Sony ECM-W5 review: a pricey wireless mic with a unique trick

TechRadar’s Sam Kieldsen reviewed Sony’s ECM-W5, a wireless microphone system that stands out for recording 32-bit float audio directly in compatible cameras. The review calls it especially suitable for Sony camera owners, thanks to its Multi Interface Shoe receiver.

The system includes two clip-on transmitters, a receiver and a charging case. Each transmitter has a 3.5mm lavalier microphone input with a screw-lock connector and 62.5GB of usable internal storage (64GB before formatting). Sony claims a 500m range; Kieldsen says the signal held up during his test across two floors of his house. The system also supports timecode and an optional 96kHz/24-bit Hi-Res Audio mode.

The review describes the sound as clean and clear, but says the noise reduction is less effective than DJI’s and Insta360’s. It also notes that the transmitters are bulkier than the DJI Mic 3’s, the receiver’s touchscreen faces backwards when mounted on a camera, and Sony does not include a 3.5mm audio cable.

Sony says the ECM-W5 will go on sale in November 2026. The full kit, with two transmitters, a receiver and a charging case, is priced at $399.99 / £350 / AU$619. Individual transmitters cost $189.99 / £110 / AU$179, while the receiver costs $189.99 / £180 / AU$289. TechRadar says the DJI Mic 3’s equivalent two-transmitter kit launched at £259, making the Sony kit around £90 more expensive.