Sony has announced a new vlogging microphone that uses the MI multi-interface hot shoe connection on Sony mirrorless cameras. The ECM-G1 Vlogger Shotgun microphone fits in the palm and Sony this makes the G1 the smallest and lightest model in the category.
The ECM-G1 is designed for the human voice, with a fixed super-cardioid polar pattern through a large, 14.6mm electret-condenser capsule. Sony says that the audio quality of the G1 is exceptional, with no need for beamforming or adjustable pickup patterns.
Image Credit – Sony
This design focuses on a narrow audio range directly in front of the microphone. It was mainly designed for vlogging and social media content like TikTok and Instagram, where the shooter may likely also be the subject in the video.
With an overall length of under two inches and a weight of 1.2 ounces, the compact G1 can stay attached to a camera all the time, providing for much better audio quality than the camera’s built-in microphone.
The lightweight also means that the G1 can be used on a camera that has been attached to a gimbal, without having to labor to rebalance it.
Image Credit – Sony
The ECM-G1 comes with a dead cat windshield to reduce wind and air noise and has a built-in antivibration mount design to reduce noise generated by camera shake or from the mechanical hot shoe connection.
The G1 is designed to operate cable free, with the Sony MI multi interface providing a digital connection that provides not only phantom power from the camera’s battery but also eliminates audio background noise from an analog plugged connection.
Other DSLR and mirrorless camera users can also use the G1 thanks to the 3.5mm microphone out port for an analog audio cable.
The connection will not be cable-free, but the G1 provides its own internal power and can be used on a wider variety of cameras, even smartphones.
Image Credit – Sony
Though Sony creatives can use the G1 without cables to record digital audio directly through the MI interface, other DSLR and mirrorless camera users can use the G1 thanks to the 3.5mm microphone out the plug and an audio cable.
The connection will be analog and not cable-free, but the support is there for a wider variety of camera connections, including even a smartphone
The retail price of the ECM-G1 is $149.99, which is pretty competitive with popular external microphones out there by RODE and other brand names.
[source: Sony]
Order Links:
- Sony ECM-G1 Ultracompact Camera-Mount Vlogger Shotgun Microphone (B&H)
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