VideoMic NTG

Going to be hard to beat the rode video mic ntg. And it's $240. I have one. It sounds terrific. Feature packed. Light as a feather. Self powered. USB interface built in. A little eq in post, and it's as good as any on cam mic you're going to get. It's no slouch in a sit down interview or any over the top boom scenario either. I have no complaints.

The rode is self powered and has an 1/8" jack, so goes right into my Sony a7c. I would not recommend another mic for this purpose. It's perfectly designed for this.

The video mic ntg is solid and fits your reqs well. Small, easy, decent quality, worth the price.

Depends on the situation and the bodies I’m using. If I’m doing run & gun with my A7SIII (+half cage), I’ll use a Rode VideoMic NTG & Rode Pro split channel into the camera but also recording 32bit float on the transmitter. That way I have multiple sources and options for audio in post. I have a pair of ear buds running from camera to at least know what I’m getting. If I’m static (FX3, C80, R5c, etc), I like to run the Rode Pro receiver direct to camera while again always recording 32bit float on the transmitter. If I have the luxury, I’ll set up a proper boom running to a Zoom F6, also recording 32bit float. Those are the usual scenarios I’m in.

Something like the Rode VideoMic NTG or the VideoMic Go 2 are perfectly aimed at someone with your needs and “equipment level”.

I know I'm late but I really like the Videomic NTG. Internal battery, works perfectly together with the Wireless Pro transmitter. But on a side note be wary about the Wireless Pro. Mine just messed up a client shoot. The receiver went from 100% battery to empty and shut down in about 4 minutes even though both the receiver and the case was fully charged overnight before the shoot. Also the internal recording didn't work on either of the transmitters even though they were set to always record internally. Looking to switch brands because of this. Always carry a backup!

This 100% I actually game on my AirPods Max after my SteelSeries bit the dust. I use a Rode VideoMic NTG on an arm for my Discord and in-game mic.

Agree I never liked the Rode mics. I have the VideoMic shotgun and I find it not only too bright but, captures bass very poorly, also rather noisy.

I use a second hand Rode shotgun mic, homemade pop filter, homemade mic stand, positioned about 2" from my mouth when I'm recording voiceover. My voice comes out clear, no background noise despite not sanitizing my environment at all. Moving closer to the mic is my recommendation, if you haven't already, it does wonders.

Did pretty much my whole feature doc I used neewer cm28 and a rode shotgun.

There aren’t many amazing TRS mics I’m afraid. Rode makes the NTG which might be worth a look. Or get a preamp for the camera that supplies phantom. If you could find a secondhand me64 or me66 with a K6 module - those are Sennheiser shotguns that you can use a battery instead of phantom & adapt to TRS