Final answer:
A shotgun microphone is highly directional and used to capture sound from a specific area at a distance. It is different from panoramic, body, or hand-held microphones.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of microphone that is highly directional and is aimed from a distance at a specific area is known as a shotgun microphone. Shotgun microphones have a narrow pickup pattern and are designed to capture sound from a distance, making them ideal for situations where the microphone cannot be placed close to the sound source, such as in film and television production. They are quite different from panoramic microphones, which are used to capture a wide area such as a stage during concerts. Unlike wireless body microphones, which are individual mics worn by performers, or hand-held microphones commonly used by singers, shotgun microphones are extremely directional and are used to target a specific sound source while minimizing background noise.