Providing compactness for on-camera microphones, the Azden SGM-250CX is designed around small DSLR and mirrorless cameras for run and gun shooting. Capturing high-quality on-camera sound when filming run-and-gun style as a single shooter can be a challenge. Azden aim to combat this with the SGM-250CX microphone, designed for on-camera use from DSLR and mirrorless cameras up to small production cameras. With size and performance in mind, the microphone barrel has been kept considerably short for an XLR shogun microphone, with a length of 153mm. It is powered via +48V phantom power and not from an internal battery, so it is recommended to use it with an on-camera audio device such as the Sony XLR-K2M or Panasonic DMW-XLR1E. The SGM-250CX connects via XLR, which is much more ideal for integrating into a professional sound solution than a mini jack. It also means the microphone can be used on video cameras with XLR inputs. Azden SGM-250CX – Tech Specs: Super-cardioid polar pattern 20Hz to 20KHz frequency response -33dB at 1KHz sensitivity +48V phantom power XLR connector The Azden SGM-250CX is available now, and at a reasonable price of $199.00 it certainly is an affordable solution for on-camera sound. Are you looking for a high quality on-camera and XLR microphone for your filming? Let us know in the comments.

The Aputure Deity is a shotgun condenser mic which comes at a very competitive price point, and seems to offer all the features you expect from a broadcast-grade mic. The Aputure Deity Shotgun Mic Aputure has entered yet another market, and this time the company is aiming at an industry legend: the Sennheiser MKH 416 shotgun mic. In fact, if you’ve ever worked with a MKH416, you’ll notice the Aputure Deity actually looks quite similar. Watch the introduction video from Aputure below: This new microphone seems to be built like a tank: CNC machined from solid brass, it looks like it will be capable of taking quite a bit of beating while in use in the field. The whole unit is very rugged and even waterproof to a certain extent. The Aputure Deity works with a so-called supercardioid polar pattern, so it’s very directional. Any sounds coming from sources other than the one you’re poining the microphone at will be very low in volume, making it a perfect choice for shooting interviews, for example. Being a condenser microphone, the Aputure Deity needs 48V phantom power from the camera or recording device you’re using it with. The majority of available recorders do provide phantom power so this shouldn’t be a problem. In terms of features, the Aputure Deity is very close to its obvious competitor, the Sennheiser MKH 416 shotgun mic. However, the Deity will set you back only a third of the cash required for a MKH 416. This microphone seems to be a very decent choice indeed. Let’s have a look at this review by Curtis Judd – however we can’t give our personal opinion about it until we have reviewed it ourselves, which we plan to do as soon as we get our hands on a review unit. Specifications and Availability Given its competitive price point and features, I think the Aputure Deity is well worth a closer look. It comes in two different kits: the basic kit contains the Deity itself, a basic mirophone clamp and a windshield, everything packed in a nice waterproof case. The Deity Location Kit extends the basic kit with a Rycote shockmount and a fluffy windscreen. Hyper Cardiod polar pattern Low inherent self-noise 130 dB SPL (@1kHz, 1% THD into 1 kΩ) No low-cut / hi-pass Good handling noise Rugged build quality and water resistance Dimensions: 19mm x 250mm (same as Sennheiser MKH 416) 24V or 48V phantom power is required The Aputure Deity is available now and the price is $359 for the basic kit and $429 for the location kit. You can read more about it on the Aputure Website. What is your favorite microphone in the field? Let us know in the comments below!

We thank our sponsor B&H who has made cinema5D’s news coverage of IBC 2012 possible. Get your gear through B&H to support this platform: www.bhphotovideo.com Here we’ve got a new and very nice looking shotgun mic by Sennheiser that was designed for use with small video cameras and HDSLR’s. Usually these mics are very tiny and lightweight, the previous generation MKE 400 comes to mind. The new MKE 600 is larger and heaver, but also looks a lot more serious and capable. This is a microphone people have been anticipating. While it’s not cheap it might deliver some very good sound. The sound pro’s in the forum (LINK) will have more to say on that point. The Sennheiser MKE 600 is $399: