Rode mic or zoom recorder?

[gamaufvisuals]

Here is my budget recommendation:

1.) Use an external recorder: Zoom H5
2.) Dialog Recording: Lav mic
3.) Ambient Recording: Zoom H5 X/Y mic

Connect the line output from the Zoom H5 to your camera for dual recording.

 

[IronFilm]

Stay away from the Rode NTG1 or NTG2, they might seem good on the costing but they have a very low audio output level which means you need to drive the preamp in the camera or recorder harder which brings up lots of noise and hiss.

True if you're going with a Zoom H4n like he mentioned in his post, but if he gets something like a Tascam DR-60D mk2 (which has hugely better pre amps than the H4n, yet the DR-60D mk2 is just as affordable to buy!) then he'll be fine with the NTG2 (source: I own a NTG2 myself. Have used it with both a friend's H4n, and my own DR-60D).

Edit: gah... why do I keep on finding myself replying to comments I've already replied to :-/