Nikon D810 Mic Input Jack? Microphone Options Explained

The Nikon D810 can record audio through the built-in microphone or with an external microphone via the 3.5mm mic jack.

In most cases the bulit-in mic is going to struggle to get good audio.

To get the best audio quality from the D810, it’s important to choose the right type of microphone for your use case.

A shotgun microphone, wireless lav, or external recorder will improve the audio quality over the built-in mic.

• Lavalier - Great for recording a person talking.
• Shotgun - Records what it’s pointed at.
• Dynamic or Condenser - For podcasting, singing, and voice-overs.

Audio tracks from an external recorder can be synced within 3 clicks in any video editor.

Audacity (AudacityTeam.org) is a free audio editing application that is good for post-processing audio. It can normalize audio volume, reduce background noise, add a compressor, and more for that professional polish.

There are many lenses for the Nikon D810 that are great for video.

Does the Nikon D810 record audio?

Yes, the Nikon D810 records audio with a built-in mono microphone.

The quality of the built-in mic will be similar to a speaker phone. Wind gusts, echos, and other noises will be picked up.

Using any type of external microphone will improve the audio quality.

Can the Nikon D810 use an external mic?

Yes, a wireless receiver or microphone with a 3.5mm jack can be used with the Nikon D810.

A shotgun mic or wired lavaliere can be plugged into the D810.

Wireless microphones, like the DJI Mic 3 or Rode Wireless Micro will work.

Can a XLR microphone be used?

No, there is no way to use an XLR microphone directly with the Nikon D810.

An external recorder like a Zoom H1n or Tascam DR-40X can be used to record audio. Then the audio can be synced during post production.

Does the Nikon D810 have a speaker?

Yes, the Nikon D810 has a mono speaker. It can be used to listen to audio during playback of a video.

Video can quickly use of storage space, but there are cheap compatible SD cards for the Nikon D810 available.

Can headphones be used with the Nikon D810?

Yes, the Nikon D810 has a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Headphones can be used to monitor the audio while recording. There won’t be any surprise noises or connection problems that show up after everything has been recorded.

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Nikon ME-1 Stereo Microphone

• Official Nikon Product
• Windscreen included
• Cable stop to prevent noise

The Nikon ME-1 is a stereo microphone that will reduce autofocus noise from the D810.

It will work on any camera with a 3.5mm jack that can supply power. The ME-1 does not use batteries.

It has been discontinued and is no longer supported by Nikon. Lightly used copies sell for half the price of new old stock.

Lavalier Microphones for Presentation & Slow Movement

Lav mics are designed to isolate the voice of a speaker.

They are small, light weight, and can be wireless.

Zoom F2-BT

• Uses AAA batteries
• USB-C
• MicroSD card
• Bluetooth

The Zoom F2-BT is good enough that I haven’t replaced mine yet.

My favorite feature is that it takes two AAA batteries. There is no built-in battery that will eventually fail.

A wireless setup would be nice because it would remove the need to sync the audio during editing.

DJI Mic Mini

• Noise cancelling
• Ultralight
• 48hr battery life

The DJI Mic Mini is an entry level wireless lav mic.

They are impressively small and portable. My only concern is that built-in batteries will eventually go bad.

Rode Wireless GO II

• Can be used with a lavaliere or headset microphone
• Transmitter and receiver weigh 31g
• Up to 70m range
• 7 hours of battery life

Shotgun Mics for Recording on the D810

A shotgun mic picks up sounds in front of it, while blocking noises from the sides. It helps you hear one voice or sound clearly.

Shotgun microphones are excellent for film, TV, and outdoor recording.

TAKSTAR SGC-598 Shotgun Microphone

• Condenser microphone designed for DSLR cameras.
• Cardioid design can reduces ambient noise.
• Selectable +10dB sensitivity tone up and 200Hz bass filter.
• Shock proof design to reduce noise
• Requires 1x AA battery

The Takstar SGC-598 is a cheap shotgun mic for the Nikon D810.

It will be an improvement over the built in mic.

Rode VideoMic GO

• High quality directional mic.
• Does not require a battery.
• Windshield included.
• Connects via a 3.5mm mini-jack.

The Rode VideoMic Go has been a popular microphone for a long time.

It’s easy to find a deal on a used microphone that has barely been used.