How do you choose a good mic for your video camera? It can be quite baffling even if you are a professional camera buff. After having put up with the inbuilt video camera mic for a long time you conclude that you require an external condenser microphone.
An inbuilt microphone simply will not give you the kind of audio that would complement your top quality video footage. If you decide to check out shotgun microphone reviews you wind up with loads of Camcorder microphone reviews which leave you more baffled than ever before.
Sony or Rode or Audio-Technica
It is not easy to make an definitive decision based on the different suggestions. The range of makes & models is quite a lot. You have Sennheiser, Canon, Audio-Technica, Rode, Sony & even more companies trying to get your attention. Models range from Rode's Videomic Directional Shotguns, Sennheiser's MKE 400, Canon's DM 100 and much more.
The number one question is, where do you shoot? The crucial point that should influence your choice is the environment where you would be making your video.
Is it the outdoors? Like if you're capturing wildlife in their natural habitat, the adding of true to life sounds will take your video footage to a different strata altogether making it seem more top-class, even if you are just an novice filming for pleasure.
If you mostly shoot indoors, where you film a stage performance in a concert hall or maybe an interview, the right type of shotgun microphone would minus out all the nearby noise giving you clear audio to accompany the superb footage that most Camcorders provide nowadays.
External Video Camera Microphones are broadly classified into 2 types:
* Shotgun Microphones
* Cardioid Microphones
There are further sub-classifications of Shotgun and Cardioid Microphones. Hyper-Cardioid, Super Cardioid etc. Mostly, a Camcorder microphone is either a Shotgun or a Cardioid. But there are some video camera microphones which are a bit of both - you can choose the depth of Shotgun or Cardioid that you desire.
Broadly, it can be said that Shotgun microphones are for picking up long range audio, like when you are filming wildlife and Cardioid microphones are better suited for near range applications.
The power source is also a factor in making a decision. Does your microphone have its own power source or does it get its power supply from the Video Camera? You may end up spending much more than you had bargained for if you have to keep buying new batteries for your external microphone.
The weight of the microphone is another factor mostly ignored by first-time buyers. But a bulky and heavy microphone could be a great hindrance especially if you are going to be filming long hours in the outdoors.
Do not forget to check the length of the microphone you propose to get. You may like that long, no-nonsense type of external microphone. But do ensure that it does not protrude beyond the front of your Camcorder and become a spoiling item in your frame of view.
At the end of the day, it's finally the price that is going to be the deciding factor. Go for the best camcorder microphone in your price range. You should be able to get a super microphone for less than $250.
In general, the more costly camcorder microphones are some what a better choice and come with a lot more features. For instance when you film outdoors you need a sound screen to keep out the wind noise. These are also called Deadcat windscreens and you should ensure your chosen microphone comes with one. Otherwise, you may need to buy a Deadcat separately adding to the cost.