Which external microphone is best for the Sony ZV-1?

Question

Does anyone have a solid recommendation for a compact mic for the ZV-1 that actually handles wind well? Ive been vlogging for about three years now and usually stick to my main rig, but I just picked up the ZV-1 for a trip to the Scottish Highlands next month and I need better audio. I thought the built-in 3-capsule mic with that deadcat wind screen would be enough for run-and-gun stuff but I did some tests at a windy park today and the audio still clipped like crazy. I am looking for something that wont block the flip screen too much. Budget is around $200. Was looking at the Rode VideoMic NTG but worried it might be too heavy for the gimbal im using. Thoughts on the Sony ECM-B10 maybe?

kkee3 · Accepted Answer

honestly if you are worried about weight and the flip screen, you should probably skip the rode. i've tried many setups over the years and for the zv-1 the Sony ECM-B10 Compact Shotgun Microphone is basically unbeatable. it uses the digital mi shoe so you dont have any messy cables messing with your gimbal calibration or getting in the way. the dsp inside handles audio processing way better than any analog mic in that price range. it has three selectable pickup patterns which is perfect for vlogging in the wind... you can just set it to super-directional to cut out that background roar. also since its digital the signal to noise ratio is much cleaner than using the 3.5mm jack. i found the Rode VideoMic NTG High-Performance Shotgun Microphone a bit too long for the zv-1 body, whereas the sony is super short and wont block your view. literally the best bet for the highlands tbh.

JamesenAno · Answer

To add to the point above: I honestly had high hopes for that built-in capsule mic too but unfortunately it was a total letdown once the wind picked up even slightly. I spent way too much time in post trying to fix clipping that just couldnt be saved... honestly such a bummer. If you're using a gimbal, you definitely gotta watch that weight limit. I once pushed my luck with a heavier setup and basically killed the motor on a smaller gimbal after a week of hiking because it was just slightly off balance. Heres what I would look at instead of the bulky NTG:

Rode VideoMicro II Ultracompact On-camera Shotgun Microphone - it is tiny and weighs next to nothing so it wont stress your setup.

Sennheiser+MKE+200+Mobile+On-camera+Directional+Microphone&linkCode=osi&tag=5422-20" target="_blank" rel="nofollow sponsored">Sennheiser MKE 200 Mobile On-camera Directional Microphone - this one has a built-in wind protection and internal shock mount which is great for bumpy trails. Tbh even with these, the wind in the Highlands is gonna be brutal. You might want to grab a third-party furry windshield for whatever you buy because the stock ones are usually pretty thin. Better to spend a little extra now than lose your audio later.

Leroydog · Answer

been thinking about that trip... the highlands are no joke when it comes to weather. honestly the best mic for you is really gonna depend on how much extra weight your gimbal can take without burning out. i would be really careful about adding too much to the top of the Sony ZV-1 since it might mess with the balance while you are hiking. a couple things i need to know first:

what is the maximum payload of the gimbal you are using?

are you using a cage or just the camera shoe? keeping the setup light is definitely the safest bet. if the mic is too long it might hit the gimbal arm or block your view. also keep in mind that stiff cables can tug on the motors and cause jitters in the footage. wouldnt want you to have gear failure out there.