I agree with Bill - the DVC30 is a great camera - but it's still 1900 bucks or so. If you need to watch your pennies, and want something small that really is fun, and excellent too- check out the Panasonic PV-GS500. I got mine for under $ 650 from Abe's of Maine. Here's what I really like. It has manual control for both iris, and audio level. Which means that I can really control the lighting, and also that I can use the Rodemic on top. It's very small, but the images are excellent. I also really like the use of the joystick on the back for playback and for jumping around the menus. It's a real joy. I also have used a lot of cameras from the old Sony hi-8's to the HVX200 and back, and I gotta say - this is the fun I've had with a camera in a long time.
One thing - Abe's of Maine got it to my right away - sent me everything I was supposed to get, but they do have a really sneaky thing they do. After I placed the order on line, I got an email saying there was a problem with my order. I freaked - thought my credit card bombed - who knows. But in reality, the only problem was that I hadn't ordered enough stuff. They wanted to get me on line to up-sell me. Need a bigger camera battery? They told me the one I was getting was the tiny one that only lasts for like 20 minutes. But it was absolutely untrue. When you look at the manual that comes with it, it clearly points out that of the 4 available batteries, it ships with the 3rd largest. It lasts 2 to 3 hrs, and is great. Milt Lee
