it always starts like this:
1) buy a camcorder.
2) make videos.

and i thought i would be done there. but once i started to make videos, i realized a few things:
problem: audio quality with the built-in mic is awful.
solution: buy an external mic.

problem: camcorder’s hot shoe mount is not standard.
solution: buy a mini shoe=> standard shoe adapter.

problem: video quality is great, but is really shaky and dizzy to look at.
solution: buy some kind of steadying device. buy a manfrotto modosteady.

so what started off as an already largish $600 camcorder purchase became a $600 camcorder + $100 external mic + $30 hot shoe adapter + $100 modosteady purchase.

man, it is never easy, is it? these home videos better look awesome!