charged again
- Supercardioid polar pattern provides excellent directionality
- A shock mount and a USB-C cable are included.
The Bad
- Can be a little heavier than other small shotgun microphones
- There is no headphone output for listening to music.
Deity D3 Pro
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Microphone Type | Condenser |
| Polar Pattern | Super-Cardioid |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Sensitivity | -30dBV/Pa (31.6mV) |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | 84dB |
| Maximum Sound Pressure Level | 130dB SPL |
The Deity D3 Pro is a good DSLR shotgun mic for many reasons. The stepless gain control is one of the most interesting things about it. Those who don’t know how important gain control is should know that a good gain control can make up for low signal sources and bad camera preamps and help get the right sound level.
It is even more appealing because its battery can be charged and can be used for about 50 hours. The output of the D3 Pro can be changed depending on what it is attached to, and it has both good sound and a good build.
The Good
- With a superior super-cardioid polar pattern, the pickup is very directional.
- A microprocessor is built in to manage and filter power in an intelligent way.
- Circuitry with low noise and high sensitivity make it possible to record clear audio.
- The design is small and light to make it easy to carry.
The Bad
- Needs “phantom power,” which some devices might not have.
- If used in noisy places, it might pick up some background noise.
Sennheiser MKE 600
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Microphone Type | Shotgun |
| Polar Pattern | Super-Cardioid |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz-20kHz |
| Sensitivity | -21dBV/Pa |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | 84dB |
| Maximum Sound Pressure Level | 132dB SPL |
This is a very well-built and versatile long shotgun Best DSLR Microphones that may be used for a variety of purposes. If it is attached to a camera, it can draw power from an AA battery, and if it is linked to an XLR cable, it can draw power from phantom power.
It has a high-pass filter and a hypercardioid pattern, both of which perform an excellent job of minimizing background noise. The sound that you will obtain from using this microphone will typically be clear, and it comes with a whole range of connections in addition to a foam windshield for added noise cancellation.
The Good
- The supercardioid polar pattern is very focused and picks up sound in a single direction.
- With a low-cut filter and a switchable sensitivity, you can record in many different ways.
- Rugged and long-lasting, so it can be used for a long time.
- For flexibility, there are options for both phantom power and battery power.
The Bad
- Some shotgun microphones are smaller and lighter than this one.
- Compared to some other models, it’s pricey.
FAQs
A DSLR microphone is an external microphone that can be added to a DSLR camera to improve the quality of audio recordings.
The audio from DSLR cameras’ built-in microphones is often of low quality, with background noise and bad directionality. A DSLR microphone can help you record better sound, cut down on background noise, and control the direction of sound for videos that look more professional.
When choosing a DSLR microphone, consider the type of microphone (shotgun, lavalier, or stereo), the directionality (omnidirectional, cardioid, or hypercardioid), connectivity (wired or wireless), and the microphone’s frequency response and sensitivity. You should also consider your intended use case, such as whether you will be recording interviews or outdoor footage, and how the microphone will fit into your camera setup.