New Sennheiser MKE 200 delivers simple, spectacular sound for cameras + phones

New Sennheiser MKE 200 delivers simple, spectacular sound for cameras + phones
(Image credit: Sennheiser)

Sennheiser has announced a new external microphone, the Sennheiser MKE 200, that's tailor made for the content creation generation. 

The Sennheiser MKE 200 sits next to its larger shotgun mic brother, the MKE 400 – itself one of the best microphones for vlogging – and offers creators a small, straightforward microphone that delivers significantly improved sound. 

As with all external mics, there's simply no comparison when it comes to recording video – a camera's in-built microphones just can't offer the same audio quality. However, with plenty of similar mics on the market, the Sennheiser has its work cut out to stand out from the crowd.

The manufacturer has come through, though, using its 75 years of audio expertise to natively improve handling and wind noise for this super-cardioid capsule mic. 

The Sennheiser MKE 200 is optimized to reduce wind noise, but also comes with a furry windshield (Image credit: Sennheiser)

Where other mics in this category typically feature a shock mount on the external chassis (if, indeed, they feature it at all), the MKE 200 features integrated, internal shock-mounting to minimize noise when handling and jostling the camera and mic.

It also incorporates a built-in wind screen, for cleaner sound and wind protection, but also includes a dead cat (or 'furry windshield', to give its proper name!) for more severe conditions. 

The result is a compact, stylish, sleek design that sits neatly atop any camera or smartphone setup – and, between its battery-free operation and small footprint, it's ideal for use in gimbal setups. 

The cold shoe mount fits any camera or gimbal, and the MKE 200 comes with both a 3.5 mm TRS cable (for cameras) and a 3.5 mm TRRS cable (for mobile devices), enabling it to seamlessly plug into any mobile recording rig.

The Sennheiser MKE 200 is available now for $99.95 / £87.00. 

Read more: 

The best microphone for vlogging and filmmaking
The best cameras for vlogging: for videography, vloggers & content creators
Video jargon explained: what the specs mean and what to look for

James Artaius
Editor

James has 22 years experience as a journalist, serving as editor of Digital Camera World for 6 of them. He started working in the photography industry in 2014, product testing and shooting ad campaigns for Olympus, as well as clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal. An Olympus / OM System, Canon and Hasselblad shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and he loves instant cameras, too.