In this blog I want to share with you my thoughts and experiences on my recent camera and vlogging equipment.
Over the past year or so, I’ve used my iPhone for all my photos, videos, live streaming and vlogging. Yes, I know it was the best, but the photo and video quality was ok for what I needed it for. However, one thing that really failed on me was the audio quality. I needed something better.
It’s mid-2017, and after some convincing by my close friends, I decided to take the plunge into digital photography with a mirrorless camera – the Sony a6300
With the Sony a6300, my photos and videos are now much better in quality. However, the built-in audio was again a let down. So, what’s the solution? Well, to fix this issue, I had to invest in a decent microphone that can be used with a camera.
Several choices came into mind, and here’s a quick list of the ones we’ve had the pleasure to use …
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Rode Videomic Pro – Verdict: Very good mono shotgun mic
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Azden SMX-30
– Verdict: Excellent mono/stereo microphone for DSLR
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Sennheiser AVX-ME2 Wireless – Verdict: Excellent wireless, but expensive lavalier mic kit. Read the review here.
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Azden Pro-XD Wireless – Verdict: Very good and affordable wireless mic kit. Read the review here.
So which one would I recommend? Well, because I do a lot of unboxing videos, presentations and on occasion some interviews, I need my hands to be free. So for that reason, I would recommend the Azden Pro-XD
If I was behind the camera filming a subject, and want to capture the subject’s spoken audio/speech, then I would recommend the Rode Videomic Pro
For all round mono and stereo audio capture, then the Azden SMX-30 is your best bet. You get the best of both worlds. Mono settings allow you to capture clear audio for speech, while in stereo mode, you’ll be able to capture the full ambience of the situation.
As for the Sennheiser AVX-ME2, this is the best wireless lavalier microphone I’ve ever used. It’s really aimed at the professional user who wants unmatched audio quality. The quality of the audio recording is nothing short of exceptional. The onbly down side is the price, which currently retails at USD $699.
And here’s my final list of equipment for my video setup so far.
- Sony a6300
mirrorless camera
- Smallrig cage and top handle for the above
- Rode Videomic Pro
mono shotgun mic
- Azden Pro-XD
wireless lavalier mic
As I’ve mention before, I’m a complete novice when it comes to photography and filming. I still have a ton of things to learn, but it’s been a fun process.
Over the next few months, I’ll be photographing, filming and producing videos using the above setup. And if discover any issues (or if I find new tips) I’ll be sure to let you guys know. I hope I’ve given you some advice and ideas what to get, if you decide to take your photography and vlogging to the next level.
Until my next blog… this is Winston 😊👍
Related Articles
- Smallrig Cage – Camera Rig Setup for Sony a6300
- Sony Alpha α6300 Mirrorless Camera – Quick Hands-on
- Azden Pro-XD Wireless Lavalier Microphone Review
- Sennheiser AVX-ME2 Set Review – Wireless Clip-On Lavalier Microphone
- Avermedia Live Gamer Extreme Review (Tested with Canon 80D)
