Good quality D3100 compatable camera mic? - 1

I want to buy a good microphone to use with my Nikon D3100 camera, but I don't know what are considered good mics for certain types of things, or like what the difference between condenser mics and the other type are, or what would be the best choice in type of mic and brand. I mainly just want an external microphone so I can better record the voices of people or things that i'm filming that are a little too far away for my camera to hear. If anyone is some type of microphone guru and can give me the lowdown on the information i'm seeking, and what type of mic and brand would be best for me, please let me know.

My opinion, there are two best in the world, Shure and Sennheiser. Both should be compatible. They're not cheap but they're the best.

You can add Rode to Jim A's list of the best, but if you are going to pay those sorts of prices you may as well get the dedicated Nikon one, which is pretty good.

You probably want a boom microphone for a camera. The camera ones have hotshoe mounts so they can sit on top of the camera where you would normally put a flash. You are unlikely to want to use a flash at the same time as a microphone because a flash doesn't work as a video light, so it's a convenient place to put it.

A search on Amazon finds several like this:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/...004UN9I2O/

If you are doing a lot of interview type of work then a radio lapel mic might be more appropriate.

Check the Amazon customer reviews - they usually point out the most common flaws or problems.

The D3100 does not have an external mic jack. So you will not be able to connect ab external mic to your camera.