Purchasing a new camcorder, advise please

[dsquared]

I'm looking to purchase a new camcorder. I am overwhelmed with what is out there. I do not know the first thing about editing, so I'm thinking I would like a miniDV so that I can have the tapes as masters. I would like to spend no more that $500. Any suggestions on brands? I have a imac Intel Core Duo running 10.4.11. I will be filming mostly sports and family stuff and eventually I would like to edit and make movies.

Thanks for your advice!!

[Scooterandy]

Pannasonic Gs-320 Great camera, Inexpensive, 3 Chip (great colors)

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-PV-GS320-Camcorder-Optical-Stabilized/dp/B000M4LXIW/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1204167346&sr=8-1

[bloodycape]

I would also suggest the 320, but the older 300 had a light/flash, which can be handy. What I really would suggest is if you can find one in your price range the pv-gs500 or the older pv-gs250.

[seany916]

More than $500, but Canon just released the HV30, which is an update to the older HV20.

It's around $750 or so, but you'll be getting an INCREDIBLE camera for that price. I would recommend shooting all your footage in Standard Definition.

If in the future, you decide you want High Definition footage, then switch the setting to HDV (which it probably is by default). SD footage will be easier for your computer to work with.