Having started shooting video on Canon’s EOS 5D Mk II two years ago, I concluded that the easiest way to get good audio on the camera was to use Rode’s Video Mic. I’ve been using this microphone ever since, getting pretty good results. However, in situations where I need to travel light, or when shooting in news-type situations, I did wish the Video Mic was smaller.

Rode seems to have been listening, recently launching the much smaller Video Mic Pro. It’s 10cm shorter in length than the original, as well as 2.2cm lower in height, but 0.7cm wider. It’s also much lighter, with the new model weighing 85g compared to the Video Mic’s 176g. It is just the right size now and, when mounted, it doesn’t stick out the back. The price difference is, however, nearly double, wih Studiospares charging £124.17 + VAT compared to the older Video Mic at £65.83 + VAT.

I did a set of extensive listening tests comparing the original with the new model, using a 5D MkII with its audio gain set on automatic. The subject was in an enclosed area and recorded from distances of 1m and 2m. I listened to the results playing back the video on a Mac Pro using Aperture 3. Initially I used a pair of speakers and then headphones.

No matter how hard I tried to find differences between the two, I couldn’t. The larger Video Mic was already a superb microphone, and the Pro version, despite being much smaller, was as directional in its sound gathering, and just as clear in picking up all the detail in the voice. If anything, the Pro seemed to make a little less background hiss in the quiet times, as the camera turned up the gain automatically.

The Pro is a completely different design, with a new suspension rig, which ensures camera noise doesn’t vibrate up to and get recoded by the microphone. I’m extremely glad to see that the on switch and all the filter controls are still at the back of the camera, where they are easily seen. There’s nothing worse that making a video recording and not switching on the microphone; with the Rode, an LED clearly shows when it’s on. (The Sennheiser equivalent has these controls on its side where they are easily missed.)

If absolute quality is needed in audio, then currently with the video DSLRs on offer, the only answer is to record the audio separately and then sync it up afterwards when editing. I personally use a Zoom H4n audio recorder and Rode’s excellent NTG-3 microphone. However, this is extra equipment and expense, and demands a lot of extra time and expertise when editing. For simpler straight-to-camera recording, Rode’s Video Mic Pro has kept the superb sound of its older brother and packed it into a much smaller package.

The smaller size naturally has its conveniences; it’s much harder to snag the microphone and takes up less room when packed. The shorter size also means that it’s now much easier to use ultra-wide-angle lenses.