What to look for in a consumer level video camera?

[Mark-P]

We need to buy a bunch of consumer level video cameras for students to shoot video that they can later edit. I'm looking in the $500 and less price range at BH http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/searc...Ns=p_OVER_ALL_RATE|1&N=4294548093&srtclk=sort

Can anyone give me any suggestions regarding features or specifications I can look into to determine what might make one a better camera over the other?

Thanks in advance.