Pixiq

Nearly all cameras with video capabilities—whether a still camera with HD video or a camcorder—have a built-in microphone (also called a “mic” or “mike”). A built-in microphone can be helpful, but it will not give you the highest quality audio. You may also find that in some cases, a built-in microphone is actually a liability for good audio. Here are the problems with a built-in microphone:

Small and Cheap: While you will find some high-quality microphones on high-end camcorders, most built-in mics are not of the best quality. Manufacturers know that most people don’t buy a camcorder for the microphone; and in fact, most people probably don’t pay much attention to the microphone at all. So the manufacturers don’t put much effort into the built-in mic.

Nonselective: A built-in mic captures any sound around it. It cannot be pointed to a specific sound.

Too Far Away: Often, your subject is not close to the camera. That’s fine for a telephoto lens that can visually bring the subject closer, but unfortunately this means that a built-in microphone will pick up all the sounds around you, and between you and your subject.

Camera Body Noises: Since a built-in mic is a part of the camera, it records not only external sounds, but also sounds from within the camera itself. This means that as you handle the camera, you will hear sounds made by your hands, as well as miscellaneous noises such as the lens focusing. The latter is especially true with D-SLRs. Camera manufacturers never needed to make quiet lenses for still photos.

When those same lenses are used with video, noises such as focusing or zooming changes are often transmitted to the built-in mic.