Movo VXR10 Review

The Movo VXR10 is a lightweight and compact cardioid condenser microphone that’s designed for use with cameras and mobile phones. It comes with a shock mount that slips into a hot shoe and has cables that enable it to be connected to a camera or a phone.

• Product type: Mini Shotgun Microphone
• Polar Pattern: Cardioid
• Frequency Response: 35 Hz to 18 kHz, +/-3dB
• Sensitivity: -42dB +/- 1dB/0dB=1V/Pa, 1kHz
• Signal to Noise Ratio: 76dB
• Output Connectors: 3.5mm TRS Mini-Jack (for Cameras, Recorders & Camcorders); 3.5mm TRRS (for Smartphones, Tablets, & Mac)
• Power Requirements: Host-powered
• Dimensions (LxD): 22 x 81mm / 0.86 x 3.2-inches
• Weight: 51g / 1.8oz

While the microphone built into the average camera or smartphone is convenient, it doesn’t capture the best audio. For a start it’s prone to picking up operational and handling sounds, and there’s no protection from the wind, so while it can work well occasionally, it’s not ideal.

The prospect of adding an external mic to your kit can be a little daunting, but it can significantly improve the audio you record with your videos – even if you’re only looking to record ambient sound.

Also, it doesn’t need to be complicated. The Movo VXR10 shotgun microphone comes with two cables, one that’s designed for use with a smartphone and another than is compatible with the 3.5mm mic ports in many cameras. It doesn’t require a battery or power supply as it’s host-powered.

Once the mic is connected to the camera, you’re ready to go. There’s no need to turn the mic on or off, it just starts working when you switch to video mode and begin recording. It’s perfect for when you want to shoot a quick video.

Helpfully, Movo also supplies the VXR10 with a shock mount that slips into a camera’s hot shoe and windshield for when you’re shooting outdoors.

While the Movo VXR10 is a directional mic, it still picks up some sound from the surroundings, which means it’s useful for capturing natural audio. You can talk to camera, for example, and the sound of people chatting in the background will still register, but not dominate or overpower your voice.

However, subject distance is important. The best audio is recorded with the mic around 18-inches from the source. That’s a good distance that works well for vlogging, especially on the hoof with the camera at arm’s length.

As you move away from your subject, other sounds become more significant in the audio track.

At just 51g/1.8oz, the VXR10 doesn’t make a noticeable difference to the weight of your kit. That’s especially good news for anyone handholding their camera!

Movo supplies a windshield that slips over the mic body. This does a great job even in quite strong wind. You may still get some wind sound, but it’s not that offensive crackle and roar that you get without a windshield. It sounds natural, if you’re out is strong wind you hear it and the mic picks up a little of the sound without it being problematic.

The video below was shot on the Sony RX100 VII in 4K with different microphone options including the Movo VXR10 Universal Cardioid Condenser Video Microphone.

The video below compares the audio recorded via the Nikon Z50’s internal mic and with the Movo VXR10 with the supplied windshield in windy conditions on the Nikon Z50. The background sound is from the river and weir.

This next video was shot on the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III with the audio recorded via the Movo VXR10 Universal Cardioid Condenser Microphone. It was shot indoors in a room with people talking in the background throughout the recording. It demonstrates the natural sound and how the relative position of the subject to the mic influences the audio.

At less than £40/$40 the Movo VXR10 is an affordable shotgun mic that comes with everything you’re likely to need. It makes a significant step-up in audio quality in comparison with a camera’s on-board mic, especially in windy conditions.

If you’re starting to get into shooting video, the Movo VXR10 is a no-brainer addition to your kit.