The first surprise is that with all it’s capability and quality, this camera is still very small and lightweight. I suspect that it’s use of a mini-DVD for recording helps, as they are very small, thin, and light-weight. Use of a mini-DVD in the camera, makes the right side of the camera look a little rounder than the other side. But this is where you put your right hand when using the camera. So no one will notice. The mini-DVD records about 30 minutes of video, although this can be adjusted to 60 minutes (for long play), or to 20 minutes (for higher quality). This is enough for the average camcorder user, during an average day. If you need more, buy more of the mini-DVDs. The DVD-RWs are not expensive and can be reused. They are very convenient for transferring recordings to your PC. So, get a few extra mini-DVD-Rs and a few extra mini-DVD-RWs or RWs. The battery that comes with the camera is an FP-60 variety and it probably lasts for about 30 minutes of recording. The battery can be recharged using the camera. If you are going to be using the camcorder more heavily, an extra battery (FP-71 variety, or even better, the larger and much longer-lasting FP-90 variety might be better to have along with you.) There are two separate chargers available including a very convenient and very cool-looking fast charger. The extra battery or two might also be useful if you are going to add a light and/or flash attachment. (There is a small built-in flash, but not a built-in light.) So get at least one extra battery and maybe a charger if you are going to be more than a casual user of this camcorder. And perhaps get the extra light or light/flash attachments. The large (2.7 inch) and very useful LCD view-screen was also a surprise. This is the first camcorder I’ve used where there were so few buttons on the camcorder, and most of the function was available instead by touching "buttons" (and using menus) on the viewscreen. This takes less than 5 minutes to get used to. Then you realize how nice it is to have so few buttons on the camera body, where you might push them by mistake. You can hold this camera easily without pushing buttons. Also, it is nice to look at what the camera is seeing, while you are making changes via "buttons" on the viewscreen. This is a very nice feature. And if the viewscreen needs to be wiped clean after all that touching, and mine hasn’t yet, then just carefully wipe it clean. The viewscreen also is a very sharp display, showing lots of detail. Of course, the camera’s recorded picture quality is excellent. The quality of the sound recording is also very good, another surprise. And the camera takes nice, sharp 3-Mbyte still photos. All on the same mini-DVD. You can review all the little movies, and all your still photos on the touch viewscreen. Wonderful! Still photos can be stored instead on memory sticks, rather than the mini-DVD, for people who prefer them. And of course, the camera can talk to the computer via cables, etc. But the mini-DVD is the easiest way to move your items over to the PC. I haven’t tried the remote control for the camera yet, too much too soon. But I’m imagining all the uses I’ll have for it later, when I (like Hitchcock) feel the need to be in my own movies. Ah, and lastly, the "Easy button". What a great idea for someone like me. Make using the camcorder easy! And with great results too, even for someone with lots of experience using other camcorders. Now if you will excuse me, I’m going to check out how to get into a film school, so that I can do something useful and appropriate with all the capabilities of this camera. Look out Mr. Spielberg, here I come.