I have just bought a secondhand Canon XM1 in mint condition.
Supurb camera, but the onboard mic seems so quiet. When hooked up to the sound meters on the video, the sound does not go above -12db.

I used to use pro broadcast camers with pro mics and the sound was always around 0db. (on automatic)
Even my old domestic camcorders were about 0db.

The sound is very good, just so quiet. (even normal talking about 3ft away).

Any one know if this is normal levels for an onboard mic. I can not find any way of altering this (except adding an external mic). Is there any thing hidden in the menus? or anything else I am missing?

Bump

[TommyVecetti]

It shouldn't sound very quiet from 3 feet away. Something sounds wrong.

What does it sound like using an external mic plugged in?

I have no external mic to plug in.

I hope it is that I am just comparing to the old pro kit I used to use.

Just thought the mic on a camera like this would be a bit better, or there was something in the menu I may have missed (although I have looked and looked).

[TommyVecetti]

How quiet are we talking? Inaudible? I'd guess that it should be able to pick up a converstion quite well from at least about 10-15 feet away.

My cousin has the XM1 and the sound seems fine like any camcorder.