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Nov 06, 2023

Sony ECM

August 10, 2023 : out of 5 : 4 out of 5 Pros: + Tiny size+ Convenient wireless connection on Sony cameras+ Good sound quality, especially with vocals Cons: - Pricey for an analogue microphone- Fixed

August 10, 2023

: out of 5

: 4 out of 5

Pros: + Tiny size+ Convenient wireless connection on Sony cameras+ Good sound quality, especially with vocals

Cons: - Pricey for an analogue microphone- Fixed audio level via MI shoe- Shock mount is relatively ineffective

Sony

£145

The Sony ECM-G1 is a compact, directional on-camera video microphone which can be used with most cameras and smartphones. With a super-cardioid pickup pattern, it predominantly registers sounds from in front of the camera, while feeding the same signal to the camera’s left and right audio channels. Its main attraction lies in its tiny size; at 50.8mm tall, 48.5mm long, and just 34g, it’s surely the smallest on-camera mic you can buy. But is this enough to make it one of the best video accessories available?

The kit includes the microphone, shoe cover, a short audio cable and a fluffy windshield. Credit: Andy Westlake

Sony also makes several other on-camera video mics, which exploit multiple capsules and beam-forming technology to provide multiple pickup patterns. The latest ECM-M1, for example, offers 8 modes, both mono and stereo, selected via a rear dial. The catch is that, unlike the ECM-G1, these mics can only be used on Sony cameras with multi-interface (MI) shoes.

As usual, the unit fits onto your camera’s hot shoe, with a short twist of a ridged collar locking it into place. On most Sony cameras made since 2012, that’s all you need to do. The audio signal is transmitted through contacts on the multi-interface shoe, which also provides power. One catch, though, is that this results in a fixed audio output volume.

The ECM-G1 can be used wirelessly on Sony cameras via its multi-interface shoe, or with other devices though its Mic Out socket. Credit: Andy Westlake

The solution to this is to use the wired connection, which allows the input level to be adjusted normally. The same 3.5mm audio output also allows you to use the mic on cameras from other brands, although with some, it can be a tight fit onto the hot shoe.

On most Sony cameras, the mic uses a convenient wireless connection. Credit: Andy Westlake

I tested the microphone using cameras both from Sony and various other brands, including the Sony Alpha A6700, Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III and Fujifilm X-T5. As promised, it’s clearly much more directional than the microphones that are usually built into cameras and smartphones, with a frequency response that’s well-tuned to the human voice. This makes it a particularly good choice for vloggers talking to camera.

The main practical drawback lies with the anti-shock mount, which aims to minimise the transmission of camera operational noises to the microphone capsule. To achieve the mic’s striking miniaturisation, Sony has placed this in a joint just above the camera mount. While this allows a reasonable range of movement, it’s not very strongly damped, and unusually has hard stops at the end of its travel.

Sony ECM-G1, with windshield fitted, on Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III using the 3.5mm stereo audio cable. Credit: Andy Westlake

This design works fine when you’re standing still holding the camera, but if you start walking while recording, it can result in audible clunking on your soundtrack. You also have to be careful with how you arrange the audio cable, as it has a tendency to push the mic off-centre on the mount.

The Sony ECM-G1 is a neat little on-camera microphone that’s well-suited to vloggers, and especially those with Sony cameras that can make use of the convenient wireless connection. However, it’s very pricey for a mono analogue unit, and that temptingly small package does bring a few compromises.

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Andy has been Amateur Photographer's Technical Editor since 2014, responsible for reviewing everything from cameras and lenses to accessories and software. Prior to that, he was DPReview's Technical Editor, and introduced lens reviews to that website in 2008. Along the way, he's shot extensively with cameras and lenses of almost every imaginable type, brand and format.