{"id":2984,"date":"2026-08-17T02:14:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T02:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cameraegg.org\/camerareview\/?p=2984"},"modified":"2026-08-17T02:19:42","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T02:19:42","slug":"best-microphones-for-nikon-z50-ii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cameraegg.org\/camerareview\/best-microphones-for-nikon-z50-ii\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Microphones for Nikon Z50 II"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"gagen-article gagen-v2\"><div class=\"article-intro\">\n  <p>The original Z50 had a mic jack and no headphones. The Z50 II adds a 3.5 mm headphone jack \u2014 the same jack is the MC\u2011DC3 remote \u2014 plus a video-menu switch for mic-jack plug-in power. There is still no digital hot shoe, and video is MOV or MP4 only: 24-bit PCM lives in MOV, not MP4. R\u00d8DE\u2019s VideoMic GO II Helix is the shotgun that matches this small DX body: 33 g, no battery, powered from the jack Nikon documents. If you walk away from the camera, skip the shotgun.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"quick-picks-box\">\n  <div class=\"qp-header\">\n    <h2>Our Top Picks at a Glance<\/h2>\n    <p class=\"qp-sub\">Reviewed August 2026 \u00b7 Z50 II = analog 3.5 mm mic (plug-in power) + headphone\/MC\u2011DC3 \u00b7 MOV 24-bit PCM \u00b7 no NEV<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"qp-cards\">\n    <div class=\"qp-card qp-card--gold\">\n      <span class=\"qp-num\">01<\/span>\n      <span class=\"qp-badge\">\ud83c\udfc6 Best Overall<\/span>\n      <strong class=\"qp-name\">R\u00d8DE VideoMic GO II Helix<\/strong>\n      <div class=\"qp-rating\">\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605 <span class=\"qp-score\">4.7 \/ 5.0<\/span> <span class=\"qp-reviews\">\u00b7 2026 pick<\/span><\/div>\n      <p class=\"qp-why\">33 g annular-line-tube shotgun, HELIX mount, plug-in power from the Z50 II. Leave [Mic jack plug-in power] ON. No on-mic gain dial \u2014 set sensitivity on the camera. USB-C is for a computer, not the camera.<\/p>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B0D6X93C58?tag=e6890-20\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"qp-btn\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Check Price at Amazon<\/a>\n      <a href=\"#best-overall\" class=\"qp-jump\">Read full review \u2193<\/a>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"qp-card qp-card--green\">\n      <span class=\"qp-num\">02<\/span>\n      <span class=\"qp-badge\">\ud83d\udc8e Best Value<\/span>\n      <strong class=\"qp-name\">DJI Mic Mini 2 (2 TX + 1 RX)<\/strong>\n      <div class=\"qp-rating\">\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2606 <span class=\"qp-score\">4.5 \/ 5.0<\/span> <span class=\"qp-reviews\">\u00b7 2026 pick<\/span><\/div>\n      <p class=\"qp-why\">Two-person wireless for about $99. Receiver analog 3.5 mm TRS into the Z50 II. Buy the camera RX kit, not Mobile RX-only. Sony digital-shoe adapters do nothing here.<\/p>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s?k=DJI+Mic+Mini+2+2+TX+1+RX+Charging+Case&#038;tag=e6890-20&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"qp-btn\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Check Price at Amazon<\/a>\n      <a href=\"#best-value\" class=\"qp-jump\">Read full review \u2193<\/a>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"qp-card qp-card--blue\">\n      <span class=\"qp-num\">03<\/span>\n      <span class=\"qp-badge\">\ud83d\udcb0 Budget Pick<\/span>\n      <strong class=\"qp-name\">R\u00d8DE VideoMicro II<\/strong>\n      <div class=\"qp-rating\">\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2606 <span class=\"qp-score\">4.3 \/ 5.0<\/span> <span class=\"qp-reviews\">\u00b7 2026 pick<\/span><\/div>\n      <p class=\"qp-why\">~80 mm, 39 g, HELIX mount, plug-in power ON. No USB-C. The old page\u2019s \u201cDJI Mic\u201d and Deity D4 Mini are not the cheap seat \u2014 this is the current tiny R\u00d8DE.<\/p>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B0BM8HQL6L?tag=e6890-20\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"qp-btn\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Check Price at Amazon<\/a>\n      <a href=\"#budget-pick\" class=\"qp-jump\">Read full review \u2193<\/a>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"affiliate-disclosure\"><p><em>Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate affiliate, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"info-module buying-guide\" id=\"who-should-buy\">\n  <h3>Who should buy what<\/h3>\n  <ul>\n    <li><strong>Talking to the lens, product reviews, gimbal on this DX body:<\/strong> <a href=\"#best-overall\">VideoMic GO II Helix<\/a>. Plug-in power ON. Record MOV for 24-bit PCM. A 171 mm NTG is Overall on a Z5 II; it is extra length here.<\/li>\n    <li><strong>You or talent walks off camera, or two voices:<\/strong> <a href=\"#best-value\">DJI Mic Mini 2<\/a> camera kit (2 TX + 1 RX + case).<\/li>\n    <li><strong>Smaller than GO II, still plug-in power:<\/strong> <a href=\"#budget-pick\">VideoMicro II<\/a>.<\/li>\n    <li><strong>Gain dial and a \u221220 dB safety channel on analog 3.5 mm:<\/strong> <a href=\"#videomic-ntg\">VideoMic NTG<\/a>. Better on a cage or tripod than handheld with the 16\u201350 kit lens.<\/li>\n    <li><strong>MC\u2011DC3 occupying the headphone jack:<\/strong> <a href=\"#mke-400\">MKE 400 II<\/a> has its own headphone out. Or lock [I connector function] to [Headphone] when you are not using the remote.<\/li>\n    <li><strong>Skip as a new Z50 II buy:<\/strong> Sony MI-shoe mics. USB mics into camera USB-C. DJI Mobile RX-only kits. Nikon ME\u20111 as a ~$180 stereo mic. Original DJI Mic. Wireless GO II unless you need transmitter onboard files. A shoe mic and a Speedlight cannot share the ISO 518 shoe \u2014 pop-up flash is the built-in GN 7 unit, not a second shoe.<\/li>\n  <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Comparison Table<\/h2>\n<div class=\"comparison-module\">\n  <table class=\"comparison-table\">\n    <thead><tr><th>Product<\/th><th>Z50 II connection<\/th><th>Power<\/th><th>Job<\/th><th>Price<\/th><th>Buy<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n    <tbody>\n      <tr class=\"highlight-row\"><td><strong>R\u00d8DE VideoMic GO II Helix<\/strong><\/td><td>3.5 mm TRS \u00b7 plug-in power ON<\/td><td>None (camera 2\u20135 V or USB)<\/td><td>Light shotgun on a DX body<\/td><td>~$99<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B0D6X93C58?tag=e6890-20\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"table-price-btn\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Check<\/a><\/td><\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"highlight-row\"><td><strong>DJI Mic Mini 2 (2 TX + 1 RX)<\/strong><\/td><td>RX analog 3.5 mm TRS<\/td><td>TX ~11.5 h \u00b7 RX ~10.5 h \u00b7 case ~48 h<\/td><td>Two-person wireless lav<\/td><td>~$99<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s?k=DJI+Mic+Mini+2+2+TX+1+RX+Charging+Case&#038;tag=e6890-20&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"table-price-btn\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Check<\/a><\/td><\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"highlight-row\"><td><strong>R\u00d8DE VideoMicro II<\/strong><\/td><td>3.5 mm TRS \u00b7 plug-in power ON<\/td><td>None<\/td><td>Tiny shotgun, no USB<\/td><td>~$80<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B0BM8HQL6L?tag=e6890-20\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"table-price-btn\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Check<\/a><\/td><\/tr>\n      <tr><td>R\u00d8DE VideoMic NTG<\/td><td>Auto-sensing 3.5 mm \u00b7 plug-in power OFF<\/td><td>350 mAh \u00b7 30+ h<\/td><td>Gain dial + safety channel<\/td><td>~$223\u2013$249<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B081S9BCHF?tag=e6890-20\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"table-price-btn\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Check<\/a><\/td><\/tr>\n      <tr><td>Sennheiser MKE 400 II<\/td><td>3.5 mm TRS \u00b7 headphone on the mic<\/td><td>2\u00d7 AAA or plug-in power<\/td><td>Monitor when remote uses the jack<\/td><td>~$200<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B09Q89JQBF?tag=e6890-20\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"table-price-btn\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Check<\/a><\/td><\/tr>\n    <\/tbody>\n  <\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>How We Picked These Microphones<\/h2>\n<ul>\n  <li><strong>Z50 II I\/O is analog, and it is not the original Z50.<\/strong> Nikon spec: stereo mini-pin mic input with plug-in power; headphone\/remote cord jack that takes headphones or an MC\u2011DC3; auto switch between headphone and remote. Setup menu [I connector function] is [Auto switch] or [Headphone]. Four-pole headphone plugs can fail Auto switch \u2014 Nikon says use three-pole or lock the jack to Headphone. Video menu includes microphone sensitivity, attenuator, frequency response, wind noise reduction, [Mic jack plug-in power], and headphone volume. Nikon: turn plug-in power OFF on mics that do not need it. The original Z50 had no headphone jack. This body does. Waveform display, REC lamp, and product review mode are video options; they do not add a digital shoe.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>What the camera actually records:<\/strong> Linear PCM 48 kHz \/ 24-bit in MOV; AAC 48 kHz \/ 16-bit in MP4. File formats are MOV and MP4 only \u2014 no NEV\/N-RAW wrapper like a Z5 II. USB-C is SuperSpeed data, charging, and PD. Nikon lists UVC\/UAC webcam use on this generation; that is the camera sending video\/audio out, not a USB microphone in. Accessory shoe is ISO 518 with sync and data contacts for flash. Built-in pop-up flash GN ~7 m (ISO 100). A shoe mic occupies that shoe; it does not feed digital audio. Nikon\u2019s own list is still ME\u20111 on 3.5 mm and ME\u2011W1 Bluetooth. Third-party 3.5 mm mini-jack mics are allowed. Body about 127 \u00d7 96.8 \u00d7 66.5 mm, ~550 g with battery.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Hero SKUs from the makers.<\/strong> R\u00d8DE VideoMic GO II: 33 g mic \/ 89 g with Helix kit, 3.5 mm TRS plus USB-C, plug-in power 2\u20135 V, no battery; DSP (HPF\/pad) is USB + R\u00d8DE Central, not on the analog camera feed. Current kit is VMGOIIH with HELIX. VideoMicro II: ~80 mm, 39 g, 3.5 mm only. DJI: Mini receiver OUT is analog; Sony MI adapter is Sony-only; buy 2 TX + 1 camera RX. VideoMic NTG stays Layer 2 here because 94 g and 171 mm is a lot of tube on this DX vlog body \u2014 the gain dial is real, the size tax is too.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2>Best Microphones for Nikon Z50 II: Detailed Reviews<\/h2>\n\n<div class=\"top-recommendation\" id=\"best-overall\" data-badge=\"best-overall\">\n  <div class=\"top-badge badge-best-overall\">\ud83c\udfc6 Best Overall<\/div>\n  <h3>R\u00d8DE VideoMic GO II Helix <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B0D6X93C58?tag=e6890-20\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"title-amazon-btn\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">View on Amazon<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/search?Ntt=Rode+VideoMic+GO+II+Helix&#038;BI=8941&#038;KBID=10361&#038;SID=12345&#038;DFF=d50\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"title-bh-btn\">View on B&#038;H<\/a><\/h3>\n  <div class=\"product-highlights\">\n    <div class=\"highlight-item\"><span class=\"highlight-label\">Best For:<\/span> Plug-in-power shotgun that fits a 550 g DX body<\/div>\n    <div class=\"highlight-item\"><span class=\"highlight-label\">Key Feature:<\/span> HELIX mount \u00b7 3.5 mm + USB-C \u00b7 33 g mic<\/div>\n    <div class=\"highlight-item\"><span class=\"highlight-label\">Rating:<\/span> <span class=\"star-rating\">4.7 \/ 5.0 \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span><\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <table class=\"spec-table\">\n    <tr><th>SKU \/ ASIN<\/th><td>VMGOII \/ VMGOIIH \u00b7 B0D6X93C58<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><th>Weight<\/th><td>33 g mic \u00b7 89 g with Helix kit (R\u00d8DE)<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><th>Camera I\/O<\/th><td>3.5 mm TRS (SC14 in the box) \u00b7 plug-in power 2\u20135 V<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><th>USB-C<\/th><td>Computer\/phone mic; 3.5 mm becomes headphones in USB mode<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><th>Street<\/th><td>About $99<\/td><\/tr>\n  <\/table>\n  <p><strong>Why it is Overall on a Z50 II, not on a Z5 II.<\/strong> Same analog jack as the full-frame body, much smaller camera. The GO II Helix uses [Mic jack plug-in power], adds almost no height over the EVF, and leaves USB-C for voiceover on a laptop. R\u00d8DE is explicit: on analog 3.5 mm it is plug-and-go with no HPF\/pad switches; those DSP options are USB + Central. Set [Microphone sensitivity] manual. Record MOV if you want the 24-bit PCM this body actually has. The previous page already led with GO II; the current kit is the Helix mount SKU, not the original VideoMic GO on a 9 V battery.<\/p>\n  <p><strong>Skip this if<\/strong> the subject walks away from the camera. That is Mini 2. Skip if you wanted the NTG\u2019s gain dial and safety channel on the analog feed \u2014 that is Layer 2, and it is a longer mic. Skip if plug-in power is OFF in the video menu; the capsule is then dead.<\/p>\n  <div class=\"pros-cons\">\n    <ul class=\"pros\">\n      <li>Uses the Z50 II plug-in-power jack; size matches the body<\/li>\n      <li>USB-C for voiceover the same afternoon<\/li>\n    <\/ul>\n    <ul class=\"cons\">\n      <li>No analog safety channel; camera gain is the only level control<\/li>\n      <li>Foam in the box is not a deadcat<\/li>\n    <\/ul>\n  <\/div>\n  <p class=\"purchase-links\"><span class=\"amazon-region-btn\">Check Price on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B0D6X93C58?tag=e6890-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Amazon US<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/s?k=Rode+VideoMic+GO+II+Helix&#038;tag=pctest07-21&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">UK<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.ca\/s?k=Rode+VideoMic+GO+II+Helix&#038;tag=pctestt-20&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">CA<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.de\/s?k=Rode+VideoMic+GO+II+Helix&#038;tag=67990-21&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">DE<\/a> \u2192<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/search?Ntt=Rode+VideoMic+GO+II+Helix&#038;BI=8941&#038;KBID=10361&#038;SID=12345&#038;DFF=d50\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"purchase-link-bh\">Check Price on B&#038;H<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"top-recommendation\" id=\"best-value\" data-badge=\"best-value\">\n  <div class=\"top-badge badge-best-value\">\ud83d\udc8e Best Value<\/div>\n  <h3>DJI Mic Mini 2 (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s?k=DJI+Mic+Mini+2+2+TX+1+RX+Charging+Case&#038;tag=e6890-20&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"title-amazon-btn\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">View on Amazon<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/search?Ntt=DJI+Mic+Mini+2&#038;BI=8941&#038;KBID=10361&#038;SID=12345&#038;DFF=d50\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"title-bh-btn\">View on B&#038;H<\/a><\/h3>\n  <div class=\"product-highlights\">\n    <div class=\"highlight-item\"><span class=\"highlight-label\">Best For:<\/span> Walk-and-talk and two-person interviews<\/div>\n    <div class=\"highlight-item\"><span class=\"highlight-label\">Key Feature:<\/span> Analog 3.5 mm camera RX \u00b7 ~$99 two-person kit<\/div>\n    <div class=\"highlight-item\"><span class=\"highlight-label\">Rating:<\/span> <span class=\"star-rating\">4.5 \/ 5.0 \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2606<\/span><\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <table class=\"spec-table\">\n    <tr><th>Kit<\/th><td>2 TX + 1 camera RX + charging case (not Mobile RX)<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><th>Z50 II cable<\/th><td>Included Camera Audio Cable, 3.5 mm TRS analog<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><th>DJI claims<\/th><td>TX ~11.5 h \u00b7 RX ~10.5 h \u00b7 case ~48 h \u00b7 up to 400 m LOS<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><th>Street<\/th><td>About $99<\/td><\/tr>\n  <\/table>\n  <p><strong>Why it is Value here.<\/strong> The old page\u2019s Wireless GO II and original DJI Mic are the same job at a worse price or an obsolete kit. Mini 2\u2019s camera receiver outputs analog 3.5 mm, which is what this Nikon jack wants. DJI\u2019s Sony MI-shoe adapter is 48 kHz\/24-bit digital on Sony bodies \u2014 the Z50 II shoe is ISO 518 analog. Auto on\/off with the camera is a Mimo-app option when the RX is on the TRS cable. Buy 2 TX + 1 RX + case with the 3.5 mm cable in the box.<\/p>\n  <p><strong>Skip this if<\/strong> you only talk into the lens from a chair. GO II Helix is simpler. Skip Mobile RX kits \u2014 no 3.5 mm camera out. Skip if you need a 32-bit float file on the transmitter; that is DJI Mic 2, not Mini 2.<\/p>\n  <div class=\"pros-cons\">\n    <ul class=\"pros\">\n      <li>Two transmitters and a 3.5 mm RX for about $99<\/li>\n      <li>The analog path this Nikon actually has<\/li>\n    <\/ul>\n    <ul class=\"cons\">\n      <li>400 m is a line-of-sight claim<\/li>\n      <li>No 32-bit float onboard like Mic 2<\/li>\n    <\/ul>\n  <\/div>\n  <p class=\"purchase-links\"><span class=\"amazon-region-btn\">Check Price on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s?k=DJI+Mic+Mini+2+2+TX+1+RX+Charging+Case&#038;tag=e6890-20&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Amazon US<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/s?k=DJI+Mic+Mini+2+2+TX+1+RX+Charging+Case&#038;tag=pctest07-21&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">UK<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.ca\/s?k=DJI+Mic+Mini+2+2+TX+1+RX+Charging+Case&#038;tag=pctestt-20&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">CA<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.de\/s?k=DJI+Mic+Mini+2+2+TX+1+RX+Charging+Case&#038;tag=67990-21&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">DE<\/a> \u2192<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/search?Ntt=DJI+Mic+Mini+2&#038;BI=8941&#038;KBID=10361&#038;SID=12345&#038;DFF=d50\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"purchase-link-bh\">Check Price on B&#038;H<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"top-recommendation\" id=\"budget-pick\" data-badge=\"budget\">\n  <div class=\"top-badge badge-budget\">\ud83d\udcb0 Budget Pick<\/div>\n  <h3>R\u00d8DE VideoMicro II <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B0BM8HQL6L?tag=e6890-20\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"title-amazon-btn\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">View on Amazon<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/search?Ntt=Rode+VideoMicro+II&#038;BI=8941&#038;KBID=10361&#038;SID=12345&#038;DFF=d50\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"title-bh-btn\">View on B&#038;H<\/a><\/h3>\n  <div class=\"product-highlights\">\n    <div class=\"highlight-item\"><span class=\"highlight-label\">Best For:<\/span> Smallest plug-in-power upgrade over the built-in mics<\/div>\n    <div class=\"highlight-item\"><span class=\"highlight-label\">Key Feature:<\/span> ~80 mm \u00b7 39 g \u00b7 HELIX \u00b7 3.5 mm only<\/div>\n    <div class=\"highlight-item\"><span class=\"highlight-label\">Rating:<\/span> <span class=\"star-rating\">4.3 \/ 5.0 \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2606<\/span><\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <table class=\"spec-table\">\n    <tr><th>SKU \/ ASIN<\/th><td>VideoMicro II \u00b7 B0BM8HQL6L<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><th>Size<\/th><td>~80 mm \u00b7 39 g \u00b7 HELIX mount<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><th>I\/O<\/th><td>3.5 mm only \u00b7 plug-in power ON \u00b7 no USB<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><th>Street<\/th><td>About $80<\/td><\/tr>\n  <\/table>\n  <p><strong>Why not Deity D4 Mini or the original DJI Mic as Budget.<\/strong> The old page mixed a dual-capsule Deity and a first-gen DJI kit as if they were the cheap seats. VideoMicro II is the current tiny R\u00d8DE: plug-in power, HELIX, windshields, no battery. Same rule as GO II: [Mic jack plug-in power] ON. You lose USB-C and a bit of tube length. That is the trade.<\/p>\n  <p><strong>Skip this if<\/strong> you can spend the extra ~$20 for GO II Helix and want USB-C. Skip original VideoMicro (non-II).<\/p>\n  <div class=\"pros-cons\">\n    <ul class=\"pros\">\n      <li>Lightest R\u00d8DE shotgun on this shoe<\/li>\n      <li>No cell to charge<\/li>\n    <\/ul>\n    <ul class=\"cons\">\n      <li>No USB; no on-mic filters on analog<\/li>\n      <li>Still a shotgun \u2014 will not follow a lav<\/li>\n    <\/ul>\n  <\/div>\n  <p class=\"purchase-links\"><span class=\"amazon-region-btn\">Check Price on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B0BM8HQL6L?tag=e6890-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Amazon US<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/s?k=Rode+VideoMicro+II&#038;tag=pctest07-21&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">UK<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.ca\/s?k=Rode+VideoMicro+II&#038;tag=pctestt-20&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">CA<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.de\/s?k=Rode+VideoMicro+II&#038;tag=67990-21&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">DE<\/a> \u2192<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/search?Ntt=Rode+VideoMicro+II&#038;BI=8941&#038;KBID=10361&#038;SID=12345&#038;DFF=d50\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"purchase-link-bh\">Check Price on B&#038;H<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>If You Need Something Else<\/h2>\n\n<div class=\"top-recommendation\" id=\"videomic-ntg\" data-badge=\"premium\">\n  <div class=\"top-badge badge-premium\">\ud83c\udf9a\ufe0f Gain dial + safety channel<\/div>\n  <h3>R\u00d8DE VideoMic NTG <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B081S9BCHF?tag=e6890-20\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"title-amazon-btn\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">View on Amazon<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/search?Ntt=Rode+VideoMic+NTG&#038;BI=8941&#038;KBID=10361&#038;SID=12345&#038;DFF=d50\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"title-bh-btn\">View on B&#038;H<\/a><\/h3>\n  <table class=\"spec-table\">\n    <tr><th>SKU \/ ASIN<\/th><td>VMNTG \u00b7 B081S9BCHF<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><th>Why not Overall here<\/th><td>94 g \u00b7 171 mm on a 550 g DX body<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><th>a7-style analog extras<\/th><td>Variable gain \u00b7 \u221220 dB safety \u00b7 pad \u00b7 75\/150 Hz HPF \u00b7 30+ h battery<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><th>Z50 II<\/th><td>3.5 mm analog \u00b7 [Mic jack plug-in power] OFF<\/td><\/tr>\n  <\/table>\n  <p>This is Overall on a Z5 II because that body can carry the tube. On a Z50 II it is the analog shotgun you add when the camera is caged or on sticks and you want a hardware safety channel. USB-C is still a computer mic, not the camera USB-C. Leave plug-in power OFF; it has its own 350 mAh cell.<\/p>\n  <p class=\"purchase-links\"><span class=\"amazon-region-btn\">Check Price on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B081S9BCHF?tag=e6890-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Amazon US<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/s?k=Rode+VideoMic+NTG&#038;tag=pctest07-21&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">UK<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.ca\/s?k=Rode+VideoMic+NTG&#038;tag=pctestt-20&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">CA<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.de\/s?k=Rode+VideoMic+NTG&#038;tag=67990-21&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">DE<\/a> \u2192<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/search?Ntt=Rode+VideoMic+NTG&#038;BI=8941&#038;KBID=10361&#038;SID=12345&#038;DFF=d50\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"purchase-link-bh\">Check Price on B&#038;H<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"top-recommendation\" id=\"mke-400\" data-badge=\"premium\">\n  <div class=\"top-badge badge-premium\">\ud83c\udfa7 When the remote owns the headphone jack<\/div>\n  <h3>Sennheiser MKE 400 II <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B09Q89JQBF?tag=e6890-20\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"title-amazon-btn\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">View on Amazon<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/search?Ntt=Sennheiser+MKE+400+II&#038;BI=8941&#038;KBID=10361&#038;SID=12345&#038;DFF=d50\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"title-bh-btn\">View on B&#038;H<\/a><\/h3>\n  <table class=\"spec-table\">\n    <tr><th>SKU \/ ASIN<\/th><td>508898 \u00b7 B09Q89JQBF<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><th>Pattern<\/th><td>Supercardioid \u00b7 3-step sensitivity \u00b7 low-cut<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><th>Monitor<\/th><td>Headphone jack on the mic with volume<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><th>Power<\/th><td>2\u00d7 AAA or plug-in power \u00b7 auto on\/off with camera<\/td><\/tr>\n  <\/table>\n  <p>The Z50 II has headphones. The remaining reason to buy MKE 400 II is the jack on the microphone: if an MC\u2011DC3 is in the camera\u2019s headphone\/remote port, you can still monitor on the Sennheiser. Furry windshield in the box. Street price sits near the NTG \u2014 it is not Budget.<\/p>\n  <p class=\"purchase-links\"><span class=\"amazon-region-btn\">Check Price on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B09Q89JQBF?tag=e6890-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Amazon US<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/s?k=Sennheiser+MKE+400+II&#038;tag=pctest07-21&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">UK<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.ca\/s?k=Sennheiser+MKE+400+II&#038;tag=pctestt-20&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">CA<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.de\/s?k=Sennheiser+MKE+400+II&#038;tag=67990-21&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">DE<\/a> \u2192<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/search?Ntt=Sennheiser+MKE+400+II&#038;BI=8941&#038;KBID=10361&#038;SID=12345&#038;DFF=d50\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"purchase-link-bh\">Check Price on B&#038;H<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<div class=\"faq-module\">\n  <div class=\"faq-item\"><h3>Does the Z50 II have a headphone jack?<\/h3><p>Yes. The original Z50 did not. This body shares the jack with the MC\u2011DC3. [I connector function] in the setup menu is [Auto switch] or [Headphone]. Nikon: use a 3-pole plug on Auto switch; 4-pole headsets may need the jack locked to Headphone.<\/p><\/div>\n  <div class=\"faq-item\"><h3>Can I plug a USB microphone into the Z50 II?<\/h3><p>Not for in-camera recording. USB-C is data, charging, and PD. Webcam\/UVC use sends the camera\u2019s audio out. The GO II Helix and NTG are USB mics on a laptop; on the camera they go in the 3.5 mm jack.<\/p><\/div>\n  <div class=\"faq-item\"><h3>MOV or MP4 for sound?<\/h3><p>MOV gets Linear PCM 48 kHz \/ 24-bit. MP4 is AAC 48 kHz \/ 16-bit. There is no NEV on this body. If the external mic is why you bought the camera, record MOV unless you need the smaller AAC file.<\/p><\/div>\n  <div class=\"faq-item\"><h3>Should plug-in power be on?<\/h3><p>ON for GO II Helix and VideoMicro II. OFF for the NTG and for wireless receivers that supply their own output \u2014 Nikon says unused plug-in power can add supply noise.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Final Verdict<\/h2>\n<div class=\"conclusion-module verdict-box\">\n  <div class=\"verdict-picks\">\n    <div class=\"verdict-item\">\n      <span class=\"verdict-label\">\ud83c\udfc6 Best Overall:<\/span>\n      <div class=\"verdict-product\"><strong>R\u00d8DE VideoMic GO II Helix<\/strong> <span class=\"verdict-reason\">\u2013 plug-in-power shotgun sized for this DX body.<\/span><\/div>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B0D6X93C58?tag=e6890-20\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"verdict-btn\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Buy Now<\/a>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"verdict-item\">\n      <span class=\"verdict-label\">\ud83d\udc8e Best Value:<\/span>\n      <div class=\"verdict-product\"><strong>DJI Mic Mini 2 (2 TX + 1 RX)<\/strong> <span class=\"verdict-reason\">\u2013 two-person wireless on the analog jack for about $99.<\/span><\/div>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s?k=DJI+Mic+Mini+2+2+TX+1+RX+Charging+Case&#038;tag=e6890-20&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"verdict-btn\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Buy Now<\/a>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"verdict-item\">\n      <span class=\"verdict-label\">\ud83d\udcb0 Budget Pick:<\/span>\n      <div class=\"verdict-product\"><strong>R\u00d8DE VideoMicro II<\/strong> <span class=\"verdict-reason\">\u2013 smaller plug-in-power shotgun, no USB.<\/span><\/div>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B0BM8HQL6L?tag=e6890-20\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"verdict-btn\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Buy Now<\/a>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <p class=\"verdict-summary\">The Z50 II is analog 3.5 mm with plug-in power, 24-bit PCM in MOV, and a headphone jack the original Z50 did not have. There is no digital shoe and no NEV. VideoMic GO II Helix is Overall because it fits the body and uses the jack Nikon documents. Mini 2 is Value when people walk. VideoMicro II is Budget. NTG is the gain-dial spare, not the default on this DX camera. Do not buy Sony MI mics or USB mics for in-camera sound.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The original Z50 had no headphone jack. The Z50 II adds one (shared with the MC-DC3), plug-in power on the mic jack, and 24-bit PCM in MOV. No digital shoe. VideoMic GO II Helix is Overall on this DX body. DJI Mic Mini 2 is Value for walk-and-talk. VideoMicro II is Budget.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,3],"tags":[721,501,127,2331,751],"class_list":["post-2984","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-microphone","category-nikon","tag-external-microphone","tag-microphone","tag-nikon-z50-ii","tag-on-camera-microphone","tag-vlogging-microphone"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cameraegg.org\/camerareview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2984","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cameraegg.org\/camerareview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cameraegg.org\/camerareview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cameraegg.org\/camerareview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cameraegg.org\/camerareview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2984"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.cameraegg.org\/camerareview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2984\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9628,"href":"https:\/\/www.cameraegg.org\/camerareview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2984\/revisions\/9628"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cameraegg.org\/camerareview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2984"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cameraegg.org\/camerareview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2984"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cameraegg.org\/camerareview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2984"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}