The Sennheiser MKE 400 is a compact, directional shotgun microphone designed specifically for DSLR, mirrorless, and camcorder users seeking a significant upgrade over built-in camera microphones. It features a supercardioid/lobar polar pattern that captures sound from the front while rejecting ambient noise from the sides and rear, resulting in clearer, more focused audio for interviews, vlogging, and filmmaking. The microphone is powered either by a single AA battery or via plug-in power from compatible cameras, offering flexibility in the field. Its low-profile design includes a built-in shock mount to minimize handling noise and a windscreen to reduce wind interference.

The MKE 400 connects directly to the camera's hot shoe via an integrated mount and includes a 3.5mm stereo mini-jack output cable that plugs into the camera's microphone input. It provides a significant boost in audio quality with a tailored frequency response optimized for speech. Easy to use and highly portable, the MKE 400 is an essential accessory for content creators and videographers who need professional-grade, directional audio without the complexity of an external recorder or mixer, making it a popular choice for enhancing on-camera sound.