This is a really sturdy and reliable camcorder, workhorse defines it the best. Even though it was released 9 years ago, it's still well suitable for all kinds of semi-pro and pro productions (for example, BBC was using them, and the film Once was shot with this camera). To help you avoid the hassle of converting the footage from tapes, I'm including the HVR-MRC1K from Sony, a memory recording unit that captures the HDV, DVCAM, or DV stream output from the camcorder to a standard CompactFlash solid-state memory card (optionally, a simultaneous recording to tape is possible for backup). Also included are: - Sony VCL-HG0872 0.8x Zoom Through Wide Angle Lens Converter with hood - 2 16GCF cards (each records around 70 minutes) - 2 batteries - Sony dual charger (can be used to charge both the batteries from camera and HVR-MRC1) - Rode shotgun microphone with windshield - Remote control - Sony VCT-D680RM Remote Control Tripod - can be connect to camera and used to turn power off, as well as zoom and record without taking your hand off the tripod's handle. The camera features HDV, DVCAM and DV recording, Hyper Gain, XLR audio connections and individual audio channel control, as well as PAL or NTSC recording mode, filmic effects settings, audio limiter, noise reduction etc.