Azden SMX-15 Powered Shotgun Video Microphone

Like many others, I've been using Rode for on camera shotgun mike. It finally fell apart on me and I came upon this Azden. Most importantly, I think it has terrific audio capabilities, certainly on par or better than the Rode. But it surpasses the Rode in build quality.

Azden is definitely stepping up with their Microphone. For me this Mic sounds really good and the integrated shock-absorbing shoe mount works well. I love the auto off feature, it shuts off automatically when I turn off my Cam and it goes to sleep too when my cam goes to sleep!

You'd think one time of forgetting to turn on the microphone would be all it took to learn a lesson... apparently not, and that's why this mic is so great! It turns on when you start recording, so you don't have to worry about it. It also sounds good!

Could not be easier to use... especially set on auto ... one less thing to remember turning it on and off... Used it at a party setting last night and I was bouncing back between normal and -10bd going from indoors and outdoors...

Back in the broadcast camera days, most all pro cameras came with decent handle-mounted mics. Things are different in the DSLR-type hybrid video camera world. The purpose of an on camera mic for me is to record ambient effects.