For your situation, I’ve tested both and honestly, I had some issues with the Sony setup. Here's the breakdown: - Sony ECM-G1 Ultra-Compact Shotgun Microphone:
Pros: Cable-free MI shoe is great for keeping the ZV-1 balanced and compact.
Cons: Unfortunately, the audio quality isn't as good as expected. I found the noise floor way too high, and it picks up too much ambient junk in busy coffee shops. - Rode VideoMicro II Ultracompact On-Camera Shotgun Microphone:
Pros: Tighter supercardioid pattern. The sound is literally night and day compared to the Sony.
Cons: That TRS cable is super annoying and blocks the screen rotation if youre not careful. Best choice: Honestly, the Rode is the winner. The Sony is basically just a slight upgrade over the built-in mic but lacks the isolation you need for vlogging. The cable is wierd but worth it for the crisp audio. gl!

Ngl, looking at the consensus so far, you're basically stuck choosing between the ergonomics of a cable-free interface and actual signal-to-noise ratio. Honestly, coming from a pro background, my biggest worry with these ultra-compact rigs is always reliability. I used to run a super minimal setup with a shoe-mounted interface, but I had a nightmare session where the pins didn't seat perfectly due to some debris. I didn't realize until post-production that the signal was dropping out and the noise floor was through the roof. Total disaster. Now, I prioritize a "fail-safe" workflow. I've found that even if a cable is kinda annoying, the physical connection and the ability to monitor the levels properly through the preamps is non-negotiable if the footage actually matters. In my experience, the more compact you go, the more you sacrifice shielding. The one I got a while back was incredibly small, but it picked up massive RF interference whenever I was near a router in a coffee shop. Tbh, unless the connection is rock solid and the shielding is up to industry standards, the "vlogger vibe" isn't worth a ruined take. I’d rather deal with a slightly clunkier setup that guarantees a clean, interference-free signal every single time.

Would love to know this too

Any updates on this?

This ^

I am literally in the same boat as you right now and it is driving me crazy. I really wanted that clean MI shoe look but unfortunately the noise floor on the Sony ECM-G1 Ultra-Compact Shotgun Microphone was just not as good as expected... it honestly sounded thinner than the internal mic in some tests. It is such a letdown when the gear doesnt live up to the hype and you feel like youre just wasting money on stuff that isnt reliable. Quick tip if you end up going with a cable mic: grab a SmallRig Cold Shoe Extension 2044 to keep the wires away from the flip screen so you dont lose your mind trying to see your framing. Also, I have been looking at the Deity V-Mic D4 Mini as a potential fix since it is tiny, but the struggle to find something that actually sounds pro without the bulk is real. Definitely sticking around this thread to see if anyone finds a magic solution because I am about to give up on external mics for this camera.

Exactly what I was thinking

Yep been there done that. Can confirm everything said above is spot on.