Jon Fairhurst of P3Pictures has done quite a study on audio options for hybrid cameras. Although P3Pictures uses a Canon 5D Mark II for its testing, at least some of their conclusions could apply to other hybrid cameras, including the Canon 7D, Panasonic Lumix GH1, and others yet to be released. P3Pictures’ goal with these scientific tests is to find the most professional quality sound, with mid-priced equipment. In all tests, P3Pictures uses the M-Audio Microtrack II, Zoom H4n, BeachTek DXA-5D, and the juicedLink CX 231. The first test is done with a closely placed shotgun mic. The second test uses a camera-mounted shotgun. The third test is with a wireless lavaliere microphone. Part 4 is foley recording, and Part 5 explores the noise floor of each option. Part 6 are P3Pictures’ conclusions. Here come the videos…

Test 1, with a closely placed shotgun microphone

1. Canon 5D Mark II Audio Exposed – Boom Mic (juicedLink, Zoom H4n, Microtrack II, BeachTek) from P3Pictures on Vimeo.

Test 2, with a camera-mounted shotgun microphone

2. Canon 5D Mark II Audio Exposed – On Camera (juicedLink, Zoom H4n, Microtrack II, BeachTek) from P3Pictures on Vimeo.

Test 3, with a wireless lavaliere microphone

3. Canon 5D Mark II Audio Exposed – Wireless Lav from P3Pictures on Vimeo.

Test 4, foley recording

4. Canon 5D Mark II Audio Exposed – Foley from P3Pictures on Vimeo.

Test 5, the noise floor

5. Canon 5D Mark II Audio Exposed – Noise from P3Pictures on Vimeo.

P3Pictures’ conclusions

6. Canon 5D Mark II Audio Exposed – Conclusions from P3Pictures on Vimeo.

My only additional wish

P3Pictures did an amazing job! My only wish is that P3Pictures had included the Edirol R-09, the Sony PCM-D50, and the Tascam DR-100 recorders among the tests.

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