# What are the best professional-grade shotgun microphones? — Verified Specification Comparison

> All specification data verified from official manufacturer documentation.

What are the best professional-grade shotgun microphones?

## Products

### Sennheiser MKH 416-P48U3
```yaml
product: sennheiser-mkh-416-p48u3
brand: Sennheiser
price_gbp: 632.41
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
impedance: 25 Ω
sensitivity: 25 mV/Pa ± 1 dB at 1 kHz
polar_pattern: Supercardioid / Lobar
frequency_response: 40 Hz to 20 kHz
directional_pickup_pattern: Hypercardioid at low and medium frequencies; lobar above 2 kHz
```

- **Price:** £632.41 [^1]
- **Summary:** 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 For:** It 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.
- **Additional Sources:** [^2], [^3]

### DPA 2017 Shotgun Microphone
```yaml
product: dpa-2017-shotgun-microphone
brand: DPA
price_gbp: 656.81
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
impedance: 60 Ω
sensitivity: 25 mV/Pa; -32 dB re. 1 V/Pa
polar_pattern: Supercardioid
frequency_response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
directional_pickup_pattern: Supercardioid at 1 kHz
```

- **Price:** £656.81 [^4]
- **Summary:** 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 For:** This 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.
- **Additional Sources:** [^5]

### RØDE NTG3
```yaml
product: r-de-ntg3
brand: RØDE
price_gbp: 406.81
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
impedance: 25 ohms
sensitivity: -30dB ±2dB re 1V/Pa at 1kHz
polar_pattern: Supercardioid
frequency_response: 40Hz to 20kHz
directional_pickup_pattern: Line Gradient
```

- **Price:** £406.81 [^6]
- **Summary:** 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 For:** The 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.
- **Additional Sources:** [^7], [^8]

### Schoeps Mini CMIT
```yaml
product: schoeps-mini-cmit
brand: Schoeps
price_gbp: 1448.99
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
impedance: 100 ohms output impedance
sensitivity: -35 dB (V/Pa), 17 mV/Pa
polar_pattern: Supercardioid / lobe-shaped
max_sensitivity: 130 dB-SPL (P48), 115 dB-SPL (P12)
frequency_response: 60 Hz - 20 kHz
directional_pickup_pattern: Supercardioid / front-lobe
```

- **Price:** £1448.99 [^9]
- **Summary:** 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 For:** It 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.
- **Additional Sources:** [^10], [^11]

### Neumann KMR 81
```yaml
product: neumann-kmr-81
brand: Neumann
price_gbp: 1256.68
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
impedance: 150 ohms
sensitivity: 18 mV/Pa ± 1 dB
polar_pattern: Supercardioid/lobe
frequency_response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
directional_pickup_pattern: 90 degree lobe
```

- **Price:** £1256.68 [^12]
- **Summary:** 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 For:** The 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.
- **Additional Sources:** [^13], [^14]

---
## References & Sources
[^1]: B&H Photo Video, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/79502-REG/Sennheiser_MKH416_P48U3_MKH_416_Short_Shotgun.html
[^2]: Springtree Media, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.springtree.net/product/mkh-416-p48u3/
[^3]: Music Store Professional, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.musicstore.com/en_US/USD/Sennheiser-MKH-416-P48U3-/art-REC0000296-000
[^4]: Thomann, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.thomannmusic.com/dpa_2017_shotgun_microphone.htm
[^5]: Broadcasters General Store, accessed 2026-09-13. https://bgs.cc/dpa-2017-shotgun-microphone/
[^6]: B&H Photo Video, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/563798-REG/Rode_NTG_3_NTG_3_Precision_RF_Biased_Shotgun.html
[^7]: Guitar Center, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.guitarcenter.com/RODE/NTG3-Shotgun-Condenser-Microphone-1274115056221.gc
[^8]: Ametron, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.ametron.com/rode%20ntg3
[^9]: Thomann, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.thomannmusic.com/schoeps_minicmit.htm
[^10]: Trew Audio, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.trewaudio.com/product/schoeps-minicmit/
[^11]: Music Store Professional, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.musicstore.com/en_US/USD/Schoeps-Mini-CMIT/art-REC0012819-000
[^12]: Thomann, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.thomannmusic.com/neumann_kmr_81_i.htm
[^13]: B&H Photo Video, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/210686-REG/Neumann_KMR_81_I_MT_KMR81IMT_Shotgun_Microphone.html
[^14]: Star's Music, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.stars-music.com/neumann-kmr-81-i-mt-microphone-studio-electrostatique_56576.html