Shotgun and on-camera microphones

Shotgun and on-camera microphones that narrow what the camera hears to what it is pointed at, from compact on-camera to broadcast tubes.

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Shotgun and on-camera microphones: Shure VP83 Lenshopper™ in use
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How to choose a shotgun microphone

Powering and output. On-camera models such as the Rode VideoMic GO II and VideoMicro II run on plug-in power over a 3.5 mm jack or USB-C and need nothing else. Broadcast tubes like the Rode NTG5 and Shure VP89 output XLR and need 48 V phantom from a recorder, mixer or camera with XLR inputs.

Tube length versus reach. A longer interference tube rejects more from the sides but is harder to aim and unforgiving off-axis. Short mics are more usable handheld; long mics belong on a boom pole.

Self-noise. Quoted in dB-A. Below about 15 dB-A you can record quiet dialogue without the hiss becoming the floor of the mix.

Mounting. Every one of these needs shock isolation and, outdoors, a windshield — those live in microphone accessories.

Rode supplies 18 of these, Shure adds the VP83F Lenshopper and VP82, and Godox and SmallRig cover the budget on-camera end. Shure and Atomos models show prices. Where a Rode or Godox model says Request price, we confirm price and lead time on your quote.

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Questions we get asked

Does a shotgun microphone let me record from far away?

No. It rejects sound from the sides, it does not amplify distant sound. The mic still has to get close — usually within a metre of the speaker, just outside frame.

Can I mount a shotgun microphone on the camera and get good dialogue?

Only for close, single-subject work. Camera-mounted means mic-to-subject distance equals camera-to-subject distance, so wide shots always sound wide. A boom or a lavalier fixes that.

Do I need phantom power for a shotgun microphone?

XLR broadcast shotguns need 48 V phantom power. Compact on-camera models run on plug-in power from a 3.5 mm jack, an internal battery or USB-C.

What is the difference between a shotgun and a supercardioid microphone?

A shotgun uses an interference tube to sharpen its pickup pattern lengthwise. A supercardioid achieves a narrow pattern without the tube, so it is shorter and more tolerant of off-axis movement.

Do I need a windshield outdoors?

Yes. A foam windscreen handles indoor air movement only. Outdoors you need a furry cover, and in real wind a blimp with a fur cover over it.