What are the best professional-grade shotgun microphones?
This page compares 5 professional-grade shotgun microphones with verified specifications and prices. Top options include Sennheiser MKH 416-P48U3, DPA 2017 Shotgun Microphone, RØDE NTG3. Prices range from £407 to £1,449. All data is sourced from manufacturer documentation and specialist retailers.
| Product ⇅ | Price ⇅ | Polar Pattern ⇅ | Frequency Response (Hz) ⇅ | Sensitivity (dBV/Pa) ⇅ | Max Sensitivity (dBV/Pa) ⇅ | Impedance (ohms) ⇅ | Directional Pickup Pattern ⇅ |
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Sennheiser MKH 416-P48U3
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£632.41 ≈ | Supercardioid / Lobar | 40 Hz to 20 kHz | 25 mV/Pa ± 1 dB at 1 kHz | — | 25 Ω | Hypercardioid at low and medium frequencies; lobar above 2 kHz |
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The MKH 416-P48U3 is a professional RF condenser shotgun microphone with strong directivity, low self-noise, and a 40 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response. Its moisture-resistant design and high 130 dB SPL handling make it well suited to film, television, broadcast, and demanding outdoor recording. ★ Ideal forIt suits professional-grade shotgun microphone applications with its supercardioid/lobar pickup, 25 mV/Pa sensitivity, 13 dB self-noise, 130 dB SPL handling, and moisture-resistant RF condenser design.
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DPA 2017 Shotgun Microphone
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£656.81 ≈ | Supercardioid | 20 Hz - 20 kHz | 25 mV/Pa; -32 dB re. 1 V/Pa | — | 60 Ω | Supercardioid at 1 kHz |
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The DPA 2017 is a compact, durable shotgun microphone with a highly directional supercardioid pattern, low self-noise, and natural off-axis response. It suits professional broadcast, film, boom, on-camera, and fixed-position recording in demanding environments. ★ Ideal forThis is a strong professional-grade shotgun microphone choice because its 20 Hz - 20 kHz response, 25 mV/Pa sensitivity, 60 Ω impedance, 13 dB(A) typical self-noise, and supercardioid pickup provide clean, focused sound for broadcast and film production.
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RØDE NTG3
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£406.81 ≈ | Supercardioid | 40Hz to 20kHz | -30dB ±2dB re 1V/Pa at 1kHz | — | 25 ohms | Line Gradient |
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The RØDE NTG3 is a broadcast-grade RF-biased shotgun microphone with a supercardioid pattern, 40Hz to 20kHz frequency response, low self-noise, and strong resistance to moisture and condensation. It suits professional film, television, electronic news gathering, voice-over, and outdoor production work. ★ Ideal forThe NTG3 suits professional-grade shotgun microphone work because its line-gradient supercardioid pickup, 40Hz to 20kHz response, 13dBA self-noise, RF-bias moisture resistance, and 130dB maximum SPL support demanding film and broadcast recording.
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Schoeps Mini CMIT
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£1448.99 ≈ | Supercardioid / lobe-shaped | 60 Hz - 20 kHz | -35 dB (V/Pa), 17 mV/Pa | 130 dB-SPL (P48), 115 dB-SPL (P12) | 100 ohms output impedance | Supercardioid / front-lobe |
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The Schoeps MiniCMIT is a compact, lightweight shotgun microphone with a supercardioid, lobe-shaped pickup pattern and a fixed 70 Hz low-cut filter. It supports P12 and P48 phantom power and suits professional film, broadcast, documentary, music recording, and portable field-recording work. ★ Ideal forIt suits professional-grade shotgun microphone use because its 60 Hz - 20 kHz response, 17 mV/Pa sensitivity, 130 dB-SPL maximum level on P48, 100 ohm output impedance, low 78 g weight, and focused supercardioid/lobe-shaped pattern provide strong directional capture for demanding production audio.
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Neumann KMR 81
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£1256.68 ≈ | Supercardioid/lobe | 20 Hz to 20 kHz | 18 mV/Pa ± 1 dB | — | 150 ohms | 90 degree lobe |
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The Neumann KMR 81 is a professional short shotgun condenser microphone with highly directional pickup, low self-noise, switchable 10 dB preattenuation, and a 200 Hz low-cut filter. It is designed for film dialogue, broadcast, ENG, location recording, and other professional applications where clear sound must be captured from a distance. ★ Ideal forThe KMR 81 suits professional-grade shotgun microphone work because its supercardioid/lobe pattern provides a 90 degree pickup angle, its 20 Hz to 20 kHz response supports full-range dialogue, and its 128 dB maximum SPL enables demanding location recording.
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