Camera Extras
You must buy an extra battery. You don't want to find yourself out shooting photos and video and run out of juice.
A reputable extra battery is the 'Watson'. I know, it's a strange name but it is a respected generic battery.
Depending on the camera, it will cost $25-30.
Make sure you buy the correct one for your camera.
Yes, you can buy the 'body only' and choose a more expensive lens.
However, all three cameras I have written about come with very good lenses.
Basically, you can't go wrong with any of them.
Don't be fooled by huge amounts of free extras.
Some of the listings have tripods, lenses, memory chips etc.
The memory chips and lenses are cheap.
You cannot put a cheap 'plastic' lens on a good lens and have a top notch image.
You get what you pay for.
If you buy a camera with lots of free extras,
make sure you also get the Canon or Nikon one-year warranty.
Yes, you also want a good warranty. But never buy the extended warranty.
If your camera is a dud, you will know it
in three months.
You need an extra memory card. The SanDisk is very good and respected.
But, believe me, there is a huge amount of difference of opinion
as to how much HD video can be recorded.
There are numerous different answers.
I received a 32GB Sandisk with the camera. This should be good for at least six hours,
but I'm learning with my own camera, as you should.
By the way, don't buy memory cards on eBay.
There's a chance some of them will be counterfeit Chinese knockoffs.
Always buy from a reputable dealer, such as Amazon.
The camera that I bought came with a good SanDisk memory card and a cheap camera bag.
I have no interest in the bag. I already have one that I will take on board the airplane with me.
My bag has room for the camera, lens and extra battery.
Also, it has room for a book to read, vitamins and medicines
and a couple of candy bars.
I'll keep it right with me in my seat.
To conclude, you want a good camera and lens, a good extra battery and memory card and...
a one-year warranty.