Review and comparison of 12 shotgun microphones where I buy the winner! See which of these XLR microphones is the best for video and which you should avoid. Want to support the channel? Check out my video guides here: https://academy.dslrvideoshooter.com

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THE MICROPHONES
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As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Links marked as “PAID LINK” are affiliated.

🛒 Sennheiser 416 (Winner) on B&H (PAID LINK): https://bhpho.to/361D8cH

🛒 Sennheiser MKE 600 on B&H (PAID LINK): https://bhpho.to/3fxcL1s

🛒 Azden SGM 3500 on B&H (PAID LINK): https://bhpho.to/33f5I8H

🛒 Azden SGM 3500L on B&H (PAID LINK): https://bhpho.to/2JcQJor

🛒 Rode NT5 on B&H (PAID LINK): https://bhpho.to/3m4zkwL

🛒 Oktava MK-012 on Amazon (PAID LINK): https://geni.us/r1MCHzs

🛒 Rode NTG3 on B&H (PAID LINK): https://bhpho.to/2V0zpWq

🛒 Rode NTG5 on B&H (PAID LINK): https://bhpho.to/39dNQyY

🛒 Rode NTG4+
Amazon (PAID LINK): https://geni.us/IM34y
B&H (PAID LINK): https://bhpho.to/3nULnNW

🛒 Deity S-Mic 2
Amazon (PAID LINK): https://geni.us/P0W2
B&H (PAID LINK): https://bhpho.to/3fCkJq3

🛒 Deity S-Mic 2S
Amazon (PAID LINK): https://geni.us/bpgj1N
B&H (PAID LINK): https://bhpho.to/3fHBY9H

🛒 Rode NTG8 on B&H (PAID LINK): https://bhpho.to/33e1E8M

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VIDEO CHAPTERS
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0:00 Introduction
0:31 Test Qualifications
1:58 The Microphones
5:06 Sensitivity Test
6:52 Rejection Test
8:03 Sound Quality Test
12:29 All Scores Tallied
13:48 Buying Recommendations

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FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS
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Sennheiser 416 is the best overall.

Sennheiser MKE 600 is the best overall budget option if you don't need a super sensitive microphone.

Azden SGM microphones are my favorite $500 options.

The Rode NTG5 is great if you need a very sensitive microphone

Rode NT and Oktava microphones are amazing and affordable if you don't care as much about sensitivity.

Deity microphones offer build quality as good as a $1000 microphone with a price tag of under $400 and are very sensitive with decent rejection.

The Rode NTG3 is great if you have some cash and want nice low frequency (bass) warmth.

The Rode NTG4+ and NTG8 are a hard pass for me.

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DISCLAIMERS
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We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

This video was not paid for by outside persons or manufacturers.
B&H let us barrow a few microphones but they were returned after the production of this video.

The content of this video and my opinions were not reviewed or paid for by any outside persons.