Camcorder Suggestions

Ok so i wanna get a camcorder for christmas but i dont know what to get. It needs to be under $800 and above $400... well around there. Any suggestions?

I hear that you cant go wrong with the new Panasonics out now. They have 3 CCD's which is comparable to professional camera at a fraction of the cost. They go for under 800.00 and from the reviews i've read they are decent in low light filming. I have a old Canon Elura 60 myself which is O.K. My next camera will be a Panasonic.

any particular models?

Any sony mini dv camera with 3ccds and a 2.5 or if you like widescreen 2.7in screen should be good. Just make sure optical zoom is over 15x.

thanks for the info

http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wc...rogram=11002&cachePartner=7000000000000005702

Copy and paste this link and it will give you the details on the Panasonic camera I was talking about. I also recommend going to camcorder forums as well.

I would go with a Canon or a Sony, being sure it had firewire support.

i'll have to say a canon, just because its a canon, and the best. i'd spring for a canon ZR500, yeah yeah ik beginner camera, only 400 bucks, but its the only one of Canon's ZRs with a mic input, which i believe is fairly important. and the DV tape is definetly the way to go, much better than DVD for editing and such....