The new Sennheiser MKE 200 external microphone produces easy and excellent audio performance to improve your video
(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.
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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.
The editor of Digital Camera World, James has 21 years experience as a journalist and started working in the photographic industry in 2014 (as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy, who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert for camera and lens reviews, photo and lighting tutorials, as well as industry news, rumors and analysis for publications like Digital Camera Magazine, PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine, N-Photo: The Nikon Magazine, Digital Photographer and Professional Imagemaker, as well as hosting workshops and talks at The Photography Show. He also serves as a judge for the Red Bull Illume Photo Contest. An Olympus and Canon shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a fondness for vintage lenses and instant cameras.
