Do you want to buy an external microphone for your action camera but can not decide which action camera mic is best for you? This guide will help you to decide.
If you made a great shot with your action camera but when passing it to the computer you realize that the sound is not of sufficient quality, then it is time that you think about purchasing an external microphone for an action camera.
Most cameras have an internal microphone, but of rather limited quality. So, to get the best result, it is advisable to buy an external one. In fact, regardless of the type of video you want to shoot (a music clip, a documentary or an amateur video), the sound quality can make the difference. This action camera accessory will guarantee that the sound is consistent with the quality of the recorded videos. In this post, I will explain everything you need to know about microphones for sports cameras.
Why trust us?
Our editorial team spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and comparing products to find the best value for money.
We do not publish sponsored articles. We sometimes receive a commission from Amazon when you buy a product via our links. It allows us to finance our work while remaining completely impartial. Read more
How to choose the best microphone for a sports camera?
Connectivity
By this, I mean that you look through which port the microphone connects to the sports camera. Usually, they are connected through the mini USB, micro USB or jack port. There are some models that include an adapter for greater connection possibilities.
Types of microphones and clamping
Microphones for sports cameras, according to their support, are usually of 3 types:
The barrel microphones, which, as the name implies, have the shape of a small cannon. They are placed on a support at the top of the camera and are characterized by minimizing the ambient noise quite a bit, by picking up the sound of only one direction.
Lapel microphones are comfortable and easy to use, fit clothes by means of a clip and are used for interviews and reviews. They should be placed near the neck and although their sound quality is slightly lower than those of the cannon, they are lighter.
Last but not least are the headband microphones. As the name implies, these are placed on the head, allowing greater freedom of movement. They have good sound quality when they are adjusted very close to the mouth and are used in interviews and to record singing videos.
You can also classify the microphones according to the type of sound you are going to record; in this case, they can be dynamic or condenser microphones.
Dynamic microphones are characterized by being robust and resistant, they are used in TV studios, interviews and outdoor shows. They are usually used to record loud sounds and within a short distance. In addition, they do not need batteries or connection the current for their operation.
While condenser or condenser microphones are used to record fine and detailed sounds, such as voices or piano sounds to name an example. They are widely used in recording studios because they pick up sounds with great clarity, but they are more delicate and expensive than dynamic ones. They also usually have noise elimination system.
Compatibility
A very important point before buying. Usually, these microphones are compatible with most sports cameras, but you should check if it is with the specific model of your camera.
There are some microphones that are only compatible with GoPro Hero 3 models onwards.
There are also microphones that in addition to being used with sports cameras are suitable for VCRs and DSLR cameras. In particular, I consider the latter to be the best, since they offer you greater versatility of use.
Sound quality
At this point, the higher the sound quality the microphone offers you, the better.
Keep in mind that a unidirectional microphone will give you a better sound quality, being focused on picking up the sound of a small space in front of it (usually 30 °), while an omnidirectional microphone picks up the sounds at all angles, but for that reason, the sound quality is a little lower.
In any case, you must choose a microphone that has a noise filter function, this will be responsible for eliminating wind noise and other distortions of the recording, emitting a reverse wave and creating a sharper sound. In general, condenser microphones and those used for voice recording have this function.
The best action camera microphones available right now
Below you can see a list of microphones for sports cameras that I have selected for their good value for money and excellent comments.
Saramonic G-Mic Stereo Ball Microphone
The Saramonic G-Mic is an excellent external action camera mic for your GoPro and other sports cameras. You can record pure professional-quality stereo sound with this external microphone for an action camera. In addition, it is a compact and lightweight device, so you can take it with you on any trip or just use it for everyday shooting.
This microphone differs from others in being plug and play. By this I mean that it connects directly to the camera without adapters, being more convenient to use. It is ideal for use with GoPro HERO3, HERO3 +, HERO4 cameras or with any that has a mini USB port. The extra included is the rubber windshield, perfect for filtering unwanted noise in the recordings. By using the Saramonic GoMic, you will get a completely new sound on your records!
Discover more and the price here
Rode VideoMic GO Action Camera Mic
The best thing about this microphone is its robustness and quality; It is quite strong and can be used even in adverse weather conditions and guarantees excellent sound quality. The Rode VideoMic Go device is made specially, for digital video cameras of various levels and classes.
It is suitable for use with any DSLR camera, sports camera and others that have a 3.5 mm Jack port. Its buyers indicate that despite being a little big it is quite light, allowing you to move the camera with ease. The box includes the microphone, the 3.5 mm Jack cable and the red microphone stand.
Rode VideoMic Go is great in situations when you want to hear what you say – rather than be content with offscreen sounds on the sides and from behind.
Discover more and the price here
Movo GM100 Lavalier Lapel External Microphone
This clip-on omnidirectional mic is an amazing external microphone for all kinds of video makers. This Movo device is so much better than the mic embedded in GoPro cameras. By the way, it is not only for GoPro – it goes together with DSLR and other cameras as well.
You can use this mic in DSLR cameras, camcorders, recorders, GoPro HERO3, HERO3 + & HERO4 cameras and anyone with a 3.5 mm Jack or mini USB port.
The microphone is lightweight and portable. Its users highlight its ease of use and its flexible gooseneck, which allows the microphone to be fixed in one position. The package includes 1 adapter for mini USB, foam protector and 2 flap clips.
Discover more and the price here
Purple Panda Lavalier Lapel External Microphone for Action Camera
This lavalier microphone for sports cameras is great for many reasons. It is a small and unnoticeable mic but it is able to produce pretty good quality stereo audio sound. The company that produces this mic is not so popular and might be considered as a budget one, but this doesn’t make its products undesirable. On the contrary, you can get nice equipment for a reasonable price which is always great.
The mic is lightweight and durable. What we liked most is its plug and play option. You don’t need to fine-tune settings or download additional software. Just connect the mic to your device, it will start to operate.
Buyers of this microphone have good opinions about it, highlighting its sound quality and price-quality. In addition, it comes with a very long cord, which is, in our opinion, very convenient because it means you can use it in many different circumstances.
Discover more and the price here
BOYA BY-M1 Condenser Microphone
Another very interesting option is this lavalier microphone model that can be hooked on clothes (its use is very specific). It is small, can be put anywhere and works perfectly to record your voice.
This model is characterized by being simple and economical, it is connected through the 3.5 mm Jack port and also through the mini USB, thanks to its included adapter.
It is ideal for use on GoPro Hero cameras and any other camera that has the 2 ports that I already mentioned.
Users of this microphone point out that it provides a very good sound quality. It includes as extras 1 foam windshield, so that the sound of the wind does not interfere in the recordings and 1 clip to adjust the microphone to the clothes.
Discover more and the price here
Rode VideoMic Pro+ External Microphone for Action Camera
The VideoMic Pro is the most popular directional microphone for action, SLR and DSLR cameras. The Rode VideoMic Pro is a shotgun with everything you can ask for from a microphone. It is ultra-compact (150mm in length) and does not hang over the camera, weighs only 85 grams and has a range of around 70 hours.
Includes a windproof cover and connects via a 3.5mm stereo mini-jack. The sound quality is professional and is perfect for recording dialogue and sound coming from the front. Rode is one of the best brands in terms of microphones and this model is, without doubt, the best in terms of quality/price.
Discover more and the price here
Sennheiser MKE 400 External Microphone for Action Camera
This is another of the best microphones on the market. The price is similar to that of the RODE, it is a slightly longer model, so it is more suitable if you need to record a sound source coming from a specific location.
The model in question consists of an all-metal body, a filter for side noises, an anti-wind filter, 300 hours of operation with a AAA battery (much more than the RODE) and an integrated mounting system. Another option on the MKE 400 but not on the RODE is the possibility to choose the recording mode between short and long-distance, particular not just, which could make your choice fall on this model.
Discover more and the price here
Do the opinions for action camera microphone represent a definitive choice?
Later we can say that the camera microphone can be evaluated very well or for example very bad.
In both cases, we can get an idea of how the product looks. Due to numerous positive evaluations, we can say that the camera microphone has a very high quality. Instead in the opposite case, we can say that few evaluations lead to think that a product is of poor quality.
It must be said that it is not always the case with all products, many, if they have few evaluations, means that they have been on the market for a short time and therefore the buyers have not yet expressed their own opinion if they had bought it.
However, Amazon makes life easier for us to determine if a product deserves our money or not, as sellers have to list every single detail about the products for sale. This will help you make a suitable choice to buy the best camera microphone.