Canon Directional Stereo Mic (DM 50) for Camcorders with the Advanced Access Shoe by Canon USA
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Digital camera reviews of Canon Directional Stereo Mic (DM 50) for Camcorders with the Advanced Access Shoe
Digital camera Review: Canon cam mike
Summary: 4 Stars
only used it once so far for a live music event at a bar and it seems to have worked just fine so far as I can tell.Digital camera Review: Canon directional stereo mic for GL2 camcorder
Summary: 5 Stars
very pleased with the quality of audio and ease of use. highly recommend this product. I use it with the GL2 camcorder and have had great results.Digital camera Review: DM50 review
Summary: 4 Stars
DM50 works as advertised. Voice clarity is very clear and the windscreen makes a dramatic improvement over the internal microphone on the Canon HV20. This unit does add some weight to the camera but the improved sound quality justifies the additional arm load.
Some other microphones may work better and less expensive. Operating off the accessory shoe with no extra cables makes this unit worth the price.
Digital camera Review: Decent and flexible. Not great.
Summary: 3 Stars
The build quality is better than expected. It feels solid in your hand and well put together. The DM-50 fits well onto the camera and is nicely balanced. It runs a little less than the length of the camera, so it does not overwhelm the camera's profile. This is not a big issue, but it does mean the microphone should not get in your way under normal shooting conditions.
The microphone itself has some play, presumably to cushion it from camera noise. If so, it does not do a perfect job - more on this below.
To discuss the audio quality, I have to discuss the three modes, "Shotgun", "Stereo 1" and "Stereo 2".
"Shotgun" mode captures audio primarily from directly in front of the camera. While I have done no scientific tests I would guess it's main balance is at about 35 or so degrees. This mode captures sound in mono from a single element at the front of the unit. In this mode the audio quality is not great. There is little low-end response and the quality and the sound has, for lack of a better term, a slightly plastic quality to it. It is surprising when compared to the sound recorded from the side elements, which seem warmer and more dynamic.
"Stereo 1" mode seems to capture sound at about 90 degrees, combining both the front element and two separate elements along the side. The overall perceived quality of the sound is much better than using the shotgun alone. There is more warmth and richness in this mode, and it provides a nice balance of front centered sound, with some ambience from the sides.
"Stereo 2" mode captures sound at more than 180 degrees. The rear facing element seems to be designed to capture nearby sounds, but not more distant sounds. This could only be my perception, but if not, it seems like a nice way to allow commentary from the camera operator. However, the "Stereo 2" seems to be a little too weighted towards capturing sound from the sides at some expense to the front element. As a result, the sound quality itself is a little better, but the mix appears slightly off.
In all three modes, the isolation of sound it not perfect. Because the provided documentation says almost nothing about how the DM50 is designed, it is difficult to know how many elements are present and in what combination they are recording sound in each mode. It seems that even in "Shotgun Mode" the left and right front elements are still slightly present, but mixed in mono with the front facing mic.
In terms of eliminating motor noise, the DM50 does a better job than the on-board microphone, but the sounds of the motor and any manipulation of the controls are still present. In "Stereo 2" mode, the motor noise is cut in half from what you hear from the on-board microphones. In "Stereo 1" mode the noise is down to about a quarter and in "Shotgun" I would estimate it is about an eighth.
With the Canon HV20, the most common sound issue I find is with clicking the function button while shooting to gain control over exposure (usually a three click process). The DM50 does not eliminate this sound. In "Shotgun" mode the DM50 does the best job of reducing the problem, but even with the rubber rings in which the microphone rests, some of that sound it transfered up the camera.
The DM-50 promises "near professional" quality sound and that is what it provides. For professional sound you will need to find a more dedicated microphone, such as the VideoMic or Stereo VideoMic, or perhaps both if you wish to have coverage for the same theoretical range as the DM-50. However, the DM-50 provides excellent flexibility that it's competitors do not, so you should consider what your shooting needs are. The DM-50 also does not use batteries, but draws power from the Camera's battery. This can be either an advantage or a disadvantage depending your preference, but it is something to keep in mind when purchasing.
The DM-50 is best suited to users who want a single, trouble free microphone that can carry them through a variety of situations. In "Stereo 1" mode, the microphone is at it's best, providing a good balanced sound, though I wish sound from all around the microphone were captured in even quality. This disparity is perhaps the biggest problem with the microphone.
Digital camera Review: Directional Mic- not bad, convenient
Summary: 3 Stars
I bought this mic a year ago for an older Canon camcorder (which has since failed.) When I replaced my camcorder, I bought the Canon HV20 because it has a hotshoe. The sound difference when recording with the mic (I'm generally recording classical music during concerts from the audience) is noticeable. The mic is small and light, easy to install. When I researched camcorders to buy a new one, I discovered that there are better directional mics on the market, but they are more expensive. I may eventually upgrade, but for now this will do.