For your situation, I would suggest looking into the Sony ECM-B10 Shotgun Microphone because that digital connection is a lifesaver. I actually picked up the Sony ZV-E10 II last month for a trip and honestly... I had a bit of a rough time with the audio at first.

I originally tried the Sony ECM-G1 Ultracompact Camera-Mount Analog Shotgun Microphone thinking it would be the ultimate 'walk-and-talk' setup since it's sooo tiny and light. But honestly? It was not as good as expected, especially in the wind. Unfortunately, even with the deadcat on, I was getting a lot of low-end rumble that basically ruined some of my footage in crowded areas. It was super frustrating cuz the 10-bit color looks amazing, but the audio just felt thin and muffled. Also, while the Rode VideoMic GO II is a solid mic, the cable is highkey annoying on ur camera because it literally blocks the flip-out screen. Seriously, who wants to deal with a cable flapping around while you're trying to frame yourself??

The Sony ECM-B10 is way better because it uses the digital MI shoe, so there's no cable and no noise floor issues from the camera's preamp. It's way more directional too. Lesson learned for me: dont sacrifice sound isolation just to save an inch of space. It fits perfectly in ur budget. Just set it to 'Auto' and use the super-directional mode... you wont even have to touch the menus in the field. gl

Hmm, I've had a different experience when it comes to shotguns for travel vlogging. Respectfully, I'd actually suggest a different approach—going wireless. If ur filming in crowded cafes, even a compact shotgun like the Sony ECM-G1 is gonna pick up every espresso machine and convo behind u.

1. Sony ECM-W3S Wireless Microphone: This is around $199. It still uses that digital MI shoe for a cable-free setup, but because the mic is on ur collar, the audio stays crystal clear even if u turn ur head. Basically the ultimate plug-and-play for solo creators.
2. Rode Wireless ME: Super budget-friendly at $149. It has 'GainAssist' which is a lifesaver cuz it handles the levels for u automatically.

Shotguns can get a bit 'hit or miss' with wind outdoors, but a tiny wireless clip-on with a fuzzy windjammer is just way more reliable. Plus, it wont make the camera front-heavy at all! peace

So basically, avoid 3.5mm analog mics cuz they're honestly a headache. I had issues with cables blocking the screen and picking up noise.

1. Stick to Sony's digital shoe mics—they're basically the only true plug-and-play.
2. Bigger mics are not as good as expected and get way too front-heavy.

I was sooo disappointed with cable clutter, so honestly, save urself the trouble and go digital. gl!

I stumbled upon this discussion and honestly, I just had to join in because I have been dealing with these exact same frustrations for years! I absolutely love the ZV-E10 II, it is such an amazing piece of kit, but the struggle for truly reliable audio is just exhausting. Just last month, I was filming a fantastic sequence during a trip and I felt so confident in my gear. I got back to the studio, put on my headphones, and discovered that the entire day of footage was ruined by micro-jitters in the audio that I couldnt even hear while recording. It is heart-wrenching! You spend all this time and energy getting the perfect 10-bit shot, and then the sound lets you down at the last second. I have tried so many different configurations over the years, and it feels like no matter how much you plan, there is always that lingering fear that the connection will fail or a cable will wiggle loose. Reliability is everything when you are solo, and it is so incredibly demotivating when you realize your setup wasnt as bulletproof as you thought... it really is the one thing that still stresses me out after a long day of filming!