CompactClick supported by its audience. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.

10 Best Shotgun Microphones for DSLR: Options to Consider in 2023

The one thing I see many videographers, content creators, and even rising filmmakers confused about is shotgun mics. They just can’t seem to figure out which one to use for what, and which will be the best for their requirements. That’s without costing them a kidney.

I also struggled with the same confusion during my starting years as a YouTuber, but over the years, and after working with many talented content creators, I’ve finally found a handful of really good shotgun microphones to use with my DSLR.

But before we start off, if you’re totally new in this area, you might be wondering why an external shotgun microphone is needed for a DSLR in the first place. Can’t the camera’s mic itself do the trick?

The answer is no, it can’t. First of all, the built-in microphone of the camera is not a fully functional mic designed for recording high-quality audio. It does not block off ambient noises and distortion.

Moreover, the motor of the camera and the lens themselves cause some noises that are not blocked out by the camera’s mic. So, in order to get a clear, noise-free, dynamic, and rich sound, you must use a shotgun mic with your DSLR if you’re shooting a video.

So, without wasting any more time blabbering, here is a list of the very best shotgun mics in my opinion.

Recommending You Top-Rated Shotgun Mics for DSLR

BEST CHOICE

Rode VideoMicPro Compact Directional On-Camera Microphone with Rycote Lyre Shockmount

Rode VideoMicPro

BEST VALUE

Rode VideoMic GO Light Weight On-Camera Microphone

Rode VideoMic GO

PREMIUM PICK

Rode VideoMic Pro+ Compact Directional On-Camera Shotgun Condenser Microphone

Rode VideoMic Pro+

In this section, you’ll find some of the brands and their products that I’ve used over the years. These machines gave me the level of performance I wanted without flinching. That’s why I want to give something back. It’s time for me to tell you about my arsenal of shotgun microphones in brief reviews.

1. Rode VideoMic Pro+

Rode VideoMic Pro+ Compact Directional On-Camera Shotgun Condenser Microphone

The name of this mic itself tells that it has been specially constructed for recording videos. It rightly serves its purpose. Built with the best in class Rycote Lyre suspension system, the VideoMic Pro+ is an updated version of the VideoMic Pro that has a capsule/line tube and windshield.

This thing is capable of catching audio signals from all its surroundings. But that’s not all of it. The upgraded version has an array of entirely new features that weren’t present in its previous version.

For a start, it is equipped with an innovative new digital switching feature. This feature enables you to capture the finest audio signal from the source, while on the other hand, the 2-stage high pass filter reduces low frequencies such as the rumble from traffic or air conditioning.

This will reduce the time and energy that you had to spend behind editing and post-processing your sound after recording. Overall, an excellent tool for both indoor and outdoor recording.

There is also the automatic power function which sticks strictly to its moto; run and gun, by powering the mic on the moment you plug it in and powering it off right when you unplug it from the camera.

The benefit of this is that you face less difficulty to start recording right when you want to, and it also allows you to quickly pack things up and rush if there is rain or snow.

The mic is powered by an RØDE LB-1 Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Battery which is included with the package. But on top of that, it can also be powered by 2 AA batteries that you can buy from any superstore. If you need continuous power, the mic can also be powered directly from a power source using a USB cable.

Plus, there is the built-in battery door that makes changing the batteries easy and a lot less time-consuming, and it does not get lost too.

Rode VideoMic Pro+

Things That I Liked

  • Highly directional cardioid polar pattern
  • 2-stage high-pass filter available at 80Hz, in addition with 3-stage gain control with +20dB function
  • Various power options including a RØDE LB-1 Lithium-Ion Rechargeable 9 Volt battery that is included in the package, or 2 AA batteries, or even USB
  • Automatic Power Function (with plug-in power availability)

Things That Need Improvement

  • Windscreen works only for light wind

2. Rode VideoMic Pro

Rode VideoMicPro Compact Directional On-Camera Microphone with Rycote Lyre Shockmount

Since I did mention the VideoMic Pro in the previous short review, you’re probably thinking of Googling it and checking it out too. Let me assure you, that it is also a very good mic. Before the arrival of the VideoMic Pro+, this has been my all-time favorite for a long time.

The design and construction of this mic are pretty similar to that of the VideoIc Pro+, with some minor differences. One of them being is that it does not have the automatic power on and off feature. But that does not turn out to be such a big deal due to some other extraordinary features that it offers.

The mic is specially designed for camcorders, DSLR cameras and portable audio recorders as primary and reference audio. Its innovative capsule construction helps to lower noise while increasing sensitivity.

As a result, it provides broadcast-quality audio via a 3.5mm connector, even that with an incredibly low self-noise of just 14db. 

The one thing about this mic that really impressed me was the mounting system. It can be mounted using the Rycote Lyre based shock mounting system.

It remains undisturbed by external factors that cause distortion such as wind or rumble or air conditioning sounds that cause unwanted vibrations.

This little mic uses a standard sized shoe mount when mounting on a camera and also features an additional 3/8-inch thread in the base of the mount. You can use it to easily mount it on a boom pole.

Another thing that makes the mic extremely user-friendly is its accessible controls. All of the necessary controls including the power, filter, and level controls are situated at the rear face of the microphone.

As a result, they are easy to reach and use. Just below that, there are the level settings that attenuate or boost the recorded level as required.

Last but not the least, the microphone has an exceptionally long battery life with a standard 9 Volt battery providing 70 hours of runtime on a single battery. The battery is not included with the package though, but you can find it at almost any camera store.

Rode VideoMic Pro

Things That I Liked

  • Long l battery life
  • Super effective noise filters
  • Supercardioid polar pickup pattern
  • Innovative capsule design
  • Ultra-compact and lightweight
  • Camera shoe mount with 3/8” thread makes boompole mounting easy

Things That Need Improvement

  • Windscreen only works for light wind
  • Batteries not included with the package

3.a Shure VP83F

Shure VP83F LensHopper Camera-Mounted Condenser Microphone with Integrated Flash Recording

Shure mics have always had something special about them that keeps video and audio content creators lean towards them amidst so many mics in the market.

Likewise, the VP83F boasts of some exceptional qualities that landed it among my recommendations of the best shotgun microphones for DSLR. Let me tell you in detail about them.

Instead of using an omnidirectional pickup pattern that is available with most shotgun mics, this one uses a super-cardioid/lobar polar pattern. The reason behind this is, the omnidirectional pickup patterns tend to pick up sound from all directions, yielding too much ambiance and noise.

The supercardioid/lobar polar pattern in the VP83F focuses solely on the sound in front of the mic while attenuating portions of side- and rear-entry sound.

You may also like:  Why Need an External Mic for DSLR Cameras?

The mic has a built-in integrated audio recorder of its own, which lets you capture 24-bit / 48 kHz WAV files to a MicroSD-HC that is separately available (with a maximum range of 32Gb, class 6 or higher), alongside recording the VP83’s output to your camera.

This way, even if the audio cable gets disconnected or the camera settings are misconfigured, the VP83F continues to record. A MicroSD-HC card with 2GB of storage will yield up to 64 hours of recording time.

Then you can transfer titled and timestamped WAV files to a computer using an SD card adapter or USB adapter, both of which are available separately.

One of the challenges for a videographer is to get the optimal level of sound cutting out all noise and distortion, at the moment. This mic features an adjustable microphone gain and camera output volume that does the trick for you.

One can easily apply up to 60 dB of mic gain in 1 dB increments, and then choose from three camera output volume settings according to your preferences and camera compatibility.

Shure VP83F

Things That I Liked

  • Integrated Audio Recorder
  • Focused Pickup Pattern
  • Digital flash memory with up to 32 GB micro SD card
  • Ergonomic, five-positiu8on advanced control lever
  • Adjustable Mic Gain and Camera Output Level
  • Backlit LCD Screen
  • Durable Metal Construction

Things That Need Improvement

  • Some preamps cause a muffled hissing noise

3.b Shure VP83

Shure VP83 LensHopper Camera-Mounted Condenser Microphone for use with DSLR Cameras and HD Camcorders

As you might have already guessed, this is an older version of the VP83F. But it’s still popular amongst videographers for its own reasons. It is pretty similar to the newer version, with some minor differences.

Just like the new model, this one also has a focused pickup pattern that focuses on the sound coming from the front of the mic. This maintains a perfect dynamic balance between the sound coming from the main sound source and the ambient sounds coming from the surroundings. 

The sensitive condenser capsule and the low-noise electronics of the mic come together to produce more detailed audio. All the while, keeping the annoying ‘hissing’ sounds produced by the built-in microphone in cameras to a bare minimum.

The other thing that makes it the videographer’s best friend is its easy camera connection. There is a coiled cable attached to the VP83 that provides an efficient hookup to your camera, saving you the trouble of manual cable management.

The cable’s 3.5mm TRS plug is wired in dual mono, which delivers the mic signal identically to both input channels on your DSLR camera or portable recorder.

Just like the VP83F, this one also has the bass roll-off. The function of this feature is to roll off bass frequencies without compromising the integrity of midrange and high frequencies.

This means you get highly intelligible audio frequencies without the vibrations coming from traffic and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems that produce low-frequency noises and ruin your recording.

There is an integrated Rycote Lyre shock mount that isolates the mic from vibrations and mechanical/handling noise. The shock mount has been made versatile and compatible with a camera shoe mount that has a ¼”-20 thread.

This allows you to simply attach the mic onto your DSLR camera and get going with your recording.

Shure VP83

Things That I Liked

  • High sensitivity and low self-noise with wide frequency range for natural audio reproduction
  • Highly directional supercardioid / lobar polar pattern
  • Superior RF immunity that avoids unwanted audio artifacts from cellular and RF devices
  • Easily accessible controls at the back of the microphone
  • Low-cut filter to eliminate background noise and room ambience

Things That Need Improvement

  • Windscreen is not 100% windproof

4. Rode VideoMic

Rode VideoMic with Fuzzy Windjammer Kit

This is the oldest product of the VideoMic series and is often referred to as an innovation in the history of shotgun mics. This was the first shotgun mic manufactured by Rode that introduced a super-cardioid polar pattern and a bass roll-off. 

The mic has a selectable pad that you can use to adjust signal levels according to your requirement.

You can switch to the -10dB option when audio frequencies from loud sound sources tend to distort your recording. You can also use the -20dB position to prevent extreme input levels from clipping causing clipping.

Or, you can even select the flat setting when you’re routing the mic into a dedicated high-quality preamp. All this, just with the help of a single selectable pad feature offered by your shotgun mic.

Another great advantage of this mic is the diverse connectivity options that it offers.

It can be made compatible with most devices with the help of some Rode accessories such as the SC4 and VXLR adapters.

The SC4 is a short cable that lets you connect the VideoMic directly to a smartphone or tablet equipped with a 3.5mm TRRS jack. The VXLR adapter is the ideal solution when you want to record the VideoMic to a camcorder or mixer that has XLR inputs.

The videoMic has huge battery life. And by ‘Huge’ I mean offering a 100-hour operating time huge. Yep, that’s right. The mic gives you 100 hours of performance just after popping in a single 9V battery.

There is a dedicated LED that indicates how much power it has left by changing colors from green to red. When it turns red, it means the battery percentage is low and you need to change the battery.

The VideoMic can still function for approximately one hour once the power indicator turns red, but performance will be compromised. However, there’s the power switch that you can use to conserve battery life during the times when the mic is not in use.

Rode VideoMic

Things That I Liked

  • Lightweight, portable, and compact
  • Affordable
  • User-friendly
  • Removable cable (if something breaks)

Things That Need Improvement

  • Doesn’t work with every camera (requires a low voltage from the camera)

5. TAKSTAR SGC-598

TAKSTAR SGC-598 Interview Microphone for Nikon/Canon Camera/DV Camcorder

Here’s a shotgun mic manufactured by a not-so-popular brand. But this mic itself is the proof that brand name is not everything, and even new manufacturers can make great products.

This ordinary looking mic has some extraordinary qualities about it that I just could not overlook and had to add it to my list of the best shotgun microphones for DSLR.

Before I start telling you in detail about this mic, let me give you a fun little trivia about it. The pickup pattern of this mic is heart-shaped. The benefit of this is that it can effectively reduce the noise of the surrounding environment from being picked up. Cool, isn’t it?

First things first, let me tell you what this beauty is built for. It is specially designed for use as a condenser mic with a DSLR camera to enhance the quality of the audio you record. It has a 10dB sensitivity enhancement and 200Hz low-frequency attenuation.

This frequency count meets the different field Co-use perfectly. And you can simply fix it onto your camera using standard universal connector specifications.

The build quality of this mic is exceptionally good for a mic so inexpensive. It is built to perfection with a selection of alloy materials and a sturdy solid design. The design is shock-resistant and it specifically works on reducing the mechanical noise of the camera.

It also blocks out vibrations coming from other sources. The ergonomic design and solid construction of the mic work actively and effectively to shield electromagnetic interference while you’re recording.

Unlike all the other mics featured on this list so far, this one is powered by a 1.5V AA alkaline battery that serves up to 100 hours of operating time. Although the battery is not included with the package, you will find it in any superstore or electronics store.

It also has an indicator that shows how much there is left in the battery.

TAKSTAR SGC-598

Things That I Liked

  • Heart-shaped pickup pattern
  • 1.5V AA alkaline battery-powered, with a battery life of up to 100 hours
  • Shock-resistant structural design that reduces mechanical noises produced by the camera and other sound sources

Things That Need Improvement

You may also like:  10 Best Lavalier Microphones You Can Go for in 2023
  • No battery included

6. Sennheiser MKE 400

Sennheiser MKE 400 Shotgun Microphone - Black, MKE 400 Microphone

There is something about Sennheiser microphones that keeps us going back to them no matter what type of content we create. Apart from quality sound, they have that assurance of durability and being worth your money in every aspect. The MKE 400 is no exception.

The mic has a super-cardioid/lobar polar pattern that effectively captures sound signals directly from sources in front of the mic while attenuating side- and rear-entry sound.

Low-noise electronics and a sensitive condenser element allow allows this microphone to deliver more detailed audio than the mics typically found in cameras and portable recorders.

One of its many good sides is the easy connectivity it offers. The MKE 400 has a permanently attached coiled cable to ensure fast hookup to your camera without any excess cable slack.

Atop of that, the cable’s 3.5mm TRS plug comes with an automatic dual-manual configuration that routes identical signals to both input channels on your camera or portable recorder. You can sync the audio and the video together seamlessly after editing and post-processing.

If you’re planning to record with professional quality output, then the one thing that is crucial is avoiding distortion. The MKE 400 offers an adjustable sensitivity that provides two settings to optimize the mic’s audio signal volume. They are; the normal sensitivity and the high sensitivity.

Normal sensitivity is recommended for when you’re recording from normal to loud sources using devices that have a high input sensitivity. The high sensitivity Is for the times when you’re recording from quiet sources or using a camera that has a low input sensitivity.

The foam windscreen that comes with the mic is specially designed to lessen undesirable wind noise from breezes, fans, heaters, and air conditioners. This should block out most of the normal environmental distortions getting into your audio.

If you require a more noise canceling windscreen, you can choose a furry one.

Sennheiser MKE 400

Things That I Liked

  • Small, lightweight, and compact design
  • Good capture pattern
  • Useful wind filter

Things That Need Improvement

  • No power indicator
  • The cord sometimes tends to get in the way on cameras with a small distance between the accessory shoe and the mic jack

7. Rode VideoMic NTG

Rode VideoMic NTG On-Camera Shotgun Microphone

Another shotgun mic by Rode. This time it’s another model of the VideoMic series, but with a twist. It’s an NTG mic. This means that it has borrowed its design from the NTGs. It’s got a super versatile connector that’s compatible with any recording device (DSLR, audio recorder, or even a laptop or smartphone!).

For this reason, it is called the swiss army knife of shotgun microphones.

This mic was designed as a do-it-all tool that will take away your trouble of switching mics every time you change the setup of your recording. With this single mic, you can record voiceovers, musical sessions, podcasts, and even stream live.

You can simply connect the mic to your DSLR, or portable recorder, or mobile device via the included TRRS cable. The VideoMic NTG’s auto-sensing 3.5mm TRRS will automatically switch between TRS and TRRS as necessary.

This means you won’t be needing an additional adapter cable to connect it to your device. And since it has a full USB microphone like personality, can even plug it into your device using a USB cable. One can then start recording directly using your favorite recording software.

Its integrated analog-to-digital converter operates at 24-bit / 48 kHz to provide a full-resolution, uncompressed audio quality.

Just like a good shotgun mic should, this one also uses a super-cardioid polar pattern. This focuses on the front and records all audio signals coming from the main sound source. All the while, reducing the unwanted sounds made by other sources.

Since it is even more sensitive than the VideoMic Pro+ model, it requires less gain to achieve an equivalent signal level to match with its sensitivity.

The body of the mic features acoustic perforations instead of the linear slots traditionally used in shotgun microphones, a technology called the ‘annular line tube’ which is commonly seen in Rode’s NTG microphones that are known for their performance and delivery of a transparent, natural, and uncolored sound.

Rode VideoMic NTG

Things That I Liked

  • Highly compatible with a lot of devices
  • RF rejection to prevent interference
  • Comes with shock mount
  • Wide range of output levels
  • Records a "safety channel" at a lower level

Things That Need Improvement

  • Shotgun supercardioid pattern may not suit all recording needs
  • Can use more accessories for studio and mobile device use

8. Canon DM-E1

Canon Directional Microphone DM-E1 (Black)

It must be quite surprising to find out that Canon, a brand so well-known for making world-class cameras is also manufacturing microphones. But let me assure you, the DM-E1 is an ideal specimen of all the best shotgun microphones for DSLR I’ve come across so far.

The manufacturers made this mic, especially for Canon EOS digital cameras. It features multiple directional controls, shock mount construction, a bundled Wind Screen, and a lot more.

The small yet powerful mic is capable of strengthening the audio quality on videos of virtually any subject. Well, as long as you’re using it with a Canon EOS digital camera that has a microphone jack.

Since this mic is so tiny and portable, it’s pretty obvious that it was designed to go with all sorts of shooting needs. There are various modes each assigned for a different task.

The shotgun mode picks up sound in a narrow band in front of the camera, making it suitable for dialogue or single musical instruments. If you’re doing a single narrative or solo performance, this mode is ideal for that.

The 90° Stereo mode focuses on audio from a single subject primarily while adding in some additional adjacent sound on either side of the subject. IF you’re shooting a documentary where you’ll be interviewing several people at once, or group musical performance, or perhaps people talking at a party. Then, use this mode to get the best audio recording.

The 120° Stereo mode gathers a far wider angle of sound, which is ideal for capturing audio from a large area like a backyard wedding reception or a large band playing on stage.

This mic efficiently utilizes (and saves) its battery power. It’s powered by a single, easily replaceable CR2032 button-type battery (included). It saves your camera’s battery power by not staying dependent on the camera’s battery anymore.

Not only that, but the mic is also smart enough to save its own battery as well. The mic can be conveniently turned on and off using the camera’s power button. This allows you to save its battery from running down when you’re not using the camera.

Canon DM-E1

Things That I Liked

  • Easy to use
  • Good quality audio
  • Long battery life

Things That Need Improvement

  • For primary sound, you will have to be close to the subject

9. Rode VideoMic GO

Rode VideoMic GO Light Weight On-Camera Microphone

Before you give me slack about it, here's one from Rode’s VideoMic series, the Videomic GO. It shares a lot of similarities with the original VideoMic, but with some variations that makes it all the more convenient and versatile.

The mic connects via a detachable 4.5mm coiled cable to your camera and the pickup pattern is also pretty similar to that of the VideoMic.

This one also features a super-cardioid polar pattern to focus on sound in front of it while attenuating sound from the sides and rear. It is also equipped with active electronics and directional condenser elements that deliver much more detailed audio compared to the mics that are built-in with the cameras and portable recorders.

Many shock mounts need to be attached using a rubber band, and that causes the band to snap and stretch, making it get looser by the days. Understanding this problem, Rode chose to integrate a rugged Rycote Lyre suspension-style shock mount for this mic.

This simplifies the setup of the mic and inhibits the transfer of vibrations from the camera. Alongside the shock mount, the mic also features a camera shoe mount with a 3/8” thread that can be attached effortlessly to your camera or a boom pole.

You may also like:  11 Best Microphones for YouTube Vlogging: 2023 Edition

When it comes to power options, the VideoMic Go frees you from the hassle of keeping extra batteries with you, or even charging an internal one, as it requires no batteries.

You can just plug it into your device and then enable the plugin power option of your device. The mic will be powered directly by the battery of your device.

The mic supports a bunch of adapters of various kinds, such as Rode’s own SC4, SC7, and VXLR. If you’re using either of the SC4 or SC7 adapters, you can connect the VideoMic GO directly to a smartphone or tablet that has a 3.5mm TRRS jack.

The VXLR+ adapter is the ideal solution when you want to record the VideoMic GO to a camcorder or mixer that has XLR inputs.

Rode VideoMic GO

Things That I Liked

  • Easy Hookup to camera
  • Integrated shock mount that Inhibits vibrations
  • Runs on plug-In power

Things That Need Improvement

  • Windscreen not fully windproof

10. Rode VideoMicro

Rode VideoMicro Compact On-Camera Microphone with Rycote Lyre Shock Mount

This is probably the tiniest, cutest shotgun mic out there. But don’t go by its size. This baby is a monster disguised as beauty. In fact, the size of this mic adds up as one of its benefits.

It’s just 3’ long and weighs only about 1.5 ounces. The body of the mic is made of high-quality aluminum that aids in RF rejection. The body is also coated with ceramic that mitigates glare.

Despite being so tiny, this mic has all the qualities of an ideal shotgun mic. It picks up sounds from a focused sound source in the front instead of picking up all the noise from all directions. It has a detachable coiled cord with a 3.5mm jack that goes into most cameras and mobile devices.

It sends audio signals identically to both input channels of your camera or portable recorder using its dual-mono configuration.

The detachable shock mount makes mounting the mic on a camera easy and without the hassle of the rubber band strap which often tends to get loose or snap. It inhibits the transfer of vibrations from the body of the camera to the mic, so you get noiseless recording.

The shock mount also offers a camera shoe mount in the bottom with a 3.8’ thread that can be used for mounting it to a boom pole. 

It runs on plug-in power, so you don’t need batteries or anything to power it. Just plug it onto your device and let the battery of your device power it. You don’t even need to charge it or anything.  Honestly, it saved a lot of time and hassle for me.

In addition to all its VideoMic qualities, the VideoMicro features a furry DeadCat windshield that minimizes all unwanted wind noise or the noise coming from breezes, fans, heaters, and air conditioners. In other words, all HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) sounds.

In a nutshell, everything you’d expect from a good shotgun mic is offered by this one. A miniature version of the VideoMic GO, the VideoMicro is a dream come true for many videographers with smaller cameras.

Rode VideoMicro

Things That I Liked

  • Small, compact design
  • Rugged Rycote Lyre construction
  • Good sound quality
  • No batteries required
  • Furry windshield for extra protection from wind and noises

Things That Need Improvement

  • Needs additional adapters to connect to certain devices

Buying a Shotgun Mic? Here Are A Few Things to Remember

If you’re buying a shotgun mic for the first time and you’re as confused as I was when I went to the store to buy my first one, here is some heads up that you ought to be keeping in mind to get the best service for your money:

Size Does Matter

There are various sizes of shotgun mics that are designed for different purposes. Since this article is all about shotgun mics that go with DSLR cameras, I will stay focused on mics that are specially designed for them.

Although there are some mics that were intended to be used with compact cameras but work great with DSLR cameras as well. The good thing about compact shotgun mics is that they are proportionately sized to match with your camera.

This makes carrying and handling these microphones super easy and efficient as well. When buying a mic, make sure to check if the size of the mic is suitable for use under conditions that you mostly shoot in.

Integrated Audio Recorders

Sometimes, an additional audio recorder is used to get a more detailed sound with more dynamics.

There are some mics that come with a built-in integrated audio recorder. If you are looking for a mic to record the tiniest details of sound with the most bit rates, like a concert with a lot of instruments playing, then you should definitely choose a mic that has a built-in integrated audio recorder.

See IF It’s Boom pple Friendly

Boom poles are amazing. They are a very useful tool that most videographers use when shooting a subject that has a sound source That needs to be recorded from a distance, like wildlife scenery or something. If you get too close to the subject, you might scare it away.

For this reason, most videographers use a boom pole to get the sound from a distance. Make sure the mic you are buying a shotgun that is compatible and suitable for use with a boom pole.

Polar Patterns

The reason why we choose shotgun mics over the built-in mics of our cameras is that the polar pattern of a shotgun mic focuses on the audio signals coming from the main sound source. I mean, any source that's located in the front of the microphone.

This reduces the noises caused by other sound sources and makes your audio more detailed.

XLR Mics, Connectors, and Adapters

If you have a camera with XLR inputs, you can use it with XLR outputs, a feature that mini-plugs seem to lack. The advantage of this is that an XLR connection uses a balanced signal, which lends itself to lower noise for longer cable runs.

Another hidden surprise some XLR outputs offer is, "Locks." The locks reduce the chance of your mic getting disconnected from the camera in the middle of your recording.

Sensitivity and SPL-Handling Capability

Sensitivity is the standard that tells us how quiet an audio signal can be while it is still recognized and recorded by the mic. The lower the number, the more sensitive the microphone is. SPL stands for “Sound Pressure level” and is expressed in decibels (dB).

It’s a measurement that tells the maximum volume that the mic can still identify and record. It’s the exact opposite of sensitivity. A good mic should have a good balance between these two aspects.

Attenuation Switch

The function of an attenuation switch is to reduce the output level of the mic to a certain extent (usually -10dB or -20dB), causing the mic to become between four and sixteen times quieter than normal.

This function is needed for recording from multiple sound sources that give out sound frequencies of different volumes. The louder the sound is at the source, the quieter your mic needs to be.

Choosing a mic that offers this function will save you a lot of time and effort that you otherwise had to spend behind balancing the sound while post-processing the sound you recorded.

Let’s Put an End to the Discussion

If you’ve made it through to the end of my article on Best Shotgun Microphones for DSLR, kudos to you. It’s really been a journey getting to use these products and getting to write about the positives and negatives. I’ve tried to be as honest as possible here without masking any inconveniences.

If you ask me, “What’s your favorite from the list?” I’ll find it tough to answer with so many options at hand. If you absolutely insist, I’d say the products from Rode VidMicro Series make good cases for themselves.

These mics are specifically made for DSLRs unlike products that offer DSLR connectivity as an “Add On” feature with the rest. You’ll find the benefits and the warranty with the products to be lucrative as well.

However, it’s entirely possible that this list doesn’t cater to you guys specifically. That’s why I’ve put in a buying guide that will help you in researching and coming up with your own solution to the “Shotgun Microphone for DSLR” problem. Let me know in the comments if I’ve been able to help.

Compact click logo

Contact

9, Jalan 6/9, Seksyen 79, 59769 Taman Desa, Kuala Lumpur

+6017-867-8904

© 2023 Compact Click