Sony ECM-W2BT Wireless Microphone Announced

Sony has announced a new wireless microphone and lavalier microphone designed specifically for use with its cameras that include a Digital Audio Interface built into the Multi-Interface-Shoe.

If you camera doesn’t include a Digital Audio Interface (only the latest models do) there’s also an analogue mode available.

A full list of which camera are supported using the digital interface will be available here shortly, but I expect it to support the same cameras that the ECM-B1M shotgun microphone supports.

Here’s a list of cameras that include a Digital Audio Interface supported by the ECM-B1M:

• Sony a1
• Sony a7S III
• Sony a7R IV
• Sony a9II
• Sony a7C

Thanks to the Digital Audio Interface the ECM-W2BT receiver will be able to transmit audio from the microphone directly through the MI Shoe without the need for external cables.

The microphone features a new ‘advanced omni-directional mic capsule.’ Which Sony says can transmit high-quality audio at distances up to 200m (656ft) when working in a clear environment with minimal interference thanks to the use of Qualcomm’s aptX Low Latency codec.

The ECM-W2BT features three different pickup modes, a MIC mode, MIX mode and a new RCVR mode. When using MIC mode you can only record audio from the microphone transmitter. MIX mode will pick up audio from both the transmitter and receiver. The RCVR mode will only pick up the audio from the receiver unit attached to the Digital Multi Interface shoe.

A LINK lamp feature notifies the user of the communication status between the microphone and the receiver, and a POWER lamp helps the user to easily check the remaining battery charge. When longer operation is needed, the battery assist function via the power supply from the camera’s Multi Interface shoe enables the user to operate the receiver for up to 9 hours.

The ECM-W2BT also supports stereo audio input via the onboard 3.5mm port, and thoughtfully Sony has also announced the ECM-LV1 lavalier microphone alongside the ECM-W2BT. This features an omni-directional mic capsule, a 360-degree rotatable clip and an included windscreen. It attaches to a the ECM-W2BT and is powered via the 3.5mm port.

Further details can be found on the Sony’s ECM-W2BT product page here.

Both the ECM-W2BT wireless microphone and ECM-LV1 lavalier microphone will be available in April 2021 with an expected retail price of $230.00 / £210.00 / €240.00 and $30.00 / £32.00 / €35.00 , respectively.