Sony ECM-W5 Wireless Mic Adds In-Camera 32-Bit Float Recording for $399.99

The in-camera 32-bit float recording is designed to preserve extra headroom if a sudden loud noise clips audio. Rival systems can record 32-bit float files to transmitters' internal storage, but that requires syncing separate audio during editing, TechRadar said. The ECM-W5's approach is most useful for unpredictable shooting environments, the review added. The receiver connects via Multi Interface Shoe, USB-C or 3.5mm jack, and the system supports Bluetooth.

For professional users, each transmitter has a 3.5mm lavalier microphone input with a screw-lock connector, a feature TechRadar said DJI dropped after the Mic 2. The transmitters also offer 62.5GB of usable internal storage, timecode support and an optional 96kHz/24-bit Hi-Res Audio mode. Sony claims a range of up to 500m. In TechRadar's testing, the signal held up through two floors of a house, a situation where other microphones had faltered, the review said.

TechRadar described sound quality as clean and clear, though it noted that this is true of every decent wireless microphone now. The noise reduction is gentler and less effective than that of DJI and Insta360 systems, but it did not introduce odd artifacts, according to the review. The ECM-W5's transmitters measure 31 x 47 x 22.3mm and weigh 27.1g; the receiver measures 53.5 x 17.8 x 37.5mm and weighs 35g. Battery life is rated at up to seven hours for each transmitter and the receiver, or up to 11 hours with a fully charged case.

Design trade-offs include transmitters that are noticeably bulkier than those of the DJI Mic 3, the review said. Each transmitter has a fixed clip that cannot be removed or rotated, and Sony includes small button magnets for thinner shirts. The system is described as dust- and moisture-resistant, but Sony does not guarantee full IP-level protection. When mounted on a camera, the receiver's touchscreen faces backwards. Sony does not include a 3.5mm audio cable in the box, and the charging case has no room for windshields.

The full ECM-W5 kit costs more than its closest rivals, according to TechRadar. DJI's Mic 3 launched at £259 for an equivalent two-transmitter kit, meaning the Sony carries a premium of about £90 in the UK. Individual ECM-W5 transmitters cost $189.99 / £110 / AU$179, while the receiver alone costs $189.99 / £180 / AU$289. TechRadar said the higher price is justifiable for the right buyer because of the ECM-W5's unique features, but it remains a premium over competing systems from DJI, Insta360 and Rode.