Microphones

On-Camera

• under $100: Rode VideoMic Go II ($99) / Sennheiser MKE 200 ($79)
• under $200: Sennheiser MKE 400 ($199)

Shotguns (outdoor boom mics)

You can also get equipment for much cheaper by renting!

• under $200: Audio-Technica AT875R ($169)
• under $300: Rode NTG2 ($269)
• under $400
  • Sennheiser MKE 600 ($329)
  • Rode NTG4+ ($399)
• under $500: Rode NTG5 ($499)
• under $1000: Rode NTG3 ($699)

Hypercardioid (indoor boom mics)

You can also get equipment for much cheaper by renting!

• under $200: Synco Mic-D2 ($199 $169)
• under $300: Oktava MK-012 ($269)
• under $1000: Audio-Technica AT4053b ($699)

Lavalier

• wired
  • budget: cheapest one available
  • under $50: DJI Lavalier ($49)
  • under $100: Rode Lavalier II ($81)
• wireless: Hollyland Lark M2 ($119 for full set, $106 for on-camera only, $92 for USB-C only, $99 for Lightning only, $36 for single transmitter)

The DJI Mic 2 and Rode Wireless Pro are both good options and have many QoL features such as 32-bit float and, for the Rode, timecode support and a locking audio jack. However, they are larger and more expensive than the Lark M2.

Audio Recorders

• voice recorder: Tentacle Track E ($289 recorder only, $349 with lavalier)
• field recorders
  • under $100: Zoom H1n ($89)
  • under $250: Sony A10 ($229)
    • very pocketable, great w/ lavalier mic for everyday voice memos
  • under $300: Zoom F3 ($299)

Timecode

• timecode: Tentacle Sync E ($249 for one, $439 for two)