NEX-5R versus 6 ability to use external mic

I'd like to be able to use a high quality microphone with the 5R when I get it but can't figure out how it would be attached mechanically and connected. I have a Rode Videomic Pro. If not the 5R, will the 6 allow me to attach it? I'm all but sold on the 5R as I prefer having a touch screen and plan to get the EVF.

The 5R will only accept the microphones designed for the smart accessory terminal on the top of the camera... which consequently would also be where you would want to attach your EVF. It is an either or scenario. You could simply mount a seperate recorder on a bracket with the 5R but would have to combine the audio & video in post.

The 6R also has no mic input on the body, but with the new hotshoe will accept the sony XLR breakout box with monitoring facilities and powered XLR inputs. Right now it is the only option for audio recorded directly with video, but there may be other options if the new connection terminal that fits the new hot shoe is licensed to 3rd parties.

Sorry I don't have better news for your situation :/

Thanks for the response! I would have been surprised if the camera would have been perfect. In every other category that I care about it beats the competition hands down.

What options are there for microphones that can be connected to the accessory terminal, assuming I can live with not having the EVF during times I'd like to shoot video? Only the Sony microphone? Is that any good? It would be surprising if there was no way to record decent quality audio with a camera with 1080p60 capability...

ECM-SST1 Stereo mic

Your rode would be preferrable in most cases, but the sony mic is pretty decent and more compact. The issue is the small size of the camera so Sony used a new connection in the 'smart accessory terminal' connector. Currently I don't know of any thrid party options for that connection.

Thanks! The Rode is pretty light so it would be conceivable to have a hotshoe contraption attached to the accessory terminal and use the data connection with a converter for the 3.5 mm plug of the Videomic. Wonder if this is actually possible.

if you want to use a professional external mic for video you need the NEX-7

as the flagship of the NEX line it is the only one that has this option

--
NEX-7 & Sigma 30mm f/2.8
NEX-5 & 18-55 OSS
And a spare black 18-55

losangeles said:

Thanks! The Rode is pretty light so it would be conceivable to have a hotshoe contraption attached to the accessory terminal and use the data connection with a converter for the 3.5 mm plug of the Videomic. Wonder if this is actually possible.

Click to expand...

if not using the ECM-SST1 Stereo mic imo a separate audio recorder would be much more practical and the way to go in case of 5R and 6

synchronizing sounds in PP, using the sound recorded by the internal mic, will be straight forward.

Zoom H1 being a cheap solution costing below 100 usd with built in X/Y mics but also would allow plug in of your Rode Stereo Mic, of course there are many better but also more expensive recorders
--

photos mostly taken with manual lenses on Sony NEX5N, Pentax K-x and *istDs: http://flickr.com/photos/kuuan/

People will find it difficult to view the NEX-7 as flagship once the 5R and 6 are out...

edwardaneal said:

if you want to use a professional external mic for video you need the NEX-7

as the flagship of the NEX line it is the only one that has this option

--
NEX-7 & Sigma 30mm f/2.8
NEX-5 & 18-55 OSS
And a spare black 18-55

Click to expand...

alpha604 said:

The 6R also has no mic input on the body, but with the new hotshoe will accept
the sony XLR breakout box with monitoring facilities and powered XLR inputs.

Click to expand...

This break-out box (smart shoe) costs $850 USD just to get you XLR inputs.

Not worth it, unless you do pro video and I can't understand who would shoot pro video with a Nex, but hey, that's just me.

The only reasonable option is the Sony externa hot-shoe mic (Sony ECMSST1, which I have) and although it is better than the built-in mic, it is a far cry from a Rode.

I don't think there are any reasonable consumer price external mic options for Nex-6.

To me this is the biggest let-down with Nex-6 for video.

My solution will be to buy this:

http://www.zoom.co.jp/english/products/h1/

And sync the audio afterwards.

Everyone keeps saying that except 99% of those that have the camera, there is no real use reviews as of yet for the 6, so to say what you said is difficult for my purpose I need an external mic, plus the EVF and the extra pixels, They are different cameras,

What about the VG30? Its designed for video. Arent you concerned about the wonky form factor and overheating of the sensor? Im not even sure the 6 has level controls.

losangeles said:

I'd like to be able to use a high quality microphone with the 5R when I get it but can't figure out how it would be attached mechanically and connected. I have a Rode Videomic Pro. If not the 5R, will the 6 allow me to attach it? I'm all but sold on the 5R as I prefer having a touch screen and plan to get the EVF.

Click to expand...