Reddit mentions of Vidpro XM-L Lavalier Condenser Microphone for DSLRs, Camcorders & Video Cameras 20' Audio Cable

/u/reverseitandflipit - with a $1000CAD budget, I recommend a [$669.95CAD Panasonic FZ300 with the 24x constant f/2.8 low light lens] (https://www.amazon.ca/Panasonic-DMC-FZ300K-Megapixel-2-3-inch-Dustproof/dp/B011PKJI2Y//ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=hybrcamerevo-20) plus a [$79CAD Rode Video Micro] (https://www.amazon.ca/Rode-VideoMicro-Compact-Camera-Microphone/dp/B015R0IQGW//ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=hybrcamerevo-20) for following people around and a [$34.81CAD VidPro lavalier] (https://www.amazon.ca/VidPro-Professional-Lavalier-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B00PQYMFU8//ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=hybrcamerevo-20) for stationary interviews.

The FZ300 has great optical image stabilization for handheld work.

Here is the video image quality this camera can produce:

• [Behind The Scenes Photo Shoot - Elly Brown at Nelson Ghost Town by Kristoff Lutchman] (https://youtu.be/HrVGPs9iDHs) (2160p)
  
  
• [Portraits of Pandharpur - Lumix FZ300 4K by Adventurolic Vishal] (https://youtu.be/ZJHTYAjFg5Y) (2160p)
  
  
• [Legong - Panasonic Lumix Fz300 4K by Edi Wiratama] (https://youtu.be/f23VHc2d2hA) (2160p)
  
  
• [Dawn at the river bend (4K Lumix FZ300 / FZ330) by Martin Wallgren] (https://youtu.be/6AzrltvaeJY) (2160p)
  
  
• [Panasonic LUMIX FZ300 4K Video "The Blessings of Nature in Sri Lanka" by Bence Máté] (https://youtu.be/lYmQuM0hHdw) (2160p)
  
  
• [SLR Magic 1.33x Anamorphot &Lumix Fz300@Hebe Haven by Louis Lee] (https://youtu.be/B9TwWOYIG9k) (2160p - shot with an SLR Magic 1.33x Anamorphot Adapter]
  
  
• [FZ300 600mm zoom with stabilized control by Gos] (https://youtu.be/UyLOpzk5BGg) (2160p)
  
  Slow Motion
  
  
• [AXIAL YETI CUSTOM SOFT SAND SLOW MOTION by RiC] (https://youtu.be/B136T6Ao394)
  
  
• [Surfers Imperial Beach jumping high by California Surfing] (https://youtu.be/Yacj_N8d9I4) (1080p)
  
  
• [Slo Mo Panasonic FZ300 Really Cool by California Surfing] (https://youtu.be/Rd_cAdj8RGI) (720p)
  
  Plus, it's a [pretty good still camera] (https://www.flickr.com/groups/2871670@N21/pool).
  
  I have an earlier version of this camera, the FZ150 (pictured [here] (https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPEquiK0_X2O7thE3tD7A1eVAn_5FZOOBqboBDfbt9q-8E8_C1ba9Bir6Jk5pun3w/photo/AF1QipNY0ER86Crq9uea8bT6bse8GjXx_VOr5J4fQXG_?key=U2hmT3h2czMwemtVLWl5MldzOGxkNEkwTmhqSERR) with a shoe mounted microphone), and it is a very capable little still/video camera.
  
  The FZ300 will give you very high quality video at a very reasonable price.
  
  Hope this is helpful and good luck finding the right camera for your needs!
  
  

Copied from where I posted it below so you don't miss it.

The mic does have a little cylinder halfway down the line that takes a battery

It's this one actually

I've plugged it into an old headphone line splitter I have so now I have my headphone and mic cables going into that then into USB on the computer. I think it's working a bit better but the PC construes it as a specific headset unit and no longer gives me the option to adjust the input gain in the Sound Settings - Advanced - Levels section. Also it's strange to me that it doesn't work on non-battery setting (for smartphones) while plugged into the PC since plenty of USB-input devices draw power from the computer, right?

I'm thinking I'll keep it for the time being and invest in a better one down the road.