As a content creator or filmmaker, having good audio quality is just as important as having high-quality video. This is why investing in one of the best DSLR mics is essential.

If you are searching for the best microphone for vlogging or the best microphone for cameras, this article about the best DSLR microphones will help you.

We’ve reviewed some of the best DSLR microphones available on Amazon and listed them in price order, to help narrow your search.

1. TAKSTAR SGC-598 Photography Interview Shotgun MIC
2. Comica CVM-V30 LITE
3. Movo VXR10-PRO
4. Sennheiser MKE 200 Directional on-camera Microphone
5. Shure Vp64a
6. Rode VideoMic GO Shotgun Video Mic
7. Rode Smartlav+.
8. Deity D3 Pro
9. Audio-Technica AT875R Line/Gradient Shotgun Condenser Microphone
10. Sennheiser MKE 400 Shotgun Microphone
11. Rode Videomic Pro+
12. Shure VP83F
13. Sennheiser MKE 600
14. Sennheiser Wired Professional MKH 416-P48U3 Short Shotgun Interference Tube Mic

1. Best DSLR Mics: Takstar SGC-598 Photography Interview Shotgun Mic

Our first budget DSLR microphone is the Takstar SGC-598. This is a basic unidirectional shotgun cardioid microphone designed for Nikon Canon Cameras.

It may not be the best DSLR mic available, but will still be a significant upgrade over the inbuilt mic on a camera. The Takstar has excellent reviews on Amazon, with most praising its decent sound quality and overall value for money.

2. Best DSLR Mics: Comica CVM-V30 LITE Video Microphone

Here is our second budget DSLR microphone, and it represents excellent value.

This microphone is a super-cardioid mic with a frequency range of 40Hz – 20KHz that boasts low self-noise and anti-interference, which is quite impressive considering its low price tag.

This mic also has ‘universal compatibility with smartphones and cameras, thanks to its 3.5mm jack input. There is even a switch on the mic to change the source from phone to camera.

Of course, this is only useful for smartphones that still have a 3.5mm input, which many phones in 2023 no longer have. Consider this if you are looking for a DSLR mic to use with a phone for recording audio.

3. Best DSLR Mics: Movo VXR10-PRO External Video Microphone

Another budget-friendly shotgun mic. The Movo VXR10 Pro is a compact supercardioid shotgun microphone, which is also compatible with smartphones.

This mic has no internal power and instead draws power directly from your phone or camera. The Movo comes with a Rycote Lyre Shockmount, Windscreens, Carrying Case, 3.5mm to TRS adapter, and 3.5mm to TRRS adapter.

That’s quite an impressive package at only $49.95 (at the time of writing). This product has stellar reviews and users report impressive sound quality for the price.

4. Best DSLR Mics: Sennheiser Professional MKE 200 Directional On-Camera Microphone

The Sennheiser Pro MKE 200 is a directional on-camera microphone for isolated and enhanced audio. With no battery (Powered by the connected device), it is an ideal solution for vloggers and videographers.

Again, we have smartphone and camera compatibility, with Interchangeable 3.5mm (1/8″) TRS and TRRS connectivity.

This mic features Integrated wind protection and an internal suspension mount to minimize handling noise and comes with a standard cold shoe mount for universal use.

With Sennheiser’s build quality, batteryless design, and excellent audio quality in an extremely compact package, it’s hard to fault the MKE 200.

5. Best DSLR Mics: Shure VP64A Omnidirectional Handheld Microphone

Shure is well known for making very high-quality microphones. This is a handheld dynamic microphone and is therefore different from the previous products.

It is omnidirectional, water-resistant, ideal for interviews and podcasts, and can be used outdoors in harsh and challenging weather conditions. Whilst not a traditional DSLR Mic, it is ideal for challenging outdoor recording work. 

The VP64A series also features a tailored frequency response with an upper midrange presence rise that adds crispness and clarity to speech.

The cartridge utilizes a neodymium magnet for higher output and increased signal-to-noise ratio. An internal rubber isolation mount protects the microphone cartridge and minimizes handling noise.

6. Best DSLR Mics: Rode VideoMic GO Lightweight Directional Shotgun Video Mic

Here we have another plug-and-play unidirectional shotgun mic for interviews and filmmaking, with a windshield and integrated Rycote Lyre shock mount included.

The Rode VideoMic GO is lightweight (0.43 pounds), affordable, and perfect for beginners.

It features a supercardioid polar pattern and a frequency response of 100Hz to 16kHz, which captures clear audio with minimal background noise. The microphone also has a shock mount to reduce handling noise.

With professional Rode quality, over 9000 reviews, and 4.5 stars on Amazon, the VideoMic is a great option if you are looking for a professional shotgun video mic.

7. Best DSLR Mics: Rode SmartLav+ Lavalier Microphone

Here we have a lavalier microphone that is ideal for videographers and interviewers who want to place a mic semi-discreetly about their person. It connects to smartphones and tablets via the 3.5m jack input.

It conveniently comes with a mic clip, foam pop shield, limited 1-Year warranty, and a small carry pouch. This microphone weighs less than a pound and costs less than $100.

If you work in broadcasting or media or simply want to record content with a smartphone for TikTok or Instagram, this Lavalier mic from Rode is an excellent choice.

8. Best DSLR Mics: Deity V-Mic D3 Pro

Here we have a supercardioid shotgun mic with 50 hours of battery life from the internal rechargeable lithium battery This is an extremely lightweight mic at only 143g and boasts a durable uni-body aluminum build.

The D3 pro also has ‘broadcast-quality sound’ and ‘out-of-the-box compatibility with almost all Cameras, Recorders, Smartphones, Laptops, and Tablets’.

Other unique features of the Deity include:

• Easy button two-step high Pass filter (75/150Hz)
• Step-less Analog Gain Knob; Add Up to+20dB
• Auto Quick-Wake/Mic-Sleep when the Recording device turns On/off
• Low-cut Filter(LCF): 75Hz/150Hz
• Charging time: <2Hrs

9. Best DSLR Mics: Audio-Technica AT875R Line/Gradient Shotgun Condenser Microphone

The Audio-Technica AT875R is a professional shotgun microphone that is ideal for capturing dialogue and voiceovers. It features a line/gradient polar pattern, which captures audio directly in front of the microphone while rejecting off-axis sound.

The microphone also has a frequency response of 90Hz to 20kHz, which captures clear and crisp audio. The sound rejection from the sides and back of the microphone gives you peace of mind when recording in noisy environments.

With an extremely short length (under 7″) and low weight (80g), this shotgun mic is ideal for long recording sessions where you would not want to be encumbered by heavy gear.

10. Best DSLR Mics: Sennheiser MKE 400 Shotgun

A highly directional, super-cardioid, shotgun microphone for isolated and enhanced audio. The Sennheiser is another ideal solution for vloggers, podcasters, and all media entrepreneurs.

This mic has a frequency response of 50 – 20,000 Hz and runs on 2 AAA batteries. It has a windscreen and shock mount built-in, a low-cut filter, and a 3-step gain sensitivity switch.

• Highly directional for isolated dialogue capture
• Compatible with DSLR/M cameras and mobile devices
• Two AAA batteries power the microphone for up to 100 hours
• Cold-shoe mount with quarter-20 thread allows for universal mounting
• Automatically powers on/off when connected to DSLR/M cameras

11. Best DSLR Mics: Rode VideoMic Pro+

The Rode VideoMic Pro+ is a popular choice among content creators and filmmakers. It features a supercardioid polar pattern, which helps to reduce background noise and capture clear audio.

The microphone is unidirectional and only weighs 0.67 Pounds. It also has a high-pass filter and high-frequency boost, which can be adjusted to suit different recording situations.

Additionally, it has a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 100 hours, making it a reliable option for long shoots.

This is a high-end, premium microphone, that ticks all the boxes for vlogging, live sports recording, and all other media and videography.

If you are looking for a next-level microphone to elevate your content, the Rode VideoMic Pro+ is one of the best choices.

12. Best DSLR Mics: Shure VP83 LensHopper Camera-Mounted Condenser Microphone

The Shure VP83 LensHopper is a high-quality condenser microphone that attaches directly to your camera.

It features a supercardioid polar pattern and a frequency response of 50Hz to 20kHz, which captures clear audio with minimal background noise.

The microphone also has a low-cut filter and a three-position gain switch to adjust the recording levels.

It runs on two AA batteries and has a ’10-hour battery life whilst recording.’ With Shure’s famous build quality, a mini LCD screen, and stellar features, this is a professional workhorse mic that should last you for many years.

• Detailed, high-definition audio with a full low-end response for professional results every time.
• Highly directional super-cardioid/lobar polar pattern rejects unwanted off-axis audio while capturing the intended sound source
• Superior RF immunity to avoid unwanted audio artifacts from cellular and RF devices.
• The integrated Rycote Lyre shock mounting system provides superior isolation from vibration and mechanical noise through its customized, robust design exclusively developed with Rycote for the VP83 model
• Integrated digital flash recording (MicroSDHC, up to 32 GB)
• Uncompressed WAV file capture at 24-bit/48 kHz sampling rate
• Dedicated headphone audio output for real-time headphone monitoring
• Fully adjustable user gain (up to 60 dB in 1 dB increments)

13. Best DSLR Mics: Sennheiser Professional MKE 600 Shotgun Microphone

This Sennheiser professional MKE 600 shotgun mic includes a shock mount and foam windshield. This is Sennheiser’s answer to the professional offerings from Shure and Rode, and it does not disappoint.

It is a super-cardioid mic that can be powered by phantom power or batteries. A battery on/off switch prevents the battery from discharging prematurely.

• Pronounced directivity
• Maximal rejection of side noise
• Switchable “Low Cut” filter: Minimizes wind noise
• Phantom or battery powering: Because some video cameras/ camcorders do not provide phantom power
• Supplied with foam windshield and shock mount
• Rugged all-metal housing
• Very good suppression of structure-borne noise

14. Best DSLR Mics: Sennheiser Wired Professional MKH 416-P48U3 Short Shotgun Interference Tube Mic

This top-of-the-range premium microphone is ideal for voice-over work and all videography and media.

If you want the best shotgun microphone that money can buy, and to improve the audio of your content to new and hard-to-surpass levels, then the Sennheiser Professional MKH 416-P48U3 short shotgun mic is one of the best options.

• Compact pressure-gradient microphone with short interference tube for film, radio, and television
• Rugged and highly immune to humidity due to its RF condenser design, making it ideal for outside applications
• Features high directivity, low self-noise, high consonant articulation, and feedback rejection
• Transformerless and fully floating balanced output
• Rugged, suitable for adverse climatic conditions
• Matte black all-metal body
• Increased directivity due to interference tube principle
• Very low inherent self-noise
• High sensitivity
• Pick-up pattern: super-cardioid/lobar
• Sensitivity in free field, no load (1kHz): 25 mV/Pa +- 1 dB
• Nominal impedance: 25 Ohm
• Min. terminating impedance: 800 Ohm
• Equivalent noise level: 13 dB
• Equivalent noise level weighted as per CCIR 468-3: 24 dB
• Voltage: Phantom 48 +- 12 V
• Current consumption: 2 mA
• Dimensions: d 19 x 250 mm
• Weight: 165 g

FAQ

What Is a DSLR Microphone?

DSLR stands for “Digital Single-Lens Reflex”. A DSLR microphone is a special type of microphone that is specifically designed to operate seamlessly with camcorders or video-enabled DSLR cameras.

Do DSLR Cameras Have Microphones?

Yes, DSLR cameras come with built-in camera mics, although the sound quality is not always the best, so a good DSLR microphone is often a significant upgrade, and a required one.

What Are The Different Types of External Microphones?

Here we have the 5 different types of DSLR Microphones to help you refine your search and purchase.

1. Lavalier Microphones

Lavalier mics are incredibly discrete and are often placed on a speaker’s collar to ensure the best audio quality. Video podcasters like wireless Lavalier microphones as they enable unrestricted movement.

2. Handheld Microphones

Handheld mics are best suited to podcasters who find it more comfortable to hold the microphone while recording. The main issue with handheld microphones is that they often require additional attachments to produce quality sound making them more expensive

3. Shotgun Microphones

Shotgun mics can be mounted directly to a DSLR camera or a boom pole This versatile microphone is very easy to use. Shotgun mics are unidirectional and their tubular shape allows them to pick up on sounds surrounding the microphone.

4. Camera Microphones

An on-camera microphone that’s designed to be compatible with a camcorder or video-enabled DSLR camera. They’re generally lightweight and have the ability to be mounted to the shoe of a camera.

5. Video Microphones

Video mics are essentially a type of shotgun microphone but generally aren’t for capturing the final audio of a production. They connect straight to the camera to capture scratch-track audio which allows for easy syncing in posts.

Condenser vs. Dynamic Mic

Condenser microphones are often more sensitive, and better at picking up high-frequency sounds.

They are therefore mainly used in studios or when transported, handled with care. Condenser mics are often less durable and rely on being connected to a power source to work.

If you want to capture loud sounds in an environment with lots of background noise, then a dynamic mic would be the best option. Unlike condenser microphones, dynamic mics don’t need a power source to operate.

Conclusion

Choosing the right DSLR microphone can make a big difference in the audio quality of your content. The above microphones are some of the best options available on Amazon.

Be sure to consider your budget, what your use case is, and how It might change in the future. Also, consider reading the product descriptions and customer reviews before purchasing to ensure that you get the right microphone for your needs.

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