RØDE Wireless Micro Camera Kit | Image: RØDE

REVIEW: RØDE’s Wireless Micro Camera Kit Punches Well Above its Weight

Nick Hall
By Nick Hall - News

Published:

Readtime: 8 min

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  • Audio technology company RØDE has announced the Wireless Micro Camera Kit, the latest addition to its acclaimed wireless microphone range.
  • The small-scale product is designed for portable premium audio capture and is targeted at the creator community.
  • The new microphone system features two transmitters with built-in microphones, a smartphone receiver, and an on-camera receiver with a 1.1-inch AMOLED screen.
  • The RØDE Wireless Micro Camera Kit is priced at AUD$240 and is available for pre-order now. The first shipments are expected to arrive by December 5.

For content creators and casual filmmakers, the past few years have been a blessing and a curse. With Apple leaning further into premium video production through its ProRes codecs, Nikon rediscovering its form with the ZR and Sony democratising premium format image capture, it’s never been easier to produce cinema-like video. However, as all filmmakers will tell you, great colours and images mean nothing without exemplary audio, and that’s where progress has stalled.

Despite the significant improvements in video technology in recent times, portable microphone products have remained largely unchanged. For casual enthusiasts, this has largely meant either forking out hundreds for top-tier equipment or dealing with sub-par sound, but Aussie business RØDE is attempting to fix all that. The brand has just announced the Wireless Micro Camera Kit, a compact microphone system designed for capturing premium audio on the go, targeting the creator community.

RØDE Wireless Micro Camera Kit | Image: RØDE
RØDE Wireless Micro Camera Kit | Image: RØDE

RØDE Wireless Micro Camera Kit

The latest venture is essentially an upgraded take on the award-winning Wireless Micro, RØDE’s smallest content creation-focused product offering. This time around, the company has improved the slimline design, while also expanding the capabilities to include second-generation universal camera connectivity. With this, it’s clear that RØDE is targeting the casual creator market, and it’s a valid move.

A 2024 study by Morning Consult found that 57% of Gen Zs in America would like to be a social-media influencer, while 53% described it as a “reputable career choice”. With more creators streaming than ever before and access to high-quality production gear steadily improving, that figure is expected to rise.

As a new media journalist and casual content creator myself, I fall squarely within the target market for RØDE’s new Wireless Micro Camera Kit, and I must say, the brand has done a remarkable job. I’ve previously used RØDE’s Wireless Pro models for more critical shoots and productions, and I’ve always been impressed by the audio quality and connectivity. My only gripe would be the size of the microphones themselves, which aren’t large by any means, but they don’t slide into my camera bag quite as easily as I would like. The Wireless Micro Camera Kit, as its name suggests, is smaller, sleeker, and, to me, the perfect size for portability.

But no one buys microphones for the form factor.

RØDE Wireless Micro Camera Kit | Image: RØDE
RØDE Wireless Micro Camera Kit | Image: RØDE

Features

  • Compact wireless microphone with universal compatibility for cameras.
  • In-built microphones and automatic pairing.
  • GainAssist technology for perfectly balanced audio.
  • 1.1” AMOLED screen on camera receiver.
  • Included USB-C Smartphone Receiver for ultimate flexibility.

Featuring two ultra-compact transmitters with in-built microphones, an included smartphone receiver, and a sleek on-camera receiver with a 1.1-inch AMOLED screen, the Wireless Micro Camera Kit has a lot to offer. RØDE has wisely focused on versatility and ease of use with this combination, meaning you can effortlessly set up the microphones whether you are shooting on a DSLR, mirrorless camera, or smartphone.

I tested these on both my Sony A6700 in a live-streamed podcast setting and also on my iPhone 17, both outside and in a cramped indoor space. In all cases, the microphones deliver crisp, clear audio that far exceeded my expectations. In the live-stream setting, the receiver was able to clearly pick up the differences in voice between the host and me, reducing feedback and balancing the sound effectively.

RØDE Wireless Micro Camera Kit | Image: RØDE
RØDE Wireless Micro Camera Kit | Image: RØDE

Set-Up

My favourite element of the new Wireless Micro Camera Kit is undoubtedly the fast pairing. Using Bluetooth for connectivity can sometimes be a pain, but I was shocked by how effective the automatic pairing is on this new system. Each transmitter features a high-quality built-in microphone, so as soon as you pick up the transmitter, it turns on and pairs. It really is lightning fast and the most intuitive pairing system I’ve used on a wireless microphone kit.

Sound Performance

From a sound perspective, the audio is clear and crisp; however, it does have a low-pass approach that feels, at times, a little unnatural. Similar to using a noise gate on an electric instrument, the Wireless Micro Camera Kit microphones tend to cut all noise below a certain volume. While this is great for cleaning up audio and achieving optimal sound performance for dialogue, the lack of ambient noise can result in a slightly artificial-sounding outcome.

I’m sure there is a way to toggle this on and off, but for the purposes of interviews, podcasts and basic dialogue recording, it hasn’t been a significant issue. Additionally, I prefer a bit more contrast between the high frequencies and bass, purely from an EQ perspective. While this isn’t the standard for the Wireless Micro Camera Kit, I found the quality of the audio capture to be incredibly straightforward in post-production, which is a significant advantage.

Features-wise, the omnidirectional pickup pattern captures sound from every angle, while intelligent GainAssist technology automatically balances audio levels. There are also integrated clips and magnetic mounts to make placement easy, while both internal and external windshields minimise plosives and wind noise.

RØDE Wireless Micro Camera Kit | Image: RØDE
RØDE Wireless Micro Camera Kit | Image: RØDE

Connectivity

RØDE has noted that versatility was a huge focus for this release, and it’s not hard to see why. With numerous camera set-ups and content creation options available on the market, being able to plug and play across devices is essential. The RØDE Wireless Micro Camera Kit features universal camera connectivity, courtesy of the on-camera receiver’s 3.5mm TRS and USB-C outputs.

The dual-output systems ensure seamless integration with DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, and virtually any other device you can think of. Furthermore, the interchangeable receiver options, including a USB-C smartphone receiver, offer significant flexibility. Additionally, Direct Connect functionality enables iOS users to connect via Bluetooth using the free RØDE Capture app. I am also a big fan of the 1.1-inch AMOLED screen on the camera receiver, which looks premium and provides quick, confident control.

Battery Life

It’s no secret that the Wireless Micro Camera Kit is designed for creators on the go, so RØDE has put significant time and attention into improving the battery life. The compact charging case provides two full recharges for up to 21 hours of use. Additionally, RØDE has added plug-in power detection, meaning that the receiver automatically powers on when connected to a camera and powers off when disconnected.

Pricing and Availability

The RØDE Wireless Micro Camera Kit is priced at AUD$240 and is available for pre-order now. The first shipments are expected to arrive by December 5. Included in each box is two transmitters, one camera receiver, a USB-C receiver, a charging case, SC22 cable, SC2 cable, two furry windshields and two magnetic attachments.

RØDE Wireless Micro Camera Kit | Image: RØDE
RØDE Wireless Micro Camera Kit | Image: RØDE

Final Thoughts

As far as content creation accessories go, the RØDE Wireless Micro Camera Kit is a sleek, high-quality addition that seriously outperforms its affordable price tag. The sound quality doesn’t quite live up to its more professional-grade siblings, such as the Wireless Pro, but for AUD$240, you really can’t go wrong. For ease of use, simplified set-up and streamlined design, this might just be the best value portable microphone on the market. – ★★★★☆

RØDE Wireless Micro Camera Kit Technical Specifications

Acoustic & Electrical (Wireless Micro)

Polar Pattern:Omnidirectional
Frequency Range:20 Hz – 20 kHz
Maximum SPL:135 dB SPL
Equivalent Noise (A-Weighted):21 dBA
Signal-to-noise Ratio:73 dB
Transmission Range:Over 100m
Digital Connectivity:USB-C
Lightning
Sample Rate:48kHz
Bit Depth:24-bit
Operating System Requirements:iOS 14 and above (for Lightning and USB-C) Android 11 and above (for USB-C only)
Operating Time7 hours
Power RequirementsTX: In-built rechargeable lithium-ion battery, charged via Pogo-pin contacts to Charging Case (5V, 0.1A)
RX (USB-C): 5V/0.1A
RX (Lightning): 3.5V to 4.4V/0.1A
RX Camera Receiver: 5V/0.1A
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Electrical (Charging Case)

Battery Capacity:490 mAh
Power Requirements:5V/0.5A via USB-C
Charging Time:USB-C and Lightning: 3 hours
Camera Kit: 2 hours
Charge Current:0.5A
Total Charges:2 charges (extra 14 hours of operation)
Connection Type:USB-C
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Mechanical

Weight (grams):Charge Case: 61
TX: 12 (without magnet), 18 (with magnet)
RX: 6
Combined: 102
RX Camera Receiver: 19.3
Camera Kit Charge Case: 78.4
Dimensions (Transmitter, in millimetres):L: 40
W: 20
H: 17
Dimensions (Receiver, in millimetres):USB-C and Lightning:
L:44
W:24
H:9

Camera Receiver:
L: 44.65
W: 16.85
H: 27.85
Dimensions (Charging case, in millimetres):USB-C and Lightning:
L: 72
W: 58
H: 30

Camera Kit:
L:96.75
W: 57.6
H: 30.4
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Nick Hall

Editor-in-Chief

Nick Hall

Nick Hall is an award-winning journalist and the current Editor-in-Chief of Man of Many. With an extensive background in the media industry, he specialises in feature writing, lifestyle and entertainment content. Nick is a former Mumbrella Publish Awards ‘Editor of ...

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