ATian SGC-698 Photography Interview MIC Microphone for Nikon Canon Camera DV Camcorder Canon 1DX 1D MARKIV 5DII 5D3 7D 70D 550D 6D 60D 600D 5D 650D, 100D Nikon D300S / D4 / D35 / D5100 / D5200 / D53

I was not paid nor did I get a discount for this item. This review is my honest view!This is a pretty good mic for the cost. I am using till I can save up for a Rode VMP which are much more expensive. Sound is mostly clear if close but if your are farther then say 5ft it starts getting bad fast. I wish it was a little better at not picking up sounds behind it.Pros:Inexpensive - Cheap fast way to get a better mic for your DSLR.+20db gainSmall so doesn't take up much roomBuild quality is pretty goodCame with a windshieldCons:Inexpensive so doesn't do as well as say Rode VMPTakes a battery and not one that you usually have handy (CR2032)Mine doesn't have a light to tell when it is on soEasily able to leave on and run Battery dead

The media could not be loaded.  I test my canon Rebel T6i and smart phone Samsung S7 with this Microphone and the Audio was very good. Also I was able to raise the volume by changing from 0dB to +20dB. It was very impress.I compare my canon T6i with and without this mic. You can hear more background with canon internal mic and less background noise with this external Mic. I also went to a 5 de mayo celebration and I used my canon and Samsung S7 with this Mic and the Audio was very cool.

THIS IS A REVIEW FOR THE SGC-698 VERSION. Why this entry is merged with the inferior SGC-598, I don't understand...The SGC-698 is a decent stereo condeser shotgun mic fo a DSLR, with a few shortcomings for the price. Nice metal construction on the mic and electronics, unfortunately the base which connects to the flash shoe is plastic and doesn't appear quite as well made as the core mic part. I can't fathom why the manufacturer doesn't include one CR2032 battery since there is a molded space for the battery in the nice product box!Our usual pros/cons, first the pros: + nicely constructed metal core mic section of the product + good stereo response left and right with slight loss of gain straight ahead of mic + when used at -10dB setting, the mic has an OK noise floor + package includes nice cardboard storage box + package includes "foxtail" style wind screen and storage bag + good balance when in flash shoeand the cons: - adding any pre-amp gain (0 dB or +20dB) on the mic introduces significantly more noise than -10dB - base that includes flash shoe connection is plastic and less well made than mic - plastic base is threaded, but not for 1/4-20 tripod thread (and I wouldn't use it!) - choice of CR-2032 means no rechargeable battery option - no batteries included (though box has a molded space for it) - the foxtail windscreen is very difficult to put on the micActually, the SGC-698 with the addition of a hot shoe to tripod mount adapter is usable in a pinch as an interview mic. I've done so with a Tascam DR-60d digital recorder.

This mic works as expected at all settings but led "ON" indicator doesn't work. It flashes once when turning on so maybe switch not working/soldered correctly. too much hassle to return and be with out a mic. Good at fixing things so maybe i will take it apart someday to fix it. And yes did put in a good brand/new battery other than the one it comes with.

Really good mic, Only issue i have with this mic is the battery. Very tiny battery. (i think Cr2032) But sound is excellent.

Returning it. The one I got is defective because the hot shoe won’t slide it to my Canon T6i camera, while my flash slides in perfectly . I checked the hot shoe and sure enough it’s too big that’s why it won’t slide in.

Good mic

Looked and felt good but the unit was DOA, Installed several different new batteries but unit never came on, never recorded any sound. Sending back for a refund.