Best Mic for Sony A7iii

As good as the Sony A7iii is at image quality, its internal mic is lackluster, so you need a better external mic.

Sony A7iii is an engineering marvel and still sells like hotcakes even half a decade after its first release. That said, like most DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, although better than some of its counterparts in image quality, its internal mic does not have high-quality audio. So, if you are a videographer, music photographer, or filmmaker, you would love to get rid of the noisy and unclear audio it captures. This is where an external microphone can be handy and offer superior-quality sound.

01: Why Is Rode VideoMic NTG The Best Mic For Sony A7III?

Rode VideoMic NTG is the best mic for Sony A7ii because of its affordable price tag, excellent quality sound, easy operations, and compact design that does not add too much weight to your camera. It is built on the platform of Rode NTG shotgun with an on-camera build to work with both cameras and smartphones. Like all shotgun microphones, it is highly directional and records only from the sources it is pointed towards while rejecting unwanted noise in the background and surroundings. You can use the microphone to record outdoor interviews and vlogs, particularly when the environment is too noisy with various sound effects.

The sonics of the microphone are quite similar to Rode’s premium offering – NTG5 Shotgun, making VideMic NTG an excellent value product. Furthermore, it features a high-pass filter that can be engaged and disengaged by a control button at the rear of the microphone. You can switch between a 75Hz or a 150Hz cutoff to remove certain frequencies below a set point. VideoMic NTG also offers a -20dB safety channel, which can be engaged to record simultaneous passes at 20dB when the primary audio recording is not suitable because of peak issues. An LED shows the statuses of filter passes and safety channels.

Rode Videomic NTG is a solid option for users who want studio-quality audio in their video for indoor and outdoor recordings. It is a plug-and-play model with a plethora of features, allowing it to deliver great quality sound that compliments your video.

02: Rode VideoMicro: The Best Portable Microphone For Sony A7III

Rode VideoMicro is the best microphone for Sony A7iii for users who want to improve the audio quality of their video by spending as little as possible. This shotgun mic offers all the basic features you need to get started with vlogging, outdoor interviews, and landscape footage. It comes with plug-and-play functionality, meaning you will not have to struggle with fancy features to get started, also allowing you to use it with mobile devices. While the price tag is inexpensive, it does come at the cost of built or audio quality. It boasts a solid but compact build, which is covered in black ceramic coating for extra strength.

You will not have to carry AA batteries with you as the microphone draws its power from the camera. It does not consume too much power, so you do not have to worry about it draining your camera’s battery. While the overall audio performance is quite decent, especially for its price, it particularly shines when it comes to blocking the sound from the back. The off-axis rejection from the sides is just as good, owing to its strict cardioid polar pattern. It also comes with effective accessories to make the output even better, including a Rycote lyre shock mount and a deluxe furry windshield. These features collectively enhance the audio performance, making it an excellent choice for recording audio.

Rode VideoMicro should be your go-to portable microphone for video recording while running on a budget. It offers more than decent sound quality, along with basic accessories such as a rycote lyre suspension system to improve the overall quality of your video projects. The microphone offers a simple setup for recording audio where you do not have to worry about battery life or setting up other fancy features. Make sure to check the following video on our YouTube channel where we tested Rode VideoMicro in an actual speaking scenario with Sony A7III.

03: Rode VideoMic Pro+ : Finds A Sweet Spot Between Price and Quality

Rode VideoMic Pro+ is the mid-range offering in the market because it strikes an excellent balance between affordability and performance. It records a clear sound that is balanced audio and clear of interferences and background noises to enhance the quality of your video project. In addition to a tight unidirectional polar pattern, the microphone uses a “Phase Cancelling Technology” to avoid unwanted noise by tracking its sources and blocking them from making it into the audio. While it is quite effective as a shotgun microphone, users can increase its functionalities by purchasing a boom pole and converting it into a boom microphone.

Rode VideoMic Pro+ is a true condenser microphone with a frequency response ranging between 20Hz and 20kHz. It covers the common spectrum of audible frequencies, ensuring the audio is warm with deep low ends and clear and crisp high notes. Consequently, the output is natural, authentic, and professional. While the microphone offers an impressive battery life, it also allows you to charge it continuously via a micro-USB cable. It also has a sophisticated mechanism to turn itself off while it is not being used to preserve the battery and allow longer continuous shooting. You can also purchase extra batteries and swap them easily via the built-in battery door of the microphone.

VideoMic Pro+ is an incredible mid-range microphone that helps you record high-quality audio regardless of what you are working on. You can use it for the audio recording of school projects, personal vlogs, recording vocals, and plenty of other applications. While the microphones perform well in most conditions, you should get a high-quality windshield if you want to block ambient sound in windy environments.

04: Sennheiser MKE 400: The Best Microphone For Beginner

Sennheiser MK400 is the best microphone for beginners because it offers simple but effective controls to improve the sound quality in your videos by manyfold. Although it only offers basic features, they are enough for most users who are new to external microphones. The microphone keeps the audio clear of interferences and unwanted noise by excellent off-axis rejection owing to its cardioid polar pattern. It also features a low-cut filter, allowing you to eliminate certain frequencies from the audio to keep it crisp and clean. You can also use a gain switch to balance the recordings by either making the mic input louder or quieter.

Sennheiser MKE400 is a very lightweight microphone and features compact dimensions, making it easy to store in your gear kit. The lightweight also ensures it does not weigh you down while you are recording with the camera for a longer period. Sennheiser has also provided a headphone jack within the mic, an intuitive feature allowing you to monitor what the microphone is recording in real time. It allows you to make the required modifications during the recording, so you do not have to spend too much time in post-production.

It is an incredible microphone for users who are looking for a capable microphone on a budget and only need basic features. However, if you want a recording microphone with advanced functions or something to record in windy conditions, you will be better off with the alternatives.

05: Sennheiser MKE 600: The Best Microphone For Professional Videographers

Sennheiser MKE 600 is not an upgraded version of the MKE 400; it is a whole new package, a microphone intended for professional videographers, offering precise directional audio capture, unlike a typical stereo microphone. Everything from the design to performances oozes elegance, allowing it to cement itself as the best microphone for professionals. As you may know, most premium microphones do not use USB or 3.5mm connectors and instead have XLR connectors for better transmission of sound signals. Sennheiser MKE 600 also uses an XLR connector, but it comes with an XLR-3 to 3.5mm adapter, so you do not have to purchase it separately. It also requires phantom power, which can be delivered by the connected device or by the battery powering it. When used with camera preamps, the Sennheiser MKE 600 can enhance its performance, especially in challenging audio environments.

Sennheiser MKE 600 features a hyper-cardioid polar pattern, meaning it picks the sound only from one direction and rejects the other sound sources. When you mount it on the camera, right above the lens, it will pick up the sound from the source the camera lens is pointed towards, ensuring the elimination of background noise. While the microphone does not offer sensitivity settings, you will not find it off even when you use it on different cameras. Recording loud sounds is often a challenge for condenser microphones, but the MKE 600 performs a decent job owing to its high maximum SPL of about 132 dB. When compared to mono microphones, which typically handle loud environments differently, the MKE 600 provides robust and reliable performance.

It is a professional-grade microphone with a strict hyper-cardioid polar pattern intended only for the professional. Even a slight deviation from the right angle will fade the audio signal, making it an incredible unit for pros but a difficult one to manage for beginners. You should only purchase this microphone if you want to record in challenging environments and have an understanding of its complex features.

Best Mic For Sony A7III: Notable Mentions

Frequently Asked Questions About Best Mic For Sony A7III

Credits:

Images from: B&H Photo Video, Derek Hilton, Dunna Did it