Sony ECM-W5 wireless microphone records 32-bit float audio straight to the camera; $399.99, shipping November 2026

Sony Electronics introduced the ECM-W5, a wireless microphone system for video creators that pairs two transmitters with one receiver. Through the Multi-Interface (MI) Shoe, 32-bit float audio travels digitally to a compatible camera and is recorded with the video in a single file, so there is no separate audio file to sync afterward. Sony's footnotes say a compatible camera is required and that 32-bit float recording is available only at 48 kHz.

The system transmits up to 500 m line of sight, a distance Sony says varies with obstacles and radio conditions. Sony describes the link as approximately three times more stable than the ECM-W3, based on its internal measurement, and designed to reduce dropouts in congested radio-frequency environments. Low-latency transmission is aimed at uses such as live streaming.

Each transmitter has 64 GB of built-in storage for backup recording, which Sony says holds up to 90 hours at 32-bit float/48 kHz or up to 60 hours at 24-bit/96 kHz. The microphones support 96 kHz High-Resolution Audio recording, and a 3.5 mm input accepts lavalier and external microphones, including the separately sold ECM-L1.

The system can record up to four audio channels in-camera when combined with separately sold ECM-W5T transmitters, and offers timecode for multi-camera syncing. Compatible Sony wireless headphones can be used for cable-free monitoring and as wireless microphone inputs. Compatible cameras can power the receiver through the MI Shoe, a supplied USB Type-C adapter connects to compatible smartphones and PCs, and transmitters can also connect directly over Bluetooth. The transmitters run up to 11 hours and have a dust- and moisture-resistant design, which Sony notes is not guaranteed to be 100% dust and moisture proof.

The ECM-W5 is listed for November 2026 at an MSRP of US $399.99 (CA $569.99). The ECM-W5R receiver (US $189.99) and ECM-W5T transmitter (US $119.99) are also sold separately, and pre-orders for the ECM-W5 began at 7 AM PT/10 AM ET on Oct. 14, 2026. The release does not name specific retailers.