Sennheiser MKE 400 Compact Video Camera Shotgun Microphone

  • Price: $199.95
  • B&H # SEMKE400
  • Mfr# MKE400

Product Highlights

  • Coiled 1/8" (3.5mm) Mini TRS Connector
  • Integrated Shock Mount
  • All Metal Construction
  • Single AAA Battery Powered

This item can only be shipped to a US address.

Protect Your Purchase

 

What item is right for you?

Ask our Experts!

800.606.6969
Live Chat

Remember the Essentials

Batteries are not included. Keep plenty of batteries handy so you won't get caught without power.

The Sennheiser MKE 400 Compact Shotgun Microphone is a professional audio solution for handheld consumer video cameras and larger video cameras alike. The integrated shockmount conveniently mounts the MKE 400 onto any camera accessory shoe while effectively suppressing handling and vibration noise.

Switchable sensitivity aids in capturing long and short distances, resulting in pristine detailed audio and low noise. Additional features include all metal construction and up to 300 hours of operation on a single AAA alkaline battery. The MKE 400 offers a simple solution to achieving high quality audio and is well suited for consumer and professional video applications.

Switchable Sensitivity
The MKE 400 features switchable sensitivity for optimum results when capturing long and short distances.
Integrated Shockmount
Easily mounted onto any accessory shoe, the integrated shockmount effectively suppresses handling and vibration noise.
Efficient Battery Operation
The MKE 400 is powered up to 300 hours on a single AAA alkaline battery.
Durable All Metal Construction
The all metal construction provides a durable, rugged frame for rigorous professional and consumer operation.
Transducer Electret Condenser
Polar Pattern Supercardioid / Lobar
Frequency Response 40Hz to 20kHz
80Hz to 20kHz with windscreen
Dynamic Range (Typical) Not Specified By Manufacturer
Signal-to-Noise Ratio Not Specified By Manufacturer
Maximum Input Sound Level 126dB vol. in - position
118dB vol. in + position
Power Requirements 1.5V AAA Battery (300 hours)
Output Impedance Not Specified By Manufacturer
Output Connectors 1/8" (3.5mm) TRS Mini Plug
Pad None
Low Frequency Roll-Off None
Dimensions 5.12 x 0.82 x 2.44" (130 x 21 x 62mm) (LxDxH)
Weight 2.1 oz (60 g)

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Sennheiser MKE 400 Compact Video Camera Shotgun Microphone
 
4.3

(based on 123 reviews)

Ratings Distribution

  • 5 Stars

     

    (57)

  • 4 Stars

     

    (49)

  • 3 Stars

     

    (12)

  • 2 Stars

     

    (2)

  • 1 Stars

     

    (3)

93%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Lightweight (109)
  • Great sound quality (72)
  • Easy to use (60)
  • Simple use (51)
  • Durable (46)

Cons

  • Flimsy (9)
  • Noisy (7)

Best Uses

  • Professional (40)
  • Productivity (27)
  • Presentations (23)
  • Shooting indoors (19)
  • Shooting outdoors (16)
    • How long have you owned it:
    • A month or less

       

      One-to-three months

       

      60% 

      (3 reviews)

      Three-to-six months

       

      More than six months

       
    • Reviewer Profile:
    • Tech savvy (65), Gearhead (23), Technically challenged (9), Aspiring film maker (6), Film professional (6)
    • Primary use:
    • Business (60), Personal (39)

Most Liked Positive Review

 

a new standard for DV + documentary

the first thing you notice when you pull it out of the box (well packed, by the way) is the size. I thought, there's no way i'll get usable audio out of it...Read complete review

the first thing you notice when you pull it out of the box (well packed, by the way) is the size. I thought, there's no way i'll get usable audio out of it but i have several years of experience with the me66 and know sennheisers usually find a way. i contract locally and professionally, and because of my work i prefer pro quality even at family gatherings and miniDV documentary style shoots.

lets get to the + and -

+sound quality is great- rejects any camera noise that my other mics pic up, including the self mic
+so small...light but still sturdy. i tried the rode and nearly got carpal. now one of my arms is bigger than the other.
+made in EUROPE, german engineering
+cable is high quality, boot is secure
+warranty rocks
+the sound again, is so much better-- i really didn't think it would make that big of a difference until i finally upgraded away from the built in mic. the other brands were still an upgrade, but this was a true upgrade to quality and PROFESSIONAL results

- i would have liked a hardshell case

i would buy again if stolen and i don't do a shoot without it

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

 

Maybe a better choice for the 5D Mark II

If you're thinking of getting this mic because you think it's better than the built in mic on the 5D Mark II, you might want to think again. It won't pick up focusing and ...Read complete review

If you're thinking of getting this mic because you think it's better than the built in mic on the 5D Mark II, you might want to think again. It won't pick up focusing and IS noises as much as the built in mic does, but the quality isn't as great as I'd hoped from the other comments. Here is a comparison of the built in mic, this Sennheiser, and the Rode stereo videomic[@]

REVIEWS

Reviewed by 123 customers

Sort by

Displaying reviews 1-20

Back to top

Previous | Next »

 
1.0

Poor product

By Paxton

from Albuquerque

Verified Buyer

Pros

  • Easy To Use
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Noisy

Best Uses

    Comments about Sennheiser MKE 400 Compact Video Camera Shotgun Microphone:

    I bought a nikon 1v1 and thought a small shotgun would add to the quality. I did a test using just the camera then the mic on both settings. I turned on the tv in a room behind the camera on a level the would sound as if it were people talking at low volume. I then stood in front of the camera about 10 feet away and did a basic mic test. After loading into my final cut pro I discovered the nikon mic was as good or better. Good for the nikon, bad for this product.

    • Primary use:
    • Business

    Share this review

    (0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

     
    2.0

    Noise with Canon DSLR

    By TC in NYC

    from New York

    About Me Tech Savvy

    Pros

    • Easy To Use
    • Lightweight

    Cons

    • Noisy

    Best Uses

      Comments about Sennheiser MKE 400 Compact Video Camera Shotgun Microphone:

      Unavoidable white noise when used mounted on Canon T2i. Noise not present when using internal mic. Sound quality richer than internal mic, but the noise is not acceptable. Some suggest that turning off Image Stabilizer on lens is a solution, but did not work for me. Might be ok for loud environments. Comes with battery and regular windscreen. Super easy to use, plug and play, basically. Too bad. Expected more.

      Share this review

       
      5.0

      SIZE,PRICE,QUALITY+++

      By timeport4

      from vermont

      About Me Technically Challenged, Tech Savvy

      Verified Buyer

      Pros

      • Easy To Use
      • Great Sound Quality
      • Lightweight

      Cons

        Best Uses

        • Professional

        Comments about Sennheiser MKE 400 Compact Video Camera Shotgun Microphone:

        GREAT LITLE MIKE,QUALITY AND SIZE

        • Primary use:
        • Business

        Share this review

         
        1.0

        Leaves much to be desired.

        By Ralph

        from Capitol Heights, MD

        About Me Tech Savvy

        Verified Buyer

        Pros

        • Easy To Use
        • Lightweight

        Cons

        • Noisy

        Best Uses

          Comments about Sennheiser MKE 400 Compact Video Camera Shotgun Microphone:

          I used the MKE 400 on my Canon 7D and found it lacking. The 7D on board mike was better on every test. I tried the 400 in a quiet office in an interview situation and outside capturing distant voices and general street sounds using all options. I did not expect this mike to be as good as my other more expensive mikes, but it must be better than the camera mike, if it is to be of use. The size of the 400 was good and the construction was reasonably good. I will be returning this product.

          • Primary use:
          • Personal

          Share this review

           
          5.0

          So convenient!

          By Alequito

          from Chicago IL

          Verified Buyer

          Pros

          • Durable
          • Easy To Use
          • Great Sound Quality
          • Lightweight
          • Long Lasting

          Cons

            Best Uses

              Comments about Sennheiser MKE 400 Compact Video Camera Shotgun Microphone:

              This mic is TINY!!! It is not even 1/4th the size of my RODE VideoMic.

              Plus, not picking up a lot of wiggle noises from the shock mount means more RUN AND GUN filmmaking.

              It runs on one tiny little AAA battery.

              Love it!!!

              • Primary use:
              • Business

              Share this review

               
              5.0

              Well worth the price

              By nlubsen

              from half moon bay

              About Me Gearhead

              Verified Buyer

              Pros

              • Durable
              • Great Sound Quality
              • Long Lasting

              Cons

              • Flimsy

              Best Uses

                Comments about Sennheiser MKE 400 Compact Video Camera Shotgun Microphone:

                Unless you are spending around $2000 dollars on a camcorder, you are likely to be getting a surface mounted camera mike that gets all sorts of extraneous noise that is not coming from your picture subject. if your camcorder has a stereo mini microphone jack, This microphone really changes the sound quality of your recording and is well worth the price

                Pros: Small footprint compared to the Rode camera mikes; this is especially important if you are using wide-angle lenses or want to film without calling attention to yourself. Long battery life. Good sound. Functional shock absorber.

                Cons: Hard to tell if it's on. Foam windscreen easily pulls off the conical shaped mike and is not easy to replace thru Sennheiser or anywhere else if lost. Umbillical cord is in the way on cameras with a small distance between the accessory shoe and the mike jack.

                Overall this is a great purchase for b-roll cameras or home video cameras where the sound is awful using the built in mike.

                • Primary use:
                • Business

                Share this review

                (1 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

                 
                3.0

                Good and small MIC.

                By GerWol

                from Salzburg

                About Me Tech Savvy

                Verified Buyer

                Pros

                • Easy To Use
                • Lightweight
                • Long Lasting

                Cons

                • Noisy

                Best Uses

                  Comments about Sennheiser MKE 400 Compact Video Camera Shotgun Microphone:

                  Good and small MIC.

                  • Primary use:
                  • Personal

                  Share this review

                  (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                   
                  5.0

                  Big Audio in a Small Package

                  By Jeepwalker

                  from WI - USA

                  About Me Tech Savvy

                  Pros

                  • Durable
                  • Easy To Use
                  • Great Sound Quality
                  • Lightweight
                  • Long Lasting

                  Cons

                    Best Uses

                      Comments about Sennheiser MKE 400 Compact Video Camera Shotgun Microphone:

                      I've owned this mic about 2 years and put it atop my small Canon HV30 HD cam for use as a go-anywhere b-roll cam. It may seem expensive to newcomers for such a small mic, but the audio is very good and clean. I believe it is a good value. They've used these little mics on small cams for a few broadcast reality shows, according to a guy I know who works for an internet audio store. Audio from this mic is crisp and clean. The mic itself is well-built, not a flimsy piece of plastic. It picks up distant audio well enough and does a good job rejecting off-axis sounds. Not as good as a $500 12" shotgun, mind you, but perfectly acceptable for on-cam audio in tight situations and significantly better than any on-cam built-in mic.

                      Size and durability wise, the web images of this mic make it appear larger than it is. They should put a dollar bill next to it (it would be about 3/5ths of a dollar's length). I use a fury which does a good job cutting stong wind noise. From a durability standpoint, I've carried this thing in remote locations in China and other places, mic always stays on the cam. In and out of a backpack with other items. It's held up well. I think the shock mount is an intelligent compromize between isolating a cam's vibrations and motor noise while keeping the overall package compact. Based upon my experience, one would have to be abusive to rip the shock mount. That being said, it probably wouldn't take much abuse if one was inclined to do so, it's not built to pick your cam up with, or twist around. But the same could be said for my larger Sony's on-cam mic holder too. The battery seems to last forever.

                      Overall, if you want to improve your on-cam audio this is a quality little mic that produces audio far greater than it's tiny size would seem.

                      • Primary use:
                      • Personal

                      Share this review

                       
                      5.0

                      Great

                      By vanpop

                      from East Lansing, MI

                      Verified Buyer

                      Pros

                      • Durable
                      • Easy To Use
                      • Great Sound Quality
                      • Lightweight
                      • Long Lasting

                      Cons

                        Best Uses

                        • Presentations
                        • Productivity
                        • Professional

                        Comments about Sennheiser MKE 400 Compact Video Camera Shotgun Microphone:

                        Nice compact size. Can be mounted on most cameras. Clear sound.

                        • Primary use:
                        • Personal

                        Share this review

                         
                        5.0

                        Good mike for price

                        By MD Looker

                        from Shanghai China

                        About Me Technically Challenged

                        Verified Buyer

                        Pros

                        • Durable
                        • Easy To Use
                        • Lightweight

                        Cons

                          Best Uses

                            Comments about Sennheiser MKE 400 Compact Video Camera Shotgun Microphone:

                            This an very small and high quality mike built in Germany. Sound is good for on camera uses. Good for casual use but should not be used in pro applications. You will need a off camera shotgun microphone.

                            • Primary use:
                            • Personal

                            Share this review

                             
                            5.0

                            Great audio for R&G, B Roll, reference

                            By Nate

                            from Ventura, CA

                            Verified Buyer

                            Pros

                            • Easy To Use
                            • Great Sound Quality
                            • Lightweight

                            Cons

                              Best Uses

                              • Productivity
                              • Professional

                              Comments about Sennheiser MKE 400 Compact Video Camera Shotgun Microphone:

                              Great little mic for run and gun audio solutions, b roll footage, and solid reference audio for later sync with external audio from a zoom, etc. Get the optional dead cat windscreen and you won't regret!

                              • Primary use:
                              • Business

                              Share this review

                               
                              4.0

                              pricey but good quality

                              By mm

                              from houston, TX

                              About Me Tech Savvy

                              Verified Buyer

                              Pros

                              • Easy To Use
                              • Great Sound Quality
                              • Lightweight

                              Cons

                                Best Uses

                                  Comments about Sennheiser MKE 400 Compact Video Camera Shotgun Microphone:

                                  I bought it for my Canon 5D MKII and used it for over 2 months. Day and night compared to the built in mic. All the camera noises from built in mic went away, sound quality is very good. My only reservation is the price. It might be too pricey for lower end cameras, but it is great for my 5D MKII. Will never record another video without it

                                  • Primary use:
                                  • Personal

                                  Share this review

                                   
                                  5.0

                                  Sennheiser a consistent performer

                                  By amhallphoto

                                  from Saginaw, MI

                                  About Me Tech Savvy

                                  Verified Buyer

                                  Pros

                                  • Big performance
                                  • Great Sound Quality
                                  • Lightweight
                                  • Small size
                                  • Wind cut filter

                                  Cons

                                  • Shock mount seems flimsy

                                  Best Uses

                                    Comments about Sennheiser MKE 400 Compact Video Camera Shotgun Microphone:

                                    I used Sennheiser mics many years ago with great success, and I am very pleased with this current version of a top quality, short shotgun.

                                    • Primary use:
                                    • Personal

                                    Share this review

                                     
                                    4.0

                                    Great on-camera mic for DSLR video

                                    By Dave

                                    from NY

                                    About Me Pro videographer

                                    Verified Buyer

                                    Pros

                                    • Great Sound Quality
                                    • Lightweight

                                    Cons

                                    • No power light

                                    Best Uses

                                    • DSLR Video
                                    • Professional

                                    Comments about Sennheiser MKE 400 Compact Video Camera Shotgun Microphone:

                                    For good on-the-fly sound for your dslr, this is really the way to go. This helps get WAY better sound than just the built in microphone. Even when working with a complete crew, my sound mixers usually ask me to use this on-camera just in case.

                                    • Primary use:
                                    • Business

                                    Share this review

                                    (0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                                     
                                    5.0

                                    Surprisingly Awesome

                                    By PabloClippings

                                    from Birmingham, AL

                                    About Me Tech Savvy

                                    Verified Buyer

                                    Pros

                                    • Durable
                                    • Easy To Use
                                    • Great Sound Quality
                                    • Lightweight

                                    Cons

                                      Best Uses

                                      • Professional

                                      Comments about Sennheiser MKE 400 Compact Video Camera Shotgun Microphone:

                                      I was surprised at how good this mic sounded. Purchased specifically for Canon 5d, I was expecting serviceable reference track audio. I was thrilled that the mic gives nice clean audio. It's by no means on par with a [$] shotgun mic but it gets the job done and has become my audio solution for smaller shoots.

                                      • Primary use:
                                      • Business

                                      Share this review

                                       
                                      4.0

                                      Its not the size of the boat....

                                      By Combat Camera

                                      from Afghanistan

                                      About Me Tech Savvy

                                      Pros

                                      • Compact
                                      • Easy To Use

                                      Cons

                                      • Flimsy shockmount

                                      Best Uses

                                        Comments about Sennheiser MKE 400 Compact Video Camera Shotgun Microphone:

                                        Im not going to sit here and write an entire review on this mic, theyre all over the net. Ill just hit on a few items that caught me off guard when we received our shipment of MKE400's. First we are using these mics in extreme conditions, hence the need for compact stereo mics. Anyways.... the overall size was a lot smaller than I imagined. Even after reading reviews, specs, and looking at a ton of photos... the mic still surprised me with its compact size. The second thing that I immediately noticed was the flimsy shockmount used to dampen sounds coming from the camera. With one day on my camera the mount was ripped and mic out of commission. Like I said though, we put these camera systems through the ringer on a daily basis.

                                        Overall great compact mic with an amazing boost in audio quality over the internal mic. Great for crisp clear ambient sound and much nicer than having to run a designated audio recorder and mics.

                                        Buy it.... you'll love it!

                                        • Primary use:
                                        • Business

                                        Share this review

                                        (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

                                         
                                        3.0

                                        Okay sound but flimsy construction

                                        By Luis

                                        from Toronto, Ontario

                                        About Me Gearhead, Tech Savvy

                                        Verified Reviewer

                                        Pros

                                        • Easy To Use
                                        • Lightweight

                                        Cons

                                        • Flimsy
                                        • Unreliable

                                        Best Uses

                                        • Presentations
                                        • Professional

                                        Comments about Sennheiser MKE 400 Compact Video Camera Shotgun Microphone:

                                        I bought this mic about a year ago and my first impression was that it was a great improvement from the internal mic on my 5D MKII. I use my 5D to mostly shoot weddings and what I can tell you is that this mic is not made for run and gun type of shoots. After using it on about 4 or 5 weddings a small piece of plastic broke off that helps keep the rubber shock absorbers in place, leaving the mic flopping about a little. I managed to order a new part from Sennheizer but since then I've had situations where I don't get any audio at all or intermitten audio with static. I'm not sure what's broken on it now but it's defintely not made to last.

                                        • Primary use:
                                        • Business

                                        Share this review

                                         
                                        5.0

                                        Great Mic

                                        By V

                                        from New Jersey

                                        About Me Gearhead

                                        Verified Buyer

                                        Pros

                                        • Durable
                                        • Easy To Use
                                        • Lightweight

                                        Cons

                                          Best Uses

                                          • Presentations

                                          Comments about Sennheiser MKE 400 Compact Video Camera Shotgun Microphone:

                                          I use this mic for when i film bands playing live shows. Its metal construction is nice to have because it gives me peace of mind when its getting thrown around. Overall this mic is outstanding for price and perfect for its uses. I have yet to find any Cons with this mic.

                                          • Primary use:
                                          • Personal

                                          Share this review

                                           
                                          5.0

                                          Awesome

                                          By REJJ

                                          from Pembroke Pines, FL

                                          About Me Tech Savvy

                                          Verified Buyer

                                          Pros

                                          • Durable
                                          • Easy To Use
                                          • Great Sound Quality
                                          • Lightweight
                                          • Long Lasting

                                          Cons

                                          • Smaller than expected

                                          Best Uses

                                          • Productivity
                                          • Professional

                                          Comments about Sennheiser MKE 400 Compact Video Camera Shotgun Microphone:

                                          Well Constructed, but smaller than expected.

                                          • Primary use:
                                          • Business

                                          Share this review

                                           
                                          4.0

                                          Good DSLR Microphone

                                          By gk16blman

                                          from Lincoln, NE

                                          About Me Gearhead, Professional

                                          Verified Buyer

                                          Pros

                                          • Durable
                                          • Easy To Use
                                          • Great Sound Quality
                                          • Lightweight
                                          • Nice small compact size

                                          Cons

                                          • Needs subminiture adapter

                                          Best Uses

                                          • Camcorder on camera mic
                                          • DSLR on camera mic
                                          • Presentations
                                          • Professional

                                          Comments about Sennheiser MKE 400 Compact Video Camera Shotgun Microphone:

                                          Good microphone. I especially like its small size to be used on DSLR cameras. The angled plug is appreciated, but I wish it came with an adapter to convert hte end into the tiny stereo plug used on cameras like the Panasonic GH2.
                                          Its nice to have a high-pass (wind bass) roll-off filter built in and for those people familiar with Sennheiser mics will be comfortablew in the operation of this one. Things such as the battery check and the tonal frequency will remind you of the K-6 series. Price may seem a little high, but as always, you get what you pay for, and rest assured, you get very good Sennhsiser audio quality. Buy a Rycote fuzzy windshield for much better outside pewrformance.

                                          • Primary use:
                                          • Business

                                          Share this review

                                          Displaying reviews 1-20

                                          Back to top

                                          Previous | Next »

                                          Batteries & Power

                                          Required item:

                                          Duracell -  AAA 1.5v Alkaline Coppertop Battery 1.5V (2-Pack)
                                          • Price: $2.49
                                           
                                          Pearstone -  NM-4H23 4 AA NiMH Batteries (2300mAh) with 4 Hour Charger (110-240V)
                                          • Price: $13.99
                                           

                                          Wind Protection

                                          Sennheiser -  Foam Windscreen for the MKE400 Shotgun Microphone
                                          • Price: $9.95
                                           

                                          Boompoles

                                          K-Tek -  KE-69 Avalon Series Aluminum Boompole (Uncabled)
                                          • Price: $121.50
                                           

                                          Stands & Support

                                          Pearstone -  Universal Microphone Hand Grip
                                          • Price: $34.95
                                           

                                          Mounting

                                          Pearstone -  Accessory Shoe Adapter with 1/4"-20 Socket Connection
                                          • Price: $19.95
                                           
                                          View all Accessories

                                          What's in the Box

                                          Sennheiser MKE 400 Compact Video Camera Shotgun Microphone
                                          • MKE 400 with 1/8" (3.5mm) TRS Mini Cable and Shockmount
                                          • AAA Alkaline Battery
                                          • Windscreen
                                          • 2 Year Warranty
                                           
                                           
                                          See any errors on this page? Let us know.

                                          Close

                                          Close