Mini Zoom Microphone For Canon HFG10 HFS30 HFS200 HFS21 HFS100 HFS11 HFS10 NEW US $21.99

Vivitar MIC-403 Super Sound Mini Zoom Microphone For Digital Camcorders US $58.63

Sima Digital Mini Zoom Mic MZM-1 US $14.99

Mini Zoom Microphone For Sony CX560 CX700 CX360 HD1000 US $20.99

Mini Zoom Microphone for Canon Camcorders having 1/8" (3.5mm) Mic-In Jack US $39.95

Mini Zoom Microphone w/Bracket and 6ft Ext for Panasonic HDC-SD100 Camcorder US $39.95

Mini Zoom Microphone w/Bracket and 6ft Ext for Panasonic HDC-HS100 Camcorder US $39.95

New digital mini zoom microphone MZM-1 US $27.29

Mini Zoom Microphone For Canon HV30 HG10 HV20 HF10 GL2 US $18.99

Mini Zoom Microphone For Canon HFM30 HFM31 HFS20 HFS21 US $19.99

Sima MZM-1 Mini Zoom Camcorder Microphone Rubber Mount Uses AAA Battery New US $28.95

VIVITAR Mini Zoom Microphone for Camcorders includes Bracket and 6ft Ext Cord US $39.95

Sima Mini Zoom Microphone US $21.99

Polaroid PLMIC Mini Zoom Camcorder Microphone US $58.63

Vivitar Mini Zoom Video Camcorder/Camera Shotgun Microphone with Bracket US $27.95

Mini Zoom Microphone For Canon HFS30 HFS21 HFM40 HFM41 HFS10 HFS11 HG21 HG20 US $19.99

Mini Zoom Microphone for SONY Handycam having 1/8" Mic-In Jack US $39.95

Powered by phpBay Pro

I've been using a Sony HDR-HC1 for about 3 years.

The mic on it is just as good as any other camcorder's mic. When you use the "auto" setting for audio gain, when the surroundings are quiet, the auto mic gain will listen for audio and pick up all sorts of background. When the audio is REALLY loud, the recorded audio will clip and sound really muddy. This cannot be fixed in editing. Learn to use - and use - the manual audio control. I have recorded screamer bands with no distortion. I have recorded very quiet environments without picking up any tape transport motor noise.

Since most camcorders do not have manual audio control, this is a HUGE plus for the HC1. As for as I know, the least expensive camcorders with a Mic jack and manual audio control are the Canon HV0/30/40 and the Sony HDR-HC9.

Remember, the HDR-HC1 is a consumer-grade camcorder. Maybe on the higher end of the consumer camcorder scale, but still consumer grade. It does have a "pro" sibling in the Sony HVR-A1U that includes some additional functionality in the features embedded in the camcorder (plus the A1 has an XLR mic connection set-up, but I'll cover that later). With the medium sized lens and CMOS imaging chip, the HC1 does as well as can be expected from a consumer cam. In low light recording, the video will be grainy. This is expected. If you want better low light quality, you need bigger lenses and imaging chips like those found in the HDR FX1 (or its replacement, the HDR-FX1000).

The ONLY issue I have with the HC1 is that is it is a bottom loader - that is, the tapes load from the bottom. If you are using a tripod or tripo-quick-release, the tape door will be blocked. You have to dismount the camera to change tapes. There are a few work-arounds - and some folks have made a "spacer" to raise the camcorder above the mount so the bottom loading turns into a non-issue.

I use different external mics depending on the situation. They are pro-grade mics that use XLR connectors. Since the HC1 has only the 1/8" (3.5mm) stereo mic jack, that means using a BeachTek DXA-6 or juicedLink CX231 provides me with the XLR connectors I need. I also use an angled camera bracket so I can mount the mic to a standard accessory shoe (the HC1 has only the small Sony proprietary "Active Interface Shoe").

There are a few affordable, consumer grade, external mics that are pretty good - if you always have them camcorder mounted - that use the HC1's 1/8" (3.5mm) stereo mic jack... like the RODE video mic (stereo or mono versions), NRG Research's SA-568 dual mode shotgun (mono) mic or their SA-800 stereo mic and the Audio Technica ATR55 (mono) or ATR25 (stereo).

Items Recently Purchased From This Site: