What camcorder should I buy?

What kind of microphone to buy for a Canon HF M40 camcorder?

• Alright, so I'm about to purchase my first new age camcorder (I only own an old VHS one and sometimes use my phone/digital camera). I have finally decided on a Canon HF M40 after debating between that and a Panasonic HDC-TM90 and a Sony HDR-CX160. I am 100% sure I'm going to want to buy an external microphone to hook onto it. I am also going to buy a clip on microphone at one point too, but from now on I just want a normal external (directional) one. I know the Canon has a 3.5 mm microphone jack on it and it also does have a hot shoe on top (although the jack is on the bottom part of the side). Does anybody know what microphone I should buy? I started to look online at some and I just am overwhelmed. I have, like I said, never owned a camcorder before so I'm not really sure what to get or, for the matter, will even fit/work with the Canon. Also, I'm not looking to spend anymore than like $50 ($75 TOPS) on this microphone, because the camera itself is like ~$400 and I also am going to purchase a tripod and green screen on top of it. Thank you guys so much for any help! I have already spent a week just researching camcorders thoroughly to decide on this camcorder I'm buying, I can't spend any more weeks just researching microphones now too.

• Answer:

  I own An Apex SM 750 microphone, available online for $29.99. It hooks to a Alto L-6 Mixer, which connects to another mixer then leads to the Mic port on which ever one of my Canon Camcorders I am using at the time. My audio tools - http://asimplelife.ca/boss.html My Set up - http://asimplelife.ca/light2.html My Vlogg - http://youtu.be/o75djSoQS7c