Audio Recording Options

Here I evaluate my options for audio recording with my Canon Vixia HF G10 camcorder:

• built-in microphone
• Canon HF G10 with TAKSTAR SGC-598 microphone
• Sony PCM-M10 with
• its own built-in microphone
• Audio-Technica ATR-3350 lavalier microphone

My findings - in order of quality:

1. ATR-3350 lavalier mic into PCM-M10 sounds the best.  Level should be adjusted manually for best results.  On auto the level is way too low.  Looks like position of the microphone is the most important factor and outweighs its quality by far.
2. Naked PCM-M10 sounds good.  And it has low noise so you can bump the signal up in post easily.
3. TAKSTAR SGC-598 into Canon HF G10.  Camcorder should expect mic-level signal not line in.  For better results +10dB switch should be off and the level should be set manually - auto level is too high, just like with a built-in mic.
4. Finally built-in Canon HF G10 mic can not be beat as it is always there and offers a track to sync external audio to.

Overall there is no surprises, but knowledge of what specific settings should be is useful.