No, the AT897 has a battery option (It will do battery or phantom -power)

Here's the AT web page for it: Audio-Technica - Microphones, headphones, wireless microphone systems, noise-cancelling headphones & more : AT897 Line + Gradient Condenser Microphone

Actually you can use a balanced pro mic with a mini-jack socket with an appropriate adaptor cable like this: Hosa 3.5 mm to XLR (F) Mono Plug, 5 ft. | Dolphin Music.

It isn't an optimum solution, because the design of the pro mic XLR connection actually helps with noise reduction, because the signal is balanced (a technical way of making the mic immune to noise picked up in the cable) but for the short run to the camcorder you shouldn't actually come across much of a problem.

as far as the Rode VM is concerned, like I said, I have no experience of it, but I do like their pro audio large diaphragm mics and in the audio world Rode have a great reputation. It may well be worth seeing if someone can demo one for you (or like I said, get one on Sale or return) That mic already has the mini-jack connection required by your camera