tbh it sucks that the mk2 preamps feel like a step back. i was really hoping theyd fix the noise floor but its still kinda hiss-heavy if you arent careful. honestly, for a tokyo trip where youll be in loud crowds one second and quiet shrines the next, the digital shoe is convenient but sometimes the processing feels... artificial? like it's trying too hard. unfortunately, relying on the internal gain of the camera is usually where the trouble starts. i had issues with the auto-gain clipping or being too quiet. instead of the b10, you might wanna look at the Sony ECM-M1 8-dial Compact Shotgun Microphone. it has four capsules and eight modes, which gives you way more control than the b10 without those weird digital artifacts in the background. its basically the pro version of what you were looking at and much more versatile for street vlogging. if you really want to bypass the messy preamps tho, the Rode Wireless ME Compact Wireless Microphone System is a lifesaver. the GainAssist tech basically levels everything out so you dont have to menu dive while walking through shibuya. its tiny, stupidly simple to clip on, and sounds much cleaner than the internal mics ever will. plus, having a dedicated transmitter means you can keep talking even if you turn your back to the camera to show off the scenery. it isnt as clean looking as a shoe-mounted mic but the reliability is worth it imo.

honestly the ZV-E10 II audio interface is a bit of a letdown. i had issues with the signal-to-noise ratio even when using the digital shoe with some older sony mics. unfortunately, the Sony ECM-B10 Shotgun Microphone is pretty prone to digital artifacts when you're using the aggressive beamforming modes, which is gonna be a nightmare in crowded spots like shibuya. the frequency response just isnt as flat as i expected for the price. if youre heading to tokyo, you need something that handles the ambient roar better. the DJI Mic 2 Wireless Microphone System is a way better bet because of the internal 32-bit float recording. even if the cameras preamps are acting up or you clip the gain while shouting over a train, the internal backup saves you. simplicity is nice until your audio is ruined by a sudden noise spike. i also tested the Sony ECM-M1 Digital Shotgun Microphone and while the 8 modes are cool on paper, the noise floor still feels higher than it should be in certain polar patterns. it’s really frustrating how sony marketed the digital path as this holy grail of clean audio when there’s still audible hiss in quiet rooms if you dont gain stage perfectly. sticking to the digital shoe is convenient, but for a trip like that, id prioritize the safety of the dji setup anyway. it really isnt as good as expected for vlogging in loud cities.