Sony ECM-B1M Shotgun Microphone

I am quite amazed at the performance of this mic, as digital signal processing gives excellent directionality and off-axis signal rejection when needed. Having three pickup pattens at the touch of a switch is extremely useful in the field to cover different shooting situations quickly.The noise reduction feature is very effective without interfering with signal quality. I am finding it possible to do excellent interviews with the on camera mic at distances that would have been impossible before. Maybe not quite as good as having a sound man, but a huge step forward for one-man-banding. My only complaint is that the included softie is not particularly effective against wind noise, but good third-party solutions are available. Using it on the A7R4, I also very much ... MoreI am quite amazed at the performance of this mic, as digital signal processing gives excellent directionality and off-axis signal rejection when needed. Having three pickup pattens at the touch of a switch is extremely useful in the field to cover different shooting situations quickly.The noise reduction feature is very effective without interfering with signal quality. I am finding it possible to do excellent interviews with the on camera mic at distances that would have been impossible before. Maybe not quite as good as having a sound man, but a huge step forward for one-man-banding. My only complaint is that the included softie is not particularly effective against wind noise, but good third-party solutions are available. Using it on the A7R4, I also very much appreciate having an easily accessible manual volume control. For me a leap forward in on-camera mics.

I am a content creator and videographer and I use the a7s3 as my run-n-gunning, slow-mo capturing, quick-clip getting video beast. Alongside my Canon C70 it is a fantastic camera mate.... however to keep this camera in this fast category you will want a microphone that first all all captures fantastic audio, but also one where batteries are not a worry and cables are not a thing... enter the ECM-B1M.This is that microphone. No cables??? No batteries??? And fantastic sound? Seriously sign up. I actually waited on back-order for 2 months for this thing, and it was worth the wait.Speaking of waiting... but wait there is more!So, when I mean fantastic audio, I mean it because you get like a mini-KVM. You get analog controls to dial in the input, as well as ... MoreI am a content creator and videographer and I use the a7s3 as my run-n-gunning, slow-mo capturing, quick-clip getting video beast. Alongside my Canon C70 it is a fantastic camera mate.... however to keep this camera in this fast category you will want a microphone that first all all captures fantastic audio, but also one where batteries are not a worry and cables are not a thing... enter the ECM-B1M.This is that microphone. No cables??? No batteries??? And fantastic sound? Seriously sign up. I actually waited on back-order for 2 months for this thing, and it was worth the wait.Speaking of waiting... but wait there is more!So, when I mean fantastic audio, I mean it because you get like a mini-KVM. You get analog controls to dial in the input, as well as controls to how you want to pickup the audio, I.E Omni, UNI, or Multi-Directional sort of thing... in other words, do you want to pick up all around the mic, or just the front? the back? This does that.Finally, the icing on the cake, besides all this, and how it seamlessly integrates with the A7s3, is the size... its small and light. Actually it shocks you just how small and light it is.p.s. comes with a dead cat.This is the PERFECT microphone for run-n-gunners. Trust me.Power of Drew.

I would have given this five stars, but...My only major disappointment with this amazing mic is: the moment you plug it into the hot shoe it deactivates the 3.5mm mic input on the side of the camera (A7siii)... which means you can't run two channels of audio with it attached (e.g., with a supplemental Rode Wireless Go lav mic or equivalent). This was a bit frustrating for the price tag and seems like it is something that could be addressed in a firmware update (hint, hint Sony). Also, due to the internal nature of this problem, the lack of any aftermarket solution is equally disappointing.My only other minor gripe is the floating stabilization feature fails a bit (and produces an undesirable knocking sound) when pushed past a brisk walking pace in uneven terrain ... MoreI would have given this five stars, but...My only major disappointment with this amazing mic is: the moment you plug it into the hot shoe it deactivates the 3.5mm mic input on the side of the camera (A7siii)... which means you can't run two channels of audio with it attached (e.g., with a supplemental Rode Wireless Go lav mic or equivalent). This was a bit frustrating for the price tag and seems like it is something that could be addressed in a firmware update (hint, hint Sony). Also, due to the internal nature of this problem, the lack of any aftermarket solution is equally disappointing.My only other minor gripe is the floating stabilization feature fails a bit (and produces an undesirable knocking sound) when pushed past a brisk walking pace in uneven terrain (without a gimbal). That said, if you are planning to regularly move quickly and aggressively while filming, you likely wont be happy with this mic.Other than those two gripes, I am supremely impressed with everything else about this microphone.