With the EOS 5D, which came out in August 2005, Canon “defined a new DSLR category,” in their words. The 5D was the first “full frame” sensor camera with a compact body, meaning it didn’t have a built-in vertical grip. Since then, it has become very popular, perhaps because it was the only option if you wanted a full-frame DSLR to use with your Canon lenses but didn’t want the bulky EOS-1D body. Now that it’s been three years and the Nikon D700 and Sony DSLR-A900 have come out, it’s clear that Canon thinks it’s time for a change.
So, here’s the 5D Mark II, which has a lot of great features and a high resolution: 21 megapixels, 1080p video, a 3.0″ VGA LCD, a Live view, and a bigger battery. In other words, a camera that wants to beat both of its direct competitors, either in resolution (as with the D700) or features (in the case of the DSLR-A900). Read more below.
Key features or changes
- 21 megapixel CMOS sensor (very similar to the sensor in the EOS-1Ds Mark III)
- Sensors reduce dust by making the filter shake.
- Calibrated range of ISO 100 to 6400, expansion range of ISO 50 to 25600 (1Ds Mark III & 5D max ISO 3200)
- All modes except manual use auto ISO (100–3200).
- 3.9 frames per second of shooting in a row
- Like the EOS 50D, it has a DIGIC 4 processor and new menus and controls.
- Automatically adjust the brightness of an LCD (ambient light sensor)
- Live view auto-focus with three modes (including face detection)
- If contrast-detect AF is chosen, there is no mirror flip when taking pictures in Live View.
- Taking a movie in real-time (1080p H.264 up to 12 minutes, VGA H.264 up to 24 mins per clip)
- Two ways to shoot in silence (in live view)
- New ways to jump into the game mode
- HDMI and regular composite (AV) video out
- Full audio support: built-in mic and speaker, mic-in jack, and audio out over AV (although not HDMI)
Best Canon EOS 5D Mark II Microphones
Movo VXR10 Universal Video Microphone with Shock Mount, Deadcat Windscreen, Case for iPhone, Android Smartphones, Canon EOS, Nikon DSLR Cameras...
- UNIVERSAL COMPATIBILITY: External microphone for iPhone, Androids, Cameras, Camcorders, Audio Recorders, Tablets, and Laptops. Use as iPhone microphone, DSLR microphone or camera mic.
- PROFESSIONAL MOVO MIC: The durable aluminum construction and battery-free design includes a sturdy integrated shock mount to minimize handling noise.
Free shipping
Rode VideoMic GO II Camera-mount Lightweight Directional Microphone
- The VideoMic GO II is a compact, lightweight, easy-to-use shotgun microphone for capturing professional quality audio with ease
- 3.5mm TRS output for use with cameras and a digital USB output for use with smartphones, tablets and computers
Free shipping
TAKSTAR SGC-598 Photography Interview Shotgun MIC Microphone for Nikon Canon DSLR Camera (Need 3.5mm Interface)
- Low power indicator
- Transducer Principle: Back Electret Condenser
- Directivity Characteristic: Cardioid
- Powered by 1.5V AA alkaline battery
- Sensitivity: -32dB+/-3dB(0dB=1V/Pa at 1kHz)
BOYA Microphone Camera Super-Cardioid Condenser Video Shotgun Microphone by-MM1+ with Headphone Monitoring for Camera DSLR Android iPhone Mac PC Live...
- ❤ BY-MM1+ is an NEW UPGRADED super-cardioid condenser microphone that delivers lower noise and higher sensitivity sound on you smartphones, tablets, DSLRs, consumer camcorder, Pcs and more
- ❤ Features a compact and rugged aluminium body, while it will not be a heavy burden when recording
Deity V-Mic D3 Pro High SNR Super-Cardioid Directional Shotgun Microphone with Rycote Shockmount for DSLRs, Camcorders, Smartphones, Tablets, Handy Recorders,...
- Universal 3.5mm TRRS output Adapts to Whatever Type of 3.5mm TS, TRS, or TRRS Microphone
- dslr mic, High-Quality SNR, Low Noise & Distortion
- 75/150Hz Low Cut Filters
- Intelligent Power On/Off, Light Weight, Suitable as Vlogging Microphone, video mic pro
Sennheiser Professional MKE 600 Shotgun Microphone with XLR-3 to 3.5mm Connector for Video Camera/Camcorder
- Ideal video camera/camcorder microphone: Able to handle the most demanding filmic challenges
- High directivity: Picks up sounds coming from the direction in which the camera is pointing and effectively attenuates noise coming from the sides and rear
Free shipping
Sennheiser Professional MKE 400 Directional On-Camera Shotgun Microphone with 3.5mm TRS and TRRS Connectors for DSLR, Mirrorless & Mobile
- Highly directional, super-cardioid shotgun microphone for isolated and enhanced in-camera audio for your video
- Integrated wind protection and internal suspension mount to minimize handling noise
- Built-in low-cut filter and 3-step sensitivity switch for added flexibility and control in any environment
Free shipping
1. Movo VXR10
Movo VXR10 Universal Video Microphone with Shock Mount, Deadcat Windscreen, Case for iPhone, Android Smartphones, Canon EOS, Nikon DSLR Cameras...
- UNIVERSAL COMPATIBILITY: External microphone for iPhone, Androids, Cameras, Camcorders, Audio Recorders, Tablets, and Laptops. Use as iPhone microphone, DSLR microphone or camera mic.
- PROFESSIONAL MOVO MIC: The durable aluminum construction and battery-free design includes a sturdy integrated shock mount to minimize handling noise.
Free shipping
The Movo Photo VXR10 is a cardioid condenser microphone that can be used with DSLR cameras, camcorders, iPhones, Android devices, smartphones, tablets, and more to record audio for media that can be seen. It has a black look.
This is a shotgun-style mic with a cardioid polar pattern. It works best when mounted on a camera because it focuses on what’s in front of the character and cuts out sound from the sides. The power for this condenser microphone comes from your phone or camera, so it doesn’t need batteries. It has a frequency response of 35 Hz to 18 kHz, which is good for recording audio for most media that can be seen.
This microphone comes with a soft case for storing it and a windscreen made of fur for use when it’s windy outside. It comes with a 3.5mm TRS cable for DSLR cameras, camcorders, and recorders. A 3.5mm TRRS cable is given for phones, tablets, and Apple products. The mic also has a shock mount that reduces vibrations and handling noise so that the sound is captured more smoothly.
2. Rode VideoMicro Go II
Rode VideoMic GO II Camera-mount Lightweight Directional Microphone
- The VideoMic GO II is a compact, lightweight, easy-to-use shotgun microphone for capturing professional quality audio with ease
- 3.5mm TRS output for use with cameras and a digital USB output for use with smartphones, tablets and computers
Free shipping
The Rode VideoMic GO II ultra-compact shotgun microphone is a smaller, more simplified version of the very versatile VideoMic NTG. It is a big change from the original VideoMic GO, with major improvements to the body, shock mount, cable, and more.
It gives video content creators, run-and-gun filmmakers, voiceover artists, and podcasters the sound of the well-known NTG shotguns in a convenient camera-mount mic that works with cameras, portable recorders, iOS, and Android mobile devices, and USB-equipped computers.
TAKSTAR SGC-598 Photography Interview Shotgun MIC Microphone for Nikon Canon DSLR Camera (Need 3.5mm Interface)
- Low power indicator
- Transducer Principle: Back Electret Condenser
- Directivity Characteristic: Cardioid
- Powered by 1.5V AA alkaline battery
- Sensitivity: -32dB+/-3dB(0dB=1V/Pa at 1kHz)
On a tight budget and looking for a cheap microphone? In this video, photographer Curtis Judd looks at the Takstar SGC-598, a very cheap shotgun microphone.
Judd’s experience with the mic shows that it’s a pretty good unit for a low-end microphone, though it does have some hiss that can be reduced in post. This cheap mic can also be used as a backup or second mic. If you’re recording your main sound into an external recorder and want a backup just in case, but don’t want to spend too much on a good shotgun mic that you won’t use 99% of the time, the Takstar SGC-598 can be an option. Just be aware that it has some problems.
Our HDSLR channel on lensvid.com has more tips on how to record sound for video work, and our photography previews and reviews channel has more product reviews.
4. Boya By-Mm1 Super-Cardioid Video Microphone
BOYA Microphone Camera Super-Cardioid Condenser Video Shotgun Microphone by-MM1+ with Headphone Monitoring for Camera DSLR Android iPhone Mac PC Live...
- ❤ BY-MM1+ is an NEW UPGRADED super-cardioid condenser microphone that delivers lower noise and higher sensitivity sound on you smartphones, tablets, DSLRs, consumer camcorder, Pcs and more
- ❤ Features a compact and rugged aluminium body, while it will not be a heavy burden when recording
The BOYA BY-MM1 Mini Cardioid Condenser Microphone is a small, lightweight electret condenser microphone that is made to improve the sound quality of videos taken with cameras that have built-in microphones. It works with smartphones, consumer camcorders, computers, and other audio/video recording devices that can plug in power to the mic.
The BY-MM1 microphone offers a real plug-and-play design and operates on plug-in power from your device, so no battery is needed. It’s made of aluminium and comes with a shock mount, a carrying pouch, and a furry windshield.
Also included is a 3.5mm TRS to 3.5mm TRS cable for cameras, camcorders, and audio recorders, as well as a 3.5mm TRS to TRRS mini-jack cable for smartphones, tablets, or Mac computers.
- Durable metal building
- There’s no battery needed
- Includes a professional furry windshield
5. Deity D3 Pro
Deity V-Mic D3 Pro High SNR Super-Cardioid Directional Shotgun Microphone with Rycote Shockmount for DSLRs, Camcorders, Smartphones, Tablets, Handy Recorders,...
- Universal 3.5mm TRRS output Adapts to Whatever Type of 3.5mm TS, TRS, or TRRS Microphone
- dslr mic, High-Quality SNR, Low Noise & Distortion
- 75/150Hz Low Cut Filters
- Intelligent Power On/Off, Light Weight, Suitable as Vlogging Microphone, video mic pro
The Deity Microphones V-Mic D3 Pro is a camera-mount shotgun microphone with directional audio capture, adjustable gain and filtering, and wide device compatibility for mobile journalists, vloggers, YouTubers, and run-and-gun videographers. It is designed to offer a noticeable improvement in sound quality over microphones built into cameras, smartphones, and portable recorders.
The V-Mic D3 Pro works with a wide range of DSLRs, camcorders, mobile devices, and portable audio recorders because it has a microprocessor built in that automatically sets up its TRRS connector to work with most 3.5mm mic input jacks. Attaching it to your camera, boom pole, or tripod is easy and quick with the 3.5mm TRRS coiled cable and Rycote adjustable shock mount that come with it.
A knob on the bottom of the mic gives you up to 20 dB of gain, which makes it easy to adjust the levels. Turn on the built-in low-cut filter at 75 Hz or 150 Hz to cut down on rumble and bass. The 51-hour rechargeable battery inside the microphone is the main source of power.
To turn the mic on or off, you only need to plug in power (bias voltage) from your camera or mixer. The aluminum body is finished with paint that doesn’t reflect much light, so it won’t weigh down your camera or cause glare.
6. Sennheiser MKE 600
Sennheiser Professional MKE 600 Shotgun Microphone with XLR-3 to 3.5mm Connector for Video Camera/Camcorder
- Ideal video camera/camcorder microphone: Able to handle the most demanding filmic challenges
- High directivity: Picks up sounds coming from the direction in which the camera is pointing and effectively attenuates noise coming from the sides and rear
Free shipping
Switch from the built-in mic on your camera to the Sennheiser MKE 600 battery- or phantom-powered shotgun microphone to improve the sound quality of your videos. Its focused directionality and resistance to structure-borne noise make it a good choice for a wide range of productions, from independent films and web series to nature shows and documentaries.
The MKE 600’s high sensitivity and low-noise circuitry make it possible to get better sound quality from noisy camera preamps without using a lot of gains. With a natural roll-off at 40 Hz and a low-cut filter that can be set at 100 Hz, the MKE 600 can make speech clear while reducing rumble and other low-frequency noise. Also, its frequency response has a slight rise in the treble to make speech sound clearer.
The metal housing is strong and light, so it won’t weigh down your rig but will still be tough. The shoe shock mount that comes with the MKE 600 lets you attach it to a camera or tripod. Connect the mic’s XLR output to an XLR mic preamp, or use the adapter cable that came with the mic to plug it into a camera’s 3.5mm mic input.
7. Sennheiser MKE 400 Shotgun Microphone
Sennheiser Professional MKE 400 Directional On-Camera Shotgun Microphone with 3.5mm TRS and TRRS Connectors for DSLR, Mirrorless & Mobile
- Highly directional, super-cardioid shotgun microphone for isolated and enhanced in-camera audio for your video
- Integrated wind protection and internal suspension mount to minimize handling noise
- Built-in low-cut filter and 3-step sensitivity switch for added flexibility and control in any environment
Free shipping
Add the second-generation Sennheiser MKE 400 directional shotgun microphone, which is small and light, to your camera or smartphone-based shooting rig to improve the sound quality, even in noisy places, without having to carry around a heavy windscreen and suspension system.
Plus, it has a 3-stage gain control and a low-cut filter so you can improve the sound of your recording right at the mic.
