PIXEL MC550 Camera Microphone, Directional Shotgun Video Mic for Camcorder and DSLR Camera, 3.5mm Jack

Your browser does not support HTML5 video.  I can't say I have a lot of experience with external microphones for making video. I have a lapel microphone that I thought made a small difference, and this one, which I think sounds MUCH better to my ears. Much less echo, and much better sound. ! I have wanted a shotgun mic for a long time, but couldn't afford the price of one.. I am pleased with this, and especially for the price. You can listen to the video and decide which you prefer. I am using a Canon 70D, and have left the sound levels in Auto for this.

Update: I did some testing, set the input on my recorder to normal levels and found that this mic has a tremendous amount of electrical noise in the circuit. It's so obvious that it can't be used for anything other than a toy. Sorry Pixel, but I had to downgrade my review.I didn't have a lot of faith in short-tube "shotgun" mics. So my expectations were low. Usually cheapo direction mics have nasty high end and no low end, and an interference tube that's just for decoration. (It's also a joke how many of them have a low cut filter that does nothing since the cartridge can't even reproduce the sounds that would reach the filter.) Surprisingly, though, this mic has usable audio--but not in an expected way.First, it's useless as a dialog mic as suggested by the product photos. The response of the mic doesn't have enough presence in the areas were good vocal mics have it. Pro shotgun mics such as the Sennheiser Mk416 or the Rode NTG3 have a broad hump in the areas were consonants are heard. Far from flat and neutral, these type of mics deliver crisp and intelligible audio for dialog. The MC550 is flatter and has more bass. The MC550 is also NOT sensitive at all. You have to be less than 1 meter from it to move the bars. Hilariously, it includes a -10 dB pad, just in case you want to be not heard at all.But you know what it does well? Be a close-up voice mic in a noisy environment. It's pretty directional, and it sounds like a dynamic cardioid. I use a lapel mic for voice-overs on portable equipment, but they're generally omni. The MC550's lack of sensitivity will be its strength.

I wanted a shotgun microphone for my Canon Vixia camcorder but didn't want to spend more than the camera cost. I purchased this MC-550 microphone and found it to be just right for my needs. It has a -10db switch with a low cut filter that did a decent job blocking out excess noise. The quality of the sound was pretty good. The cord is very generous, in fact, to the extent that I have quite a lot of excess when it's connected to my camera. I can see other uses where the length will come in handy. There is a sound sensitivity feature which is a bonus. I also like that it uses one AAA battery. My rating takes into account the price. When compared to another fairly expensive model, the sound is not as deep and rich and the noise reduction is not as good, but for the price, this microphone far exceeded my expectations and does everything I wanted it to do with excellent results.

I personally loved this product. It has performed in all weather environments (I work outside year round) and it has held up for the last 3 months like a champ. The noise cancellation is amazing. I can stand next to a water pump 13 hp motor and face at a 90 degree angle from it and it sounds as if its just light background noise. Picks up at a decent distance as well. Definitely recommend for the cost and the sound quality highly improved my videography game.

just bought this for my panasonic g7, i did each setting speaking at the same spots around it then with out it plugged in. the stock microphone of the camera was at least 2x louder and clearer. there was alot of noise in every setting of the microphone. and my voice was not nearly as loud or clear in any setting as it was on the stock microphone. i highly suggest passing this one up for a better quality.

It works and the sound qaulity is solid. They cord is waaaaaay too long for me. I have had to curl it around my Lumix G85. The pop filter doesn't stay on well and I had to add a little double sided tape to keep it on during the wind. I use it as a backup or secondary mic for multiple angles.

Great Sound ... Works perfectly for my Sony Professional Camcorder...

First off, this mic is great quality and the battery life is amazing... BUT unlike some reviews stated, you can't use with a phone without an adapter. It took me 3 tries to find the right phone adapter and quite a bit of frustration along the way, but once you have your adapter in place, this mic is really nice.