Panasonic DMW-DMS1: cable-free shotgun with six pickup modes

Panasonic has introduced the LUMIX DMW-DMS1, a digital shotgun microphone for its cameras. Power and digital audio both pass through the hot shoe, so no cable or battery is needed. The mic weighs 0.22 lb.

Camera support

The DMW-DMS1 works with the DC-S1M2, S1M2ES, S1RM2, S5M2 and S5M2X. Support for the DC-GH7 and G9M2 is planned through a future firmware update.

Dual AD converters allow 32-bit float recording. As of February 2026, this feature works on the S1M2, S1M2ES and S1RM2. The mic is designed to handle more than 120 dB SPL.

Six directional modes

Buttons on the back select the pickup mode. Their light brightness can be set to one of three levels from the camera. Panasonic suggests the following uses:

• Front-focused unidirectional: group conversations or scenes that keep some background sound.
• Stereo: street performances or studio recordings.
• Wide stereo: recitals or sports.
• Front supercardioid: noisy or reverberant places.
• Rear supercardioid: narration recorded while filming.
• Front-rear supercardioid: interviews between the operator and the subject.

Backup tracks and hardware

Two backup recording modes protect against wrong settings or capture ambience. With 4-channel recording, channels 3 and 4 can serve as backups. The mic uses a new 10 mm microphone array, a floating internal shock mount that reduces vibration noise while walking, and a large windscreen that suppresses wind noise outdoors. Audio controls sit on the side.

Pre-orders opened on March 2, 2026, at 10:00 JST. Shipping was set for mid-March at a price of $399 in the United States.