THIS IS THE FIRST CAMCORDER WE HAVE EVER BOUGHT AND IT SEEMS TO BE VERY EASY TO USE AND WE HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS .IT IS A VERY GOOD VALUE FOR THE MONEY . WE PRICE SHOPPED FOR QUITE A WHILE TO MAKE SURE WE GOT EVERYTHING WE WANTED FOR A PRICE WE COULD AFFORD.ITS COMPACT SIZE WILL MAKE IT EASY TO TRAVEL WITH AND IT IS LIGHT WEIGHT ALSO. WE LIKE THE FACT THAT WITH THE CLICK OF A FINGER YOU CAND SWITCH TO STILL PICTURES THAT CAN BE STORED ON THE MEMORY CARD SO THERE IS NO NEED TO CARRY A CAMERA ALSO.THIS IS A GREAT ITEM FOR TRAVELING GRANDPARENTS LIKE US AS WELL AS FOR FAMILIES...