Excellent Budget-Friendly On-Camera Shotgun Microphones

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Published: October 19, 2022 | Last Updated: June 12, 2025

DISCLOSURE: AS AN AMAZON ASSOCIATE I EARN FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES. READ THE FULL DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFO.

You cannot make professional videos without high-quality audio. The built-in microphone in your camera just doesn’t cut it if you want to capture the natural sound of a scene or an interview.

One way to improve the quality of your audio significantly is to use an on-camera shotgun microphone, which can be attached to your DSLR.

Shotgun microphones pick up sounds from sources in front of them. However, not all on-camera shotgun microphones are created equal.

Here, you can see eight excellent on-camera shotgun microphones that don’t break the bank.

These mics are ideal for beginners and experienced filmmakers and fit well with almost any DSLR or mirrorless camera!

1. Azden SMX-30 Stereo/Mono Switchable Video Microphone

Key specifications:

• Stereo and mono recording modes
• Cardioid and super-cardioid polar patterns
• -10dB, 0dB, and +20dB gain adjustments
• Auto power mode (automatically turns on/off with camera)
• Powered by two AA batteries
• 40Hz – 20kHz frequency
• Low-cut filter (high-pass filter) at 120Hz, 3dB/octave
• Integrated shock mount
• 3.5mm TRS output
• Foam and furry windshield included.
• 10-year manufacturer warranty

The Azden SMX-30 is an inexpensive and popular option among videographers. And with good reason, it’s a versatile and good option at this price point.

It comes with several interesting functions, such as the ability to record mono or stereo audio tracks. Because of this, the Azden SMX-30 has two polar patterns:

The stereo mic has a cardioid polar pattern, meaning it will pick up most of the sound from the front and some from the sides.

The mono microphone has a super-cardioid pattern, meaning it will pick up most of the sound from the front and some from the back. A switch on the mic allows you to toggle between mono and stereo modes.

You can adjust the mic and increase the gain by -10 or +20 dB if necessary.

This microphone also comes with a shock-absorbing shoe mount, which minimizes vibrations and eliminates handling noises to record a crystal-clear soundtrack.

Regarding power, this microphone works with two AA batteries. The microphone switches off automatically when your camera isn’t switched on.

This prevents it from using batteries when the camera isn’t in use. And it also prevents it from using its battery when it’s in the bag.

An LED light also lets you know when the microphone is on or off. That way, you can easily see if it’s attached to your camera and ready for recording.

As for connections, your Azden microphone also comes with a 3.5mm jack and can be easily connected to any DSLR camera.

Pros:

• Stereo and mono modes
• Inexpensive
• Auto power on/off
• Professional features
• Battery powered

Cons:

• No XLR cable

2. Rode VideoMic GO II Light Weight On-Camera Microphone

Key specifications:

• Supercardioid polar pattern
• Runs on plug-in power (no battery of phantom power necessary)
• 20Hz – 20kHz frequency
• Integrated shock mount
• Foam windscreen
• 3.5mm TRS output (with detachable cable)
• USB-C connection
• (Headphone connection)*
• MFi certified for Apple Lightning-equipped iOS products.
• Optional accessories available make it possible to use the mic with mobile devices.

The second microphone on our list is the Rode VideoMic GO II, the successor to the extremely popular Rode VideoMic GO.

Compared to the earlier version, the Rode has significantly upgraded the body, the shock mount, the cable, and more. 

As you probably already know, Rode is a popular manufacturer of shotgun microphones for DSLR cameras.

The VideoMic GO II has a super-cardioid polar pattern to pick up most of its sound from the sources in front of it.

The frequency range of the RodeVideoMic GO II is 20Hz – 20kHz, which is excellent for interviews and vlogging and a significant upgrade from its predecessor.

It also includes a 3.5mm jack, which can quickly connect to your DSLR camera.

Your camera powers it, so you don’t need extra batteries. But the GO II also has a new USB Type-C connection to use it as a USB microphone for your mobile device or computer.

*When you do so, the 3.5mm TRS output works as a headphone output, so you can monitor the volume of whatever you’re recording and check that you don’t get any nasty spikes, which ruins the recording.

You’ll find a windshield for this mic, a Rycote Lyre shock mount, and the instructions manual in the package.

The microphone is made from ABS materials, which are durable and lightweight. The mic only weighs 96 grams (3.4 ounces), including the mount and windscreen.

You can get accessories such as a TRRS jack to connect it to your smartphone or an XLR adapter to attach to your camcorder.

Pros:

• Inexpensive
• Good microphone for vloggers
• Detachable cable
• Lightweight
• Camera-powered
• USB-C connection
• Headphone out possibility
• Removable cable

Cons:

• No options to adjust the input gain
• No high-pass filter
• No extra furry windshield included as standard

3. Rode VideoMic Pro+ Compact Directional On-Camera Shotgun Condenser Microphone

Key specifications:

• Supercardioid polar pattern
• Runs on 2 x AA batteries or one rechargeable Rode LB-1 battery
• Power switch with LED and auto on / off
• 20Hz – 20kHz frequency
• A high-pass filter with low cuts at 75Hz or 150Hz
• Treble boost
• Integrated shock mount
• Foam windscreen
• 3.5mm TRS output (with detachable cable)
• Optional accessories available make it possible to use the mic with mobile devices.

If you’re looking for a good shotgun mic that is a bestseller, check out the Rode VideoMic Pro+.

The Rode VideoMic Pro has long been very popular among videographers and filmmakers for good reasons. The Pro+ has several improvements over the original version, which was already good.

The Pro+ has a frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz and multiple built-in features.

The polar pattern is super-cardioid so that the surrounding noise will be minimal. The mic also comes with a Rycote Lyre shock mounting system, which reduces vibrations and rumbles while recording.

The microphone also has a two-stage high-pass filter at 75Hz and 150Hz.

You have a 3-Stage Gain Control allowing you to get +20dB while recording, -10dB, or regular gain. Gain control is a great option if your sound source is very high or low.

The Rode VideoMic Pro+ also comes with a high-pass filter, which reduces the surrounding noise and rumble caused by traffic.

The mic can be powered in multiple ways.

First, it comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery lasting over 100 hours. And when it is time to recharge it, you can do so by USB. S

Second, if you’re out on a shoot, and the battery runs out of power, and you don’t have the time to recharge it, you can just put in standard AA batteries.

Third, if you have a USB power bank, you can run the microphone off of this. Nice!

Also, the microphone automatically switches on and off when you turn your camera on and off.

This is nice because you’re sure always to have the microphone turned on when you press record, and you won’t miss recording the audio in a scene.

Likewise, you won’t need to worry about switching the microphone off to save battery. The microphone does that for you automatically.

Another nice feature is that the cable can be detached. So if you need to plug in a 3.5mm TRRS cable (instead of the 3.5mm TRS cable you use with your DSLR) and use it with your smartphone, you can easily do so.

Because the cable isn’t soldered to the microphone, you can buy a new one if it gets damaged.

It is nice that you don’t have to send the whole microphone for repair if the cable gets damaged.

The package contains multiple accessories such as a windshield, 3.5mm mini-jack TRS cable, manual instructions, a USB cable, a rechargeable battery, and a charger.

The Rode VideoMic Pro+ is one of the best microphones in this price range and my top pick when I don’t need boom microphones (see the NTG2 below).

Pros:

• Reasonable price for the professional features
• Auto power on/off with LED indicator
• Gain control
• 2 high-pass filters
• Treble boost
• Professional features
• Battery powered

Cons:

• No XLR cable included as standard
• No extra furry windshield (DeadCat) included as standard

4. Rode NTG2 Multi-Powered Condenser Shotgun Microphone

Key specifications:

• Supercardioid polar pattern
• Runs on 1 x AA battery OR 48 V phantom power
• Power switch with LED and auto on / off
• 20Hz – 20kHz frequency
• High-pass filter 80Hz, 12 dB/octave
• Slight presence boost
• Integrated shock mount
• Foam windscreen
• XLR connector
• Mic Clip

Yes, this is yet another microphone from Rode!

The Rode NTG2 is more of a traditional condenser shotgun mic that provides excellent sound quality while remaining lightweight and easy to use.

This short shotgun mic is supplied with a mount (not a shock mount) for microphone stands and boom poles.

However, if you get the Rode SM3 shock mount, you can easily attach it to your camera.

The Røde NTG 2 has a super-cardioid polar pattern, which minimizes the surrounding noise while recording. Most of the sound will be picked up from the front, so ensure your subjects are positioned ahead of the microphone, not at the sides.

The frequency response is 20 to 20 kHz and features an 80 Hz high-pass filter that eliminates unwanted noise caused by traffic or similar sources.

You also get a windshield.

This mic uses AA batteries or 48 Volt phantom power. Because it can be powered either way, you can use it with cameras that don’t have phantom power.

The Rode NTG 2 also has a maximum SPL (Sound Pressure Level) of 131 dB so that you can use it on loud sound sources without distortion.

The metallic construction makes this microphone nearly impossible to damage, so it will be a loyal companion for any videographer for years to come.

If you’re worried about weight, remember that this mic weighs only 161 grams, or about 5.7 ounces. It can be easily attached to any DSLR camera and works well with a boom arm.

Another great advantage of this mic is its 10-year warranty supplied by Rode. Knowing that your investment is protected gives you more peace of mind.

This is an excellent choice for a true shotgun microphone if you’re on a tight budget.

Pros:

• Best budget shotgun mic
• Usable on a mic stand, boom camera or on-camera
• Auto power on/off with LED indicator
• Gain control
• 2 high-pass filters
• Treble boost
• Professional features
• Battery powered

Cons:

• No XLR cable included as standard
• No shockmount included as standard
• No extra furry windshield (DeadCat) included as standard
• It needs an adapter to a 3.5mm jack if your camera or recorder doesn’t have XLR

5. Sennheiser MKE 400 Professional Shotgun Microphone

Key specifications:

• Supercardioid polar pattern
• Runs on 2 x AAA batteries
• Auto-power on / off
• 50Hz – 20kHz frequency
• High-pass filter 200Hz
• Gain switch of -20 dB, 0 dB, and +20 dB
• Built-in wind jammer
• Green LED power indicator
• 3.5mm locking output and detachable cables (TRS and TTRS)
• Headphone connector 3.5mm with volume control
• Furry windshield
• Mic Clip

Sennheiser is known for high-quality audio equipment and providing some of the best sound tools for the music industry, such as microphones and headphones. The Sennheiser MKE 400 is no exception.

It has a stereo, super-cardioid polar pattern, meaning it can pick up most of the sound from the source directly in front of it.

It can be connected to your DSLR using a 3.5mm jack and uses two AAA batteries as a power source. At around 5.8 ounces, this relatively light microphone won’t add too much weight to your camera while filming.

The frequency response is from 50 Hz to 20 kHz, and it includes a dB pad with three sensitivity levels (-20dB (left button position), 0 (middle button position), and +20dB (right button position)), which can be used in different loudness situations.

The mic also has a switchable low-cut filter at 200 Hz to filter out low-frequency noises.

You might also be happy to find out that the all-metal construction makes this solid as a brick.

The Sennheiser MK 400 is compatible with most DSLR cameras and has a shoe mount for easy installation. However, the optional Sennheiser CL 35 USB-C cable also allows you to connect it with select mobile devices.

The MKE 400 is a professional microphone with great audio quality and comes at an affordable price.

Pros:

• High-quality mic at an affordable price
• Auto power on/off with LED indicator
• Gain control
• High-pass filter
• Battery powered

Cons:

• The high-pass/low-cut filter is at 200 Hz, high for bassy voices.
• No XLR cable included as standard
• No shockmount (though low handling noises still)

6. Shure VP83F LensHopper Camera-Mounted Condenser Microphone

Key specifications:

• Supercardioid polar pattern
• Can record directly to microSDHC card in the mic
• The backlit LCD screen lets you monitor everything the microphone does
• Joystick for easy menu control system
• Runs on 2 x AA batteries
• Auto-power on / off
• 50Hz – 20kHz frequency
• High-pass filter 170Hz, 12 dB/Octave
• Stepless gain control of up to +60 dB
• 3.5mm jack output
• Headphone connector 3.5mm with volume control
• Foam windshield

Shure is a well-known brand in the microphone world. I think it is impossible to find a singer in a band who hasn’t, at some point, used a Shure SM58.

The Shure VP 83F LensHopper is another great addition to your filmmaking arsenal, which lives up to the high standards and ruggedness we’ve come to expect from this company.

The Shure VP83F has a unique trick we haven’t seen before; it comes with integrated flash (Micro SDHC slot) recording/playback capabilities. This enables the microphone to capture your audio onto the flashcard!

The VP83F can capture audio at a sample rate of 24-bit/48kHz.

This is a neat trick, especially if your camera has no microphone input. And even if it does, being able to capture a backup recording of your sound on an extra flash card is just awesome. Then you never have to worry about, e.g., a bad connection in the cable running from the microphone to the camera.

The VP83F has a super-cardioid pattern that eliminates side noise to ensure crisp audio from any audio source.

Depending on your preferences, you can even switch to increase or decrease the dB gain.

Lastly, the frequency response is from 50 Hz to 20 kHz, which is standard for most shotgun microphones.

You’ll also love the Rycote Lyre shock mounting system, which efficiently eliminates rumbling noises, vibrations, and shocks.

2 x AA batteries provide the power.

Pros:

• Innovative design with lots of features
• High-quality microphone
• Records to integrated micro SDHC card and camera simultaneously for extra backup security
• LED display for easy monitoring
• Separate headphone output
• Stepless gain control
• High-pass filter
• Battery powered

Cons:

• The high-pass/low-cut filter is at 170Hz, which is high.
• No XLR cable is included as standard.

7. TAKSTAR SGC-598 Interview Microphone

Key specifications:

• Cardioid polar pattern
• + 10 dB gain adjustment
• Low power indicator
• Auto power mode (automatically turns on/off with camera)
• Powered by two AA batteries
• 40Hz – 20kHz frequency
• Low-cut filter (high-pass filter) at 200Hz
• Integrated shock mount
• 3.5mm TRS output
• Foam windshield included.

Look no further if you’re looking for a super-affordable shotgun microphone suitable for DSLR and mirrorless cameras.

The Takstar SGC-598 has a cardioid polar pattern, meaning it will record most of the sound from the front and some from the side.

It is ideal for interviews and vlogging.

The mic can also be used for other videos, with a +10dB gain switch mounted on the side.

You can connect it to your camera using a 3.5mm jack, which uses one AA alkaline battery. This battery can offer you up to 100 hours of continuous sound recording.

The frequency response is 50 Hz to 16 kHz, slightly narrower than some of the other microphones on this, but as we wrote in the guide above, this frequency range is still very good for interviews.

The Takstar SGC-598 has more self-noise than some of the other microphones on this list, so you might want to use the +10dB gain switch to eliminate some of this.

However, the sound quality is still absolutely usable, even if this is your only external microphone. And it is so cheap that you can easily buy one as a backup for your other microphones.

Pros:

• Very cheap
• Good sound quality
• Decent shockmount
• Battery powered

Cons:

• Bad shielding from RF noise
• High self-noise
• No XLR cable is included as standard.
• No DeadCat included.

8. Deity V-Mic D3 Pro Super-Cardioid Directional Shotgun Microphone

Key specifications:

• Super-cardioid polar pattern
• Stepless gain adjustments up to +20 dB
• Auto power mode (automatically turns on/off with camera)
• Powered by a rechargeable lithium battery
• 50Hz – 20kHz frequency
• Low-cut filter (high-pass filter) at 75 Hz and 150 Hz
• Integrated shock mount
• 3.5mm smart TRRS output
• Foam windshield included.

The last one on our list comes from Deity, another popular manufacturer of DSLR microphones.

The Deity V-Mic D3 Pro shotgun mic is made from aluminum and is lightweight at around 143 grams (5 ounces).

The microphone features a super-cardioid polar pattern and has a frequency range from 50 Hz to 20 kHz.

The Deity V-Mic D3 Pro has a unique step-less analog gain adjustment dial where you can increase the volume to 20 dB. It also comes with a two-step low-cut filter at 75Hz and 150Hz.

The internal lithium-ion rechargeable battery gives you around 50 hours of runtime. It’s not the best on this list, but it’s still very usable. It takes about two hours to recharge the battery in full.

Like the Rode Videomic Pro+, the Deity V-Mic D3 Pro has an auto switch on/off feature, automatically turning on the microphone when you switch on your camera and shut it down when not in use. This also helps preserve battery life.

It would have been nice if you could swap the battery for a standard double AA if you ran out of power during a shoot.

You’ll also get a shock mount with a camera shoe mount, which lets you slide the microphone back and forth along a rail, which is cool and makes it easier to fit your camera with your other accessories.

The package includes a foam windshield, but unfortunately, it doesn’t include a dead cat.

The Deity V-Mic D3 Pro has a smart connection 3.5mm TRRS mini-jack. A microprocessor detects which device you attach the microphone to in the microphone.  

This is handy since there isn’t an exact standard for TRRS cables and what the Tip-Ring-Ring-Sleeve connections are used for. For example, some devices might use the Tip and first Ring for headphones, while others might use them for dual-purpose headphones and microphone connections.

The Deity V-Mic D3 Pro microphone does this analysis for you, which makes it compatible with a broad range of devices such as DSLR cameras, mirrorless cameras, camcorders, smartphones, handheld recorders, laptops, bodypack transmitters, and tablets.

Some iOS devices require Apple’s Lightning to 3.5 mm Headphone Jack Adapter, which isn’t included in the package.

The downside is that some older devices might be incompatible with this microphone or still need an adapter. However, Deity has included a compatibility list on its website, which you should read before you purchase this microphone.

The Deity D3 Pro is an affordable microphone for run-and-gun video shooters.

Pros:

• Inexpensive, high-quality microphone
• Smart 3.5mm TRS/TRRS detection
• 75 Hz and 150 Hz high-pass filter
• Separate headphone output
• Stepless gain control
• Low self-noise
• Battery powered

Cons:

• No XLR cable is included as standard.
• No DeadCat included

Which One Is Your Favorite?

I know picking one from many excellent shotgun microphones can be difficult, but we hope this guide has made your buying decision easier.

I’ve done my best to describe what sets each microphone apart.

The on-camera shotgun mics mentioned in this guide are ideal for beginners and prosumer filmmakers, and they’ll help you start your filmmaking or vlogging career on the right foot.

If it helps, create a list of priorities, such as power options, polar pattern, and frequency range, and select your future microphone based on that.