Introduction
The Canon DM-E1 is an excellent microphone designed for capturing high-quality audio during your video recording adventures. In this review, we’ll dive into the key features, performance, pros, and cons of this microphone to help you make an informed decision.
Key Features
- Directionality: The DM-E1 offers versatile directionality options, including shotgun, stereo, and 5.1-channel surround sound, allowing you to adapt to various recording scenarios effortlessly.
- Build Quality: It boasts a robust and lightweight design, making it suitable for on-the-go videography.
- Plug and Play: This microphone is exceptionally user-friendly, with a straightforward plug-and-play setup compatible with a wide range of Canon cameras.
- Wind Noise Reduction: Equipped with a windscreen, it effectively minimizes wind noise, ensuring your audio remains clear even in breezy conditions.
- Battery-Free: The DM-E1 is powered directly by your Canon camera, eliminating the need for additional batteries.
Pros
- Exceptional Audio Quality: The DM-E1 delivers clear and professional-grade audio, enhancing the overall quality of your videos.
- Versatile Directionality: With multiple modes to choose from, you can record audio precisely as you want, whether it’s directional audio or immersive surround sound.
- User-Friendly: Its plug-and-play nature makes it accessible for beginners, while its advanced features cater to seasoned videographers.
- Durable Build: The microphone’s solid construction ensures it can handle the rigors of on-location shoots.
- Wind Noise Reduction: The windscreen effectively minimizes unwanted noise, a huge plus when shooting outdoors.
- Battery-Free Operation: You won’t have to worry about running out of power mid-recording, as it draws power directly from your camera.
Cons
- Pricey: The DM-E1’s premium features come at a cost, making it less budget-friendly compared to some alternatives.
- Limited Compatibility: While it works seamlessly with Canon cameras, it may not be as adaptable to non-Canon setups.
Performance
The Canon DM-E1 stands out in terms of performance. It excels in capturing audio with utmost clarity, whether you’re shooting vlogs, interviews, or cinematic footage. The ability to switch between shotgun, stereo, and surround sound modes adds a new dimension to your audio, allowing you to tailor your recordings to your exact needs. This flexibility sets it apart from many other microphones on the market.
During our testing, the DM-E1 demonstrated its noise reduction capabilities. The windscreen effectively minimizes wind noise, ensuring that outdoor recordings are crisp and clear. This feature is particularly valuable for outdoor videography enthusiasts.
The microphone’s ability to draw power directly from the camera simplifies setup and eliminates the need for additional batteries. This not only streamlines your equipment but also ensures you won’t run into power issues during recording sessions.
Conclusion
The Canon DM-E1 is a top-tier microphone that brings professional audio quality to your video recording endeavors. Its versatility, exceptional performance, and user-friendly design make it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced videographers. While its price may deter budget-conscious users, the value it adds to your audio recordings is worth the investment. The DM-E1’s ability to capture clear and immersive audio sets it apart in a crowded market.
Summary
The Canon DM-E1 is a reliable and high-quality microphone for Canon camera users, offering superb audio capabilities and a range of features that elevate your video content.
LaneP –
Overall this unit will improve on video sound quality in certain exterior wind conditions and when you want to isolate sound directly in front of you. On my EOS 6D MK II the built-in camera mic is really good on interior video without environmental issues. That makes the DM-E1 less useful in such circumstances.My chief concerns are battery life indicator, and the fact you can inadvertently leave the DM-E1 off and record video with no sound (more on that in a minute).The battery life indicator consists of a single flash of the red LED when you move the power switch from the off position to on or auto. That’s all you get. In theory, if your battery conks out during recording you will lose audio from that point forward. This means that before an important recording event, be sure to pop in a new battery. I have yet to determine the recording life of a new battery. The upside to having a separate microphone battery is that it doesn’t drain your camera battery, the downside is that it’s yet another concern to manage while recording.During my test videos, I managed to record a clip after forgetting to switch the DM-E1 on. My video clip had no audio recorded and I had no idea it happened until after the fact. To avoid this occurring in the future, those who will use the DM-E1 regularly should (and this depends on your camera model) go into the movie mode menu settings and set audio recording levels to “manual” (default is “auto”). Then when you are looking at your scene on the camera LCD screen, depress the Quick Control button (this applies to the 6D MK II, may be different depending on your model camera).On the Quick Control menu overlay, select “Audio recording level” icon so you can actively see the manually set recording level. If the DM-E1 is switched off or the battery has died, there will be no activity on the recording level monitor. Getting in the habit of doing this before recording can prevent a catastrophe. If you plan to use the DM-D1 regularly, I recommend leaving it set to the “Auto” position, rather than switching it off. This will allow it to pause itself when the camera reaches its inactivity time limit and automatically powers down.Overall I like the unit and I like to stick with OEM products whenever possible to maximize compatibility. I only wish Canon had provided a better method of monitoring battery life and made a provision that enables the camera built-in mic to take over automatically if the DM-E1 battery dies during recording or was left in the off position. Those two changes would have made this a 5 star product.
Sam II –
I didn’t want to go with a generic mic so I purchased this more expensive Canon mic. I was surprised that it came with a wind sock and pleased it did. Overall, I guess you can get a decent mic for under $50.00 rather than pay the $200.00 plus for this one, but I wanted the best; a Canon mic for my Canon T7i. I tested it vs. the built in mic on the camera and there is a huge difference. The Canon mic picked up where the voice was coming from, i.e. front, back or side and the sound reverberated accordingly. I’m pleased with it.
Josef Tullmann –
My issue is strictly with the way the product was advertised in the pictures. I thought that the camera and microphone were BOTH included in the purchase. I typed in the words “cameras with external microphone” and this camera came up on my phone. When it arrived, there was only the microphone. I looked back at the description and it does say “external microphone,” but in small letters. I leave for my family vacation on Monday. Luckily, I have a back up camera, but still NOT HAPPY!!! Canon (or whoever is in charge of photo advertising) SHOULD HAVE DONE a MUCH BETTER JOB with their online photos. I found the pictures very misleading.
Humood K. –
This is a great microphone with a flick of a switch it can go from a uni directional to a stereo 90 or 120 degrees. And since it’s made by Canon it locks on your hot shoe.
M.J.A. Vermeulen –
I was very disappointed by the sound quality compared to the build-in mic (6d mkii).Furthermore, sounds from the lens (IS and changing aperture) are not dampened by the mount at all.It is not possible to see the battery status while in use; only when you switch it on the LED will blink briefly. It won’t do this when in ‘auto’ mode, so you never know if it is working or not.I returned it and am currently waiting for the Azden SMX-30 which is about the same price.
John Daraban –
I have used other high quality mics for my dslr videos and the Canon mic is the best.
WCJ –
Worked perfectly.
R Slaughter –
Have only used it once so far but the sound pickup was flawless. Used it a club recording a band.