I have the same camera. I purchased both the ECM HW1 and the pearstone adapter. I really like the quality and ease of use for the HW1. I normally hide the microphone just out of sight and it works fine for one or two people. I use the Pearstone adapter if I want to use a lav mic or if I want to use a small field mixer and bring the mono signal into the camera, it works very well. I use a Samson mixpad4 with phantom power. I can run two phantom powered condenser mics, a pair of lav mics and a background audio in all at the same time, listen to the audio through the headphone jack, and bring all of the signals into the camera synced with the video. It works very nice.
There are "similar" posts on this, but I would really appreciate help before I make the purchase(s) needed for my project.
I have a Sony HC96. I make an annual movie for work, which involves filming conversations of people 3-5 feet from where I am, as well as "interview" style of one person.
Last year, I purchased a Sony ECM-HST1 Microphone, hoping it would improve my audio quality. The shoe did not fit the ai hot shoe on the top of my video camera well, so I did not know if it didn't work, or if it just wasn't what I was looking for. I did not notice any discernable quality improvement with this purchase.
Bottom line, I'm debating between a shotgun or a wireless clip-on mic(Sony ECM-HW2 - Bluetooth Wireless Microphone System). I realize I may need to purchase both due to the various shots I need. Would a wireless work if I positioned it in the center of the group of people talking? Would that be better or worse than the built-in mic?
Has anyone used the adapter for Sony camcorders, such as the Pearstone Microphone Adapter for Sony Camcorder Hot Shoe? Does it work well?
What is the best quality shotgun microphone that would work with this adapter, for this type of project, under $150 or so?
A lot of questions, but I would really appreciate help!!! Thank you for your time.

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