Camcorder suggestions for easy editing with an iMac and FCP 6?

Hello,
This is my first post here. I did some searching, but I have a specific question.

I'm looking to get a pretty basic camcorder in the $400-$600 range that uses SD cards or built-in memory and SD cards. This would be mainly for family home videos and YouTube video projects. My main concern is that I can easily edit with Final Cut Pro 6. I don't want to have to convert it 3 times or jump through a lot of hoops just to edit my videos.

Can you recommend camcorders that are easily compatible with a new iMac and FCP 6?

Around $500 - $600 max. HD is good but not necessary. An external mic jack would be nice too.

Thanks.

For HD - take a look at the Canon Vixia series (just so you're prepared, just about any SD card (or HDD) based camcorder that records HD will record in AVCHD, which means that the video will have to be transcoded - it will be transparent to you as it is transcoded on import into a format that is editable; for FCP you'd usually use Apple ProRes) - I have a refurb HF100 (it's a slightly older model) and I really like it - plus it has the mic input which I use with either an external mic or my juicedlink box.

Sony makes some really nice HD camcorders, but most of their consumer cameras now don't have mic jacks any more it seems.

I'd stay away from JVC camcorders as they (unless they've changed the most recent units) record in a special format that has to be transcoded separately just to be recognized properly by FCP.

Nethfel is right, the Canon Vixia series is the best for your budget and second would come Sony's HDR series. I wouldn't get anything other than thosse two company's recent camcorders.

Thanks. I'm glad to hear the Canons work well. A refurbished Vixia was high on my list. I just went ahead and ordered the HF10. Looks like it has everything I need, including a mic jack.

Grats on your purchase!

I'm sure you'll enjoy it - I had picked up a refurb HF100 from TigerDirect and I really enjoy it. I've had really good luck with the RH0DE Video Mic and Stereo VideoMic - as well as with a juicedlink (I used it for the first time for a graduation hooked into a sound mixer). The HF10 isn't too different from the 100, so I have a feeling you'll get a lot of pleasure out of it. I use mine with FCE 4 and FCP 6.

Make sure your Final Cut is fully updated (FCP 6 current version fully patched is 6.0.6 (well, either 6.0.6 or 6.06 - either way, first and last digit is a 6 ) to work best with the AVCHD footage.

Thanks,
I just checked and I do have version 6.0.6.
Looking forward to using the HF10!