Best external microphone for my Canon EOS R50?

Question

So I just picked up an R50 for a b-cam and I'm hitting a wall with the audio. Usually I'm a Sennheiser guy but I need something super compact for this travel vlog I'm shooting in Chicago this Friday. My logic was to grab a VideoMicro but the preamps on this little camera seem kinda noisy? Or maybe it's just me.

I have about 150 bucks to spend and I'm stuck between a few options:

Rode VideoMic NTG (might be too heavy?)

Canon DM-E1D

Deity V-Mic D4

Is the digital shoe actually worth it or should I just stick to the 3.5mm jack?? I need to order this tonight or it won't get here in time.

timessquarelights · Accepted Answer

Dude the R50 is such a killer little camera! I have been messing around with one for my street stuff and vlogging lately and honestly... the digital shoe is the absolute best part about it. You definitely want to avoid that 3.5mm jack if you can because the internal preamps are a bit hiss-heavy when you start boosting the gain in post. Since you are heading to Chicago and need compact, here is the breakdown from what I have tested:

Canon DM-E1D Stereo Directional Microphone: This thing is a total beast for the R50. Since it uses the multi-function shoe, it draws power from the camera and sends a digital signal. Zero hiss! Its tiny and fits the scale of the body perfectly. No cables to snag on your bag either.

Rode VideoMic NTG Shotgun Microphone: I love this mic to death on my bigger rigs, but it is way too big for an R50. It makes the whole setup feel front-heavy and lopsided when you are vlogging. Plus you are back to using the analog jack.

Deity V-Mic D4 Directional Shotgun Microphone: Super solid for the price, but again, you got that cable mess and the preamp noise issue. I would 100% grab the Canon DM-E1D Stereo Directional Microphone for this trip. Not having to worry about a battery dying in the middle of a shot is just fantastic. Chicago wind is no joke tho so definitely use the included windscreen!

grayson.stone · Answer

TL;DR: Grab the Sennheiser MKE 200 Mobile On-Camera Directional Microphone to save cash and weight, or the Rode VideoMic GO II for a much better signal-to-noise ratio than the older VideoMicro. Just saw your post and wanted to weigh in before you hit buy tonight. I have used the R50 for some b-roll and yeah, those preamps hiss like crazy if you push the manual gain past 50%. Since you are already a Sennheiser fan, you might want to consider the Sennheiser MKE 200 Mobile On-Camera Directional Microphone. It is way more compact than the NTG and way better balanced for a tiny body like the R50. If you put that heavy NTG on there, youre gonna have a real hard time balancing it on a small travel tripod or a gimbal while walking around Chicago. I would suggest being careful with the digital shoe mics. While they sound clean, you are locked into the Canon ecosystem. If you ever switch brands, that mic basically becomes a paperweight. The Rode VideoMic GO II is a solid middle ground because it has a hotter output than the basic VideoMicro, which lets you turn your camera gain way down to avoid that noise floor. Plus, it is well under your 150 budget. Make sure to double check your wind protection tho... Chicago isnt called the Windy City for nothing and those standard foam covers usually fail if there is any real breeze.

Simmons · Answer

Building on the earlier suggestion, the general vibe here is that the digital shoe is the way to go if you want to dodge the noisy internal preamps. I think that is probably the safest bet for a clean vlog, especially if you are hitting a loud city environment like Chicago. Honestly tho, I am not 100% sure about the battery life situation when you use the shoe for power. IIRC someone mentioned on another thread that the R50 is already kinda thirsty, and adding a powered mic might drain it even faster during a long day of shooting. Just a few things to keep in mind for your trip:

Be careful with the wind because it will definitely ruin your audio if you dont have a high-quality deadcat or windscreen.

Make sure to check the mount tension because the R50 is so light that a heavy setup might make it feel super front-heavy on a small grip.

You might want to consider the extra cost of shipping since you are on such a tight deadline. Tbh if the shipping looks like it wont arrive by Thursday night, I would suggest just grabbing something at a shop once you land in Chicago. Not sure if that fits your budget perfectly but it is better than being stuck with no gear for the trip. Just make sure whatever you get is actually compatible with that specific shoe since it can be picky... I would hate for you to spend the cash and then have it not work right out of the box.