The camera is sturdier and heavier than I thought, despite being the same size as my other camcorders. It's not necessarily easy, which in this case is a good thing. The resolution is lower and the zoom isn't as sharp as others. The recorded sounds are quite clear. I unknowingly had my hand over the speaker/mic and it was still picking up noise. I really appreciated the ability to fine-tune the video settings, which isn't always available on a camcorder. Switching from photo mode to video mode and back is very easy. Navigation through settings and menus is intuitive. If you have used any type of camera, this one will also be easy to use. The battery holds a charge well, and you can probably shoot for around two hours before you hit battery life. Just note that the SD card limit for this camera is 32GB. All in all, this is a good camcorder for quick and versatile recordings on the go. It's great for b-rolls and fun/light family events.