05/04/2026 11:30 pm
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Which external mic is actually the better pick for a Canon 80D, the Rode VideoMic Pro+ or the Shure VP83 LensHopper?
Im torn because I have a trip to the Oregon coast coming up next Friday and I really need to stop using the internal audio because its honestly trash in the wind. My budget is strictly under $250 and I need something that wont make my rig too top-heavy while Im hiking around.
- Rode VideoMic Pro+ (seems to be the gold standard?)
- Shure VP83 (I like the smaller size)
Ive heard the 80D has decent preamps but I dont know if the Shure is sensitive enough for it compared to the Rode...
3 Answers
11
05/04/2026 11:31 pm
Honestly, if youre hiking the Oregon coast, the Shure VP83 LensHopper Integrated Shotgun Microphone is likely the better choice for your trip. It is built from metal and feels very durable, which is great when youre moving around outdoors. The Rode VideoMic Pro+ Directional On-Camera Microphone is the gold standard for features, but it sits pretty high off the camera and can feel a bit wobbly during active movement. Since the 80D has decent preamps, you just need to set the camera gain to one or two clicks above zero and use the +20dB gain boost on the mic itself. This gives you a really clean signal. Coastal wind is brutal tho, so you should definitely get a fuzzy windscreen because the stock foam wont cut it. The Shure is plenty sensitive enough once you dial in those settings and it keeps the rig balanced while youre hiking.
10
06/04/2026 12:15 am
Ive tried many, and honestly, the <a href=" https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt= Sennheiser+MKE+400+Compact+Mic&BI=8941&KBID=10361&SID=2222&DFF=d50" target="_blank" rel="nofollow sponsored">Sennheiser MKE 400 Compact Mic is safer for hiking.
- Better wind protection
- No battery anxiety
- Very durable Oregon winds wont kill your audio then.
4
05/04/2026 11:45 pm
Regarding what #1 said about the Shure being better for hiking, I totally agree on the size, but you really gotta think about the gain control. In my experience with the 80D, using a mic with its own gain boost is the only way to keep the audio clean without that annoying hiss. Honestly, check out the Deity V-Mic D3 Pro Super-Cardioid Shotgun Microphone before you pull the trigger on the others. It's usually much cheaper than the Pro+ and has this amazing stepless gain knob on the back. It lets you turn the camera internal gain way down which is huge for quality. Tbh, the Oregon coast is gonna be brutal for wind, so whatever you get, make sure you buy a proper deadcat... those foam covers wont do anything against a Pacific gale. If you want to save some cash, the Movo VXR10-PRO Shotgun Video Microphone is a solid budget alternative that punches way above its weight class and stays super light for hiking.
