How long will I be able to shoot on a single battery charge?
Battery life can vary considerably, depending on how much you use features such as zoom and image stabilization. Framing your shots with the LCD instead of the optical viewfinder is especially draining on the battery. Roughly an hour of shooting is average for the standard battery that comes with a camcorder, although some models may double that. For many camcorders you can get a more powerful, high-capacity battery that extends shooting time to four to six hours, such as Sony s NP-FH70 InfoLITHIUM H Series Stamina Rechargeable Battery Pack ($99.99; www.sonystyle.com).