Sony Alpha Compact Stereo Microphone - ECM-SST1

Comments about Sony Alpha Compact Stereo Microphone:

I use this product with Sony NEX-5 to record a special event.

Comments about Sony Alpha Compact Stereo Microphone:

Had this mic for a few hours before returning for refund. Immediately started comparing microphone's performance to that of the built-in mic on my NEX-5N. WITHOUT this mic, I picked up sound from all directions and virtually no room tone. WITH this mic, I only picked up sound in front of the camera, but the room tone sounded like a jet engine, or at least, a nearby waterfall. I know this is easily removed in editing, but I don't think that should be a necessary step, so I returned it. I hope I just had a defective mic, so I may try this product again in the future. I love my NEX-5N, I just wish Sony would make some sort of adapter so we can use other microphones.

Comments about Sony Alpha Compact Stereo Microphone:

Greatly improves sound quality of Sony Nex-5n. It's compact size doesn't add too much bulk to the camera.

Comments about Sony Alpha Compact Stereo Microphone:

Sound is very good as long as you are not planning to zoom while recording or if you are using a tripod. The Microphone picks up clunking from my hands on the camera and when I try to use the zoom.

Comments about Sony Alpha Compact Stereo Microphone:

I bought and tested the ECM-SST 1 compact mic on a NEX-5 during lunch hour, shooting into a continuous passing crowd on the Ave. of the Americas, in Manhattan.
There was also a crosswind present. I shot three test clips: 1-with the Mic set on wide(120), 2- with the Mic set on narrow (90) & 3- using the camera's built-in Mic alone. The Mic itself wasn't easy to attach to the camera. The opened sliding access top panel on the camera blocks easy access to the locking wheel assembly on the lower support mechanism of the Mic's configuration, when it is connected to the NEX camera. , Once connected, I started the test. With the Mic in either the 120 or the 90 mode, it picked up the passing peoples' conversations cleanly.The supplied windscreen cut off the driving cross wind nicely.
(The results are satisfying, however, this is not a pro-boom Mic on a major shoot. However, for use with the NEX cameras, it is just fine).
When I played the clip that I'd shot with the NEX-5 using its onboard Mic, (with the same shooting conditions as the first two clips, the difference between the clips was extremely dramatic. The audible wind noise cut through the camera's onboard Mic clip and there was dropout in the passing people's conversation. I'd recommend getting the ECM-SST1 Mic. It really filters well and does the job; but, be careful, watch the access door when you nimbly attached and lockdown the Mic into its shooting position on the top of your NEX.
Also, Thank you Sony for the free plastic Mic case, although, the construction of it looks as if it may not last too long. It is lightweight and does the job.