Originally Posted by sinclair

It is honestly a tough question to answer and a bit of a personal one at that. Every one has favorite brands and favorite features. Not to mention budget and specific use. I know lots of people that get by with a less than 3 CCD camera but some say that 3 chip cameras are mandatory.

If you are on a tight budget and do not need a professional level camera have a look at the Canon HV30. For a pro level Canon look at the XH A1.
I am personally a Panasonic kinda guy and have used both the AG HMC150 and the AG HPX170. Love them both.

I am not a fan of Sony at all. Way too proprietary, they tend to not play well with Final Cut Pro, my editing application of choice. But I have friends that swear by them. Hit up some of the review sites and happy hunting.

BTW, dont forget to budget for lights! HD is a light hungry beast and proper lighting can make a cheap camera look good.

Sinclair