How Professional Journalists Are Replacing Multi-Camera Interview Rigs with the XTRA MUSE: Real-World Results & Pricing

Broadcast-quality interview footage no longer requires bulky camera rigs, wireless sync setups, or multi-person crews. Professional journalists, sports broadcasters, and celebrity interviewers are achieving studio-grade results with a single pocket-sized camera—the XTRA MUSE.

How Solo Journalists Are Replacing 3-Camera Rigs With the XTRA MUSE

For independent journalists, documentary filmmakers, and interviewers, the barrier to high-quality video has always been gear. Traditionally, capturing a dynamic, professional interview required at least a two-to-three camera setup, heavy tripods, a dedicated camera operator, and a bulky audio recorder.

But what if you could fit your entire "camera crew" into your pocket?

The XTRA MUSE is changing the game for solo creators. Originally designed as the ultimate vlogging pocket gimbal, its professional-grade specs and intelligent tracking have made it a secret weapon for serious journalists. Here is a deep dive into why industry pros are downsizing their gear bags, a real-world case study, and how it stacks up against the competition.

How the XTRA MUSE Rewrites the Interview Playbook

We recently came across a video from professional creator @seehendo using the XTRA MUSE to shoot sports interviews, and it left us incredibly inspired. With just one person and one camera—no backup rigs, no gimbal operators—he delivered broadcast-quality results.

Perfectly isolated subjects, natural skin tones, and locked framing despite subject movement. This is what single-camera professionalism looks like in 2026.

Here is why the XTRA MUSE is purpose-built for interview work:

1. Smart Tracking Keeps Subjects Framed—Hands-Free
Set it down and focus on the conversation. Unlike traditional setups, XTRA MUSE’s intelligent tracking locks onto your subject perfectly. Whether it's an animated sports interview or a 2-hour podcast, your interviewer never needs to touch the camera again.

2. 1-Inch Sensor for Pro-Grade Color & Low Light
Featuring a 1-inch sensor, 10-bit X-Log, and 12.8 stops of dynamic range, it delivers cinematic depth of field and captures flattering, broadcast-accurate skin tones. It gives you the flexibility to shoot anywhere—from dimly lit locker rooms to bright stadium edges—without losing detail.

3. Seamless Pro Audio Integration
Great interviews need great sound. XTRA MUSE pairs wirelessly with the DJI Mic series via Bluetooth, delivering perfectly synced audio straight to your video file and eliminating the headache of syncing in post.

4. Ready in Seconds
Press junkets and sideline interviews move fast. XTRA MUSE powers on and is ready to record instantly. No rig assembly, no gimbal calibration. When your subject is ready, you're ready.

5. Pocket-Sized Portability
The best gear is the gear you actually bring. Paired with its mini tripod, XTRA MUSE fits in a jacket pocket. It empowers you to capture opportunities you’d usually skip with a heavy rig—from roaming red carpets to breaking-news street interviews.

Interview Scenarios Where the XTRA MUSE Shines

Whether you're on a red carpet or in a boardroom, the XTRA MUSE delivers measurable advantages across various interview setups:

• Fast-Paced Press Junkets & Red Carpets: You often only get a 90-second window with talent. The MUSE’s 3-second startup time ensures you never miss a beat. Plus, its compact size captures professional, documentary-level footage without the intimidating presence of a massive film crew.
• Sideline & Sports Coverage: From harsh direct sun to heavily shaded stadiums, the 1-inch sensor easily handles extreme dynamic range without color shifts. Meanwhile, Smart Tracking keeps animated, moving athletes perfectly in frame.
• News Gathering & Street Journalism: Its discreet form factor minimizes subject intimidation while still signaling professional legitimacy. But don’t just take our word for it. As hinsonphotog, a photojournalist for WPLG., recently shared with us: "I use mine all the time for my job! I covered the F1 Miami race and just recently the Presidential elections in Colombia. It’s perfect for news gathering on tight deadlines."
• Long-Form Podcasts (2–4 Hours): Hands-free operation means zero physical strain. Your interviewer stays mentally sharp, knowing the camera is automatically maintaining perfect composition throughout the entire session.
• Corporate & Executive Comms: Executives are far more likely to agree to an interview when the gear setup looks manageable. The MUSE delivers a premium look without the "Hollywood heavy" aesthetic that can make internal talent freeze up.

🛒 Buyer’s Guide: Which Setup is Right for You?

XTRA is running a major promotion throughout August, making this the best time to upgrade your interview and content kit.

Here is a breakdown of the lineup to help you choose:

1. The Solo Journalist’s Sweet Spot: XTRA MUSE + Mini Tripod

   Price: $339 (On promo all of August)

   Why we recommend it: This is the absolute best value for interviewers and vloggers. The Mini Tripod is essential for tabletop interviews, allowing the camera to utilize its Smart Tracking hands-free. For just $10 more than the base model, it’s a no-brainer.

2. The Run-and-Gun Base Kit: XTRA MUSE (Base)

   Price: $329 on promo

   Why we recommend it: Perfect if you already own a collection of 1/4" thread tripods and mounts, and just need the camera itself to act as your daily carry.

3. The Ready-to-Shoot Bundle: XTRA MUSE + 128GB MicroSD Card

   Price: $349 on promo

   Why we recommend it: High-bitrate 10-bit 4K video eats up storage fast. If you don't have a fast, reliable V30/V60 MicroSD card lying around, grab this bundle to ensure you can start shooting right out of the box.

Why This Moment Matters: The Shifting Interview Landscape

Interview production is undergoing fundamental change:

• Newsrooms are operating leaner with smaller crews and tighter budgets
• Freelance journalists face competing pressures: deliver on turnaround speed AND maintain production value
• Documentary filmmakers need to move faster without sacrificing image quality and authenticity
• Remote work and distributed teams make simplified workflows valuable (one person, one camera, zero coordination overhead)

The traditional multi-camera interview rig—with its backup cameras, gimbal operators, external audio crews—is becoming economically and logistically obsolete. Not because it can't produce quality results, but because the XTRA MUSE produces comparable quality with a fraction of the operational complexity.

The shift isn't about capability—it's about efficiency.

If a professional journalist like @seehendo can prove single-camera broadcast-quality interviews work for real professional assignments, why carry the additional weight, setup time, and crew coordination?

Have you ditched your multi-camera rig for a single-camera interview setup? Share your workflow and results in the comments below. We're featuring the best reader submissions on our Instagram and YouTube channels.