What’s the Best Mic for Canon M50?

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If you don’t have time to read this article, then the best mic for Canon M50 is the Rode VideoMicro.

Vlogging has become one of the most popular forms of social media engagement in the past few years and, along with it, the Canon M50 Mark I and II.

The Canon M50 is a vlogger-friendly camera because not only can you shoot in 4K, it’s also lightweight and compact – making it easy to carry and user-friendly – and meaning that you don’t have to be a pro to work with this camera.

But having the perfect footage isn’t enough for quality vlogging – you also need a quality microphone, and in particular a quality shotgun mic.

While most cameras come with built-in microphones, these don’t fare well if you’re out in public surrounded by traffic noise, wind noise and the general hubbub of a crowd. 

But this won’t be an issue with a properly designed external mic, as these can handle pretty much any scenario that you throw at them, provided you choose the right one.

This article covers the top Canon M50 mics, and gets right to the heart of the pros and cons of each.



Reviews of the Best Microphones for Canon M50

Below you will find listed the best mics for every price range. You need a microphone with features such as portability, high audio quality, interoperability, and affordability. Ideally, your choice of mic should score highly on all these criteria, but there are of course always trade-offs between each. All of these microphones work well with the Canon M50 Mark I and Mark II.

You can make your decision based on your budget and requirements. Why settle for good when you can have the best?

1. Rode VideoMicro with Rycote Lyre Shock Mount

My Top Pick

Rode VideoMicro

Specifications:

  • Brand: RØDE
  • Model: VideoMicro
  • Connector: 3.5mm jack
  • Battery Required? No – powered by camera
  • Length: 3″ (80mm)
  • Weight: 1.5-oz (42g)
  • Accessories Included: Rycote lyre shock mount and furry windshield

The microphone that has fared the best over the years and is the most popular pairing with the Canon M50 is the Rode VideoMicro with Rycote Lyre Shock Mount.

This compact microphone is only 3 inches long and weighs 1.5 ounces making it easy to carry, lightweight and convenient for on-the-go vlogging. 

The body of this mic is built of aluminum and coated with RDE’s high-grade ceramic anti-glare black coating, providing it with a high level of RF rejection. 

The Rycote Lyre is virtually unbreakable and will never droop, snap, wear out, or require rethreading to be effective.

The TRRS cable means that this mic is easily adaptable with a wide range of devices, including your iPhone, so if you ever find yourself unable to reach for your Canon M50, you still have your microphone handy for quality audio.

Rode VideoMicro, the best mic for Canon M50

The Rode VideoMicro is powered by plugging-in to the camera, meaning there is no need to carry around extra batteries, which can be a real life-saver.

It comes with a Rycote Lyre Shock Mount, eliminating unwanted disruptions that vibrations, cables or handling could have otherwise caused.

Furthermore, the furry windshield rids you of environmental noises such as (unsurprisingly) the wind, cars driving by, the hum of your AC, etc. and lets the mic hone into your voice while canceling out all unwanted elements. 

While complete noise cancellation may make your audio sound robotic, the Rode VideoMicro focuses on the sounds closest to the camera allowing only the faintest of sounds from beyond your immediate location in, to keep your audio from sounding unnatural. 

Although some of the other Rode mics might offer slightly better features more suited to those using their microphone for professional purposes, the balance of ability against cost for the Video Micro menas that you can experience premium audio recording anywhere, making the Rode VideoMicro with Rycote Shock Mount my pick for the best mic for Canon M50. 

  • Pros:
  • Excellent value for money designed to pick up more natural sound than other Rode mics – less directional
  • Includes shock absorber to reduce vibrations impinging on the audio
  • No batteries required
  • All metal build with very good build quality in the body and cable
  • Cons:
  • There are cheaper models available – although with slightly worse recording quality
  • Not as fully featured as the Rode VideoMic Pro+ (but much cheaper)
Rode VideoMicro

2. Rode VideoMic Pro+

Rode VideoMic Pro+

Specifications:

  • Brand: RØDE
  • Model: VideoMic Pro+
  • Connector: 3.5mm jack
  • Battery Required? Can be powered by microUSB or battery
  • Length: 6.7″ (170mm)
  • Weight: 4.3-oz (122g)
  • Accessories Included: Rycote lyre shock mount and rechargeable battery

This sibling product to the VideoMic has now been updated from the Pro to the Rode VideoMic Pro+. It comes with more features, more functions and more even better build quality.

Although this mic has the option of using regular AA batteries, it comes with its own rechargeable battery installed, or can run off microUSB, giving it versatility in use, although for the Canon M50 you will be reliant on the battery, rather than the full powered-by-camera VideoMicro.

The shape of the microphone has been optimized to pickup clear sound ahead of you, although it does result in some unwanted audio pickup from directly behind the camera which is much more manageable on the VideoMicro, which can be seen by looking up their various polar patterns.

Mic for Canon M50

With its digital switching, this mic will make vlogging feel like a breeze, which ensures environmental elements and disturbances will not be picked up, canceling out the time and effort you would otherwise have to put into editing. 

This is further aided by the windscreen, which will guarantee audio that is crisp, clear and free of most extraneous noise. 

Although pretty big and bulky, and suffering from some unwanted rear pickup, in the right situation the VideoMic Pro+ will let you enjoy premium-grade audio qualities in your vlogs that will help you up to your vlogging game, without putting in the extra effort. 

  • Pros:
  • Best-in-class audio quality
  • Optimized windshield design
  • Rycote suspension system is excellent
  • Solidly built to last for years
  • Cons:
  • Potential for unwanted sound pickup from the rear
  • Fairly large and heavy
  • Expensive
Rode VideoMic Pro+

3. Movo VXR10 – Best Affordable Mic for Canon M50

Movo VXR10

Specifications:

  • Brand: Movo
  • Model: VXR10
  • Connector: 3.5mm jack
  • Battery Required? No – powered by camera
  • Length: 3.2″ (81mm)
  • Weight: 1.8-oz (51g)
  • Accessories Included: Rycote lyre shock mount and rechargeable battery

Into vlogging, but on a budget? You don’t need to go bankrupt for quality audio. The Movo VXR10 is a budget-friendly option that doesn’t compromise affordability to provide quality.

This design is battery-free, meaning it comes with a TRS Output Cable that you plug into your camera to power the mic. 

It comes with a sturdy shock mount that will help minimize any noises that may arise from handling, along with a furry windscreen to block out all unwanted sounds.

While noise cancellation is not a total guarantee, this mic does a pretty good job tuning out external sounds, amplifying those you care about and making them the main focus. 

It even comes with a travel pouch making it easier to carry around with your camera and easy to pack on the go, with the Movo VXR10 being my pick for the best affordable mic for Canon M50.

Build quality isn’t as high as the VideoMicro, with some reviewers noting issues with their devices including internal rattles, but it is available for a lower price than the comparable Rode device.

  • Pros:
  • Very fairly priced
  • Similar design to the Rode VideMicro, with similar performance, only lower priced
  • Includes TRRS cable for connection to smartphones
  • Pocket-sized
  • Cons:
  • Build quality is lower than Rode
  • Not cheap enough to justify this over the VideoMicro, overall
Movo VXR10

4. Rode VideoMic GO

RØDE Auxiliary VideoMic GO

Specifications:

  • Brand: RØDE
  • Model: VideoMic GO
  • Connector: 3.5mm jack
  • Battery Required? No – powered by camera
  • Length: 6.5″ (167mm)
  • Weight: 2.6-oz (73g)
  • Accessories Included: Rycote lyre shock mount

For true adventurers comes the Rode VideoMic GO. As the name suggests, this mic is for vloggers who are always on the go!

You don’t have to worry about muffles and noises ruining your perfectly aesthetic shots because this mic, built from a single piece of plastic, will pick up only the sounds you intend it to. 

Just plug this mic in, and you’re good to go. The built-in Rycote lyre shock mount rids your output of any handling noises and vibrations.

Rode VideoMic GO for Canon M50

It is pretty lightweight and easy to carry, making it the ideal vlog partner, although still falls behind the VideoMicro. Although the audio quality doesn’t match up to its sister products, this is an option to consider if you’re looking to step up your vlogging audios from the camera’s audio. 

One potential issue with the VideoMic GO is the regularity with which it can pick up electronic interference, which manifests as a hissing sound in your recording, which pushes this down my list of Canon M50 mics.

Although it is relatively long, it’s still one of the smallest microphones here thanks to the minimal heigh and width, so if the compact is what you’re looking for, look no further.

  • Pros:
  • Decent mic in a small package
  • Aimed at providing clear, crisp directional audio
  • No batteries needed – powered by your camera
  • Includes excellent Rycote Lyre shock absorber
  • Cons:
  • Largely superseded by the VideoMicro
  • Picks up interference from other electronic devices
Rode VideoMic GO

Conclusion: The Best Mic for Canon M50

What's the best mic for Canon M50

Now that you know about the top 4 microphones compatible with the Canon M50, which one will you choose to up your vlogging game? 

When purchasing a mic, there are certain elements to keep an eye for, such as its size, what audio quality you are expecting, would you rather plug it in or have it be battery-powered, how much noise cancellation do you need, what is your budget and what style of vlogging will you be doing.

Each mic is unique in its features and uses, but all of these share one thing in common, their compatibility with the Canon M50 and their popularity in the vlogging community.

For my money, the Rode VideoMicro is the top choice, but all have their uses.

My Top Pick

The Best Microphone for the Canon M50

RODE Videomicro
  • Excellent value for money designed to pick up more natural sound than other Rode mics – less directional
  • Includes shock absorber to reduce vibrations impinging on the audio
  • No batteries required – powered by your camera
  • All metal build with very good build quality in the body and cable

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