Which Digital Camera to Buy? Sony DSC S3000 or Canon A800?

zulfiqar

In Pakistan Sony DSC S3000 is Rs1500 equavilant USD20 cheaper then A800

Answer
Canon is better

I need a good digital camera?

quetta_sa

I live in Pakistan, now i need a good digital camera. I can buy a camera in range of 100 dollar to 120 dallar.
Camera shoul make good quality movies and still amages.
What about Canon Powershot A470?
Please help me, it is my time for digital camera.

Answer
All of the major brands are good. Choose a brand that appeals to you. Then you have to think about getting a spare battery, what size memory card, if you want an extended warranty, how much you can afford, what size zoom, if you want manual controls, the size of the camera, finding a reliable place to purchase it, and the list goes on and on and on.......

The first thing to realize is that almost any digital camera will take good pictures. If more people would read the manual more than once, they would be able to take better pictures. Usually, the person assumes it is the camera when it could be them not knowing exactly what to do. Just give yourself more photographic knowledge by doing more reading on the internet.

I really believe buying a camera is an individual choice.
The person needs to read alot of reviews on cameras so they can decide on the features that they really want and need.
Go to the store and hold them so you can see if they feel comfortable in your hands. If possible, take some pictures in the store to check the quality of the pictures.
I can only give a suggestion of what to look for in a new digital camera.
Good Luck



my suggestion
go to this link for help
http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-camera-buying-guide/

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

I bought two Digital Cameras :)?

Chota.Don

hey guys how u all doing ... i finally bought two digi cams on boxing day in morning lol...it was so cold (had to get in line) anyways so i looked in flyers and came across this Canon Power SD850 IS at bestbuy for $269.99 here:
http://link-protector.com/375115/

and then the other camera i bought is Olympus FE-270 from London Drugs for $99.72 to gift someone
http://i4.tinypic.com/7yqxjrt.jpg

now u guys tell me i got a good deal or not??....and none of them came wid memory cards so i bought them separtely...and one question i have like the canon camera that i bought uses Rechargeable Lithium Battery Pack NB-5L and i got a charger wid that tooo.... now ill definitely get the additional battery so if i travel and i dont have to worry about running out charging ....but my question is would this battery charger that i got with this camera would work in countries like pakistan ?? or india?? cuz the plug is different right and volts??... so wht can i do if i take it to pakistan ?? thats my big worry and also same wid the camcorder i have ?

btw guys I opened a thread before buying the cam here:

http://link-protector.com/375114/


I hope someone replies thanks
hey guys heres the proper first link : http://i19.tinypic.com/72llz7t.jpg

Answer
First of all for the price that you purchased your powershot sd 850 for the price that you could have got the best canon camera out there which is the canon powershot s3 is or the canon powershot s5 is. So no the sd850 was not a good deal see if you can return it and go online to buy an S3 is.

the fe-270 was a good deal

Which Professional Video Camera Should i Buy?

Wajahat A

i am not a professional film maker .... but i am in a situation where i have to record a TV show my self (with help of two friends) here in USA every week and send it to Pakistan to be aired on Television...basically i am suppose to Shoot few people sitting in park disssucing differnt issues, then we might ask people on street on their views ..its all out door shoots ...... and it should have a look and feel of a movie ... i have a high-end computer which i can use to eidt our videos , the aim is it should look professionally shot and to the standard of putting in on television...

i would like to know what is the best choice i have in terms on buying a camera under $4000.00 , which would give me a film like shooting and good voice? i know there are JVC , SONY , CANON miniDV HD camera's or P2 format ....people are talking about Canon XH A1 or Sony HVR-V1U or JVC Pro GY-HD200u , what else would i need other then the camera , in order to shoot this kind of footage, appricate any help

Answer
You have an excellent budget, so you have many excellent choices. I will give you my opinion. First, I will talk about formats. Assuming you want to go HD, the first and most common format is HDV. HDV utilizes miniDV tapes; its a very easy format to use, and also very practical. In the consumer division of camcorders, HDV is the obvious choice (for me at least) for 2 main reasons: 1) HDV is much less compressed than the AVCHD camcorders (hard drive, mini DVD, and SD flash media) and (2) HDV is compatible with all the best editing systems, while AVCHD is limited to a small number of programs.

Unfortunately, we cannot say the same about professional camcorders. Sure, HDV is much less compressed than consumer level hard disk formats, but it is still very compressed (too compressed for many professional filmmakers). Therefore, you may get slightly sharper footage on pro hard disk formats such as Panasonic's P2 card, or Sony's XDCAM. In that case, you may want to go with the Panasonic HVX200 or the Sony PMW-EX1. However, I still have problems with P2 and XDCAM. My major concern is that their complex media cards do not hold much (you may get 25 minutes on one XD SxS Card). Also, buying a replacement card isn't cheap, making these camcorders a real pain. HDV, on the other hand is much more practical, with miniDV cassettes only costing several bucks- even for the pro HD cassettes. In conclusion, I believe Hard disk formats such as the SxS card and the P2 card have a future in the digital filmmaking world, but right now, HDV is still more practical.

Now that I have discussed the pros and cons of formats, I will talk about camcorders. The best camcorder for you is probably the CANON XH-A1 for around $3,300. It is unexpectedly easy to use, very well built, and packed with features that make the XH-A1 rival camcorders much more expensive. It is an extremely popular model, and is regarded as one of the best camcorders, for its great balance between quality and value. My only problem with it is its lack of a REAL 24p mode (24p changes the native 30 frames per second, standard on digital camcorders to the 24 fps of film- it also gives the footage a softer, almost pleasingly grainy look that indie filmmakers desire). Instead, the XH-A1 has a feature called 24f, in which Canon claims to be identical to 24p. I have not put the 24f through its paces, so I cannot make that argument either way; I expect it to be almost, if not just as good. Either way, the XH-A1 may be your best choice.

Another camcorder that often fails to get the recognition it deserves is the JVC GY-HD200U for a bit over $4,000. It has all the elements of a good pro camcorder, but I was especially impressed with its picture quality. I usually don't go for JVC, but I believe this camcorder may have the best picture quality in the prosumer range, next to the Sony EX1 and Canon XL-H1. Another feature that sets the HD200U apart from most camcorders in its price range, is that it accepts interchangeable lenses.

Regarding your final question about additional accessories, I would look into a Shotgun Mic, a Pro Tripod with a Fluid Head (for smooth pans, etc), and a powerful editing system.
SHOTGUNS: Daniel K's suggestion to get an XLR mic is a good one. I recommend looking into mics such as the Sennheiser ME66 or the Rode NTG1 and NTG2- they are extremely popular among pros. They may seem a bit pricy, but in my opinion, a good mic is always worth the investment- a good mic will never become obsolete so they will still be just as good ten, even twenty years from now. Generally speaking, the quality of a mic is directly related to its price.

TRIPOD: Of course, when handling thousands of dollars in equipment, it may be a good idea to invest in a reliable tripod, especially one that supports your camcorder's weight. Also, look for one that has a fluid head for flawlessly smooth pans that gives you that professional look. Here is a link to a decent tripod that is a particularly good deal as it comes with attachable dolly legs- they aren't the best for dollys, but at least its a start.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/243272-REG/Davis_Sanford_PROVISTA7518_Pro_Vista_Tripod_with.html#goto_itemInfo

EDITING PROGRAM. With a professional 3-chip HD camcorder, you will probably be unsatified with consumer editing tools in cheapo programs. I found that consumer programs also give you much worse quality, so a good editing system may be just as important as the camcorder. In the professional world, the most-used systems is the Final Cut Pro by Apple (Macs only), and the Avid Media Composer (for Macs and PCs). In my opinion, the Avid systems are still a lot better...and if you are a student you can get them at an EXCELLENT value via student discounts. Its a $4,000 value at a discount of $295 at www.journeyed.com

Hope that helps!! Best of luck on you journey into the world of filmmaking!!!

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I bought two Digital Cameras :)?

canon digital camera in pakistan image

Chota.Don

hey guys how u all doing ... i finally bought two digi cams on boxing day in morning lol...it was so cold (had to get in line) anyways so i looked in flyers and came across this Canon Power SD850 IS at bestbuy for $269.99 here:
http://link-protector.com/375115/

and then the other camera i bought is Olympus FE-270 from London Drugs for $99.72 to gift someone
http://i4.tinypic.com/7yqxjrt.jpg

now u guys tell me i got a good deal or not??....and none of them came wid memory cards so i bought them separtely...and one question i have like the canon camera that i bought uses Rechargeable Lithium Battery Pack NB-5L and i got a charger wid that tooo.... now ill definitely get the additional battery so if i travel and i dont have to worry about running out charging ....but my question is would this battery charger that i got with this camera would work in countries like pakistan ?? or india?? cuz the plug is different right and volts??... so wht can i do if i take it to pakistan ?? thats my big worry and also same wid the camcorder i have ?

btw guys I opened a thread before buying the cam here:

http://link-protector.com/375114/


I hope someone replies thanks
hey guys heres the proper first link : http://i19.tinypic.com/72llz7t.jpg

Answer
First of all for the price that you purchased your powershot sd 850 for the price that you could have got the best canon camera out there which is the canon powershot s3 is or the canon powershot s5 is. So no the sd850 was not a good deal see if you can return it and go online to buy an S3 is.

the fe-270 was a good deal

Which camera should I get?

- -

My birthday is coming up in a few days, and I'm currently in Pakistan to celebrate it here. I wanted a professional camera for the longest time, and thought the perfect time to ask for one, would be on my birthday. The problem is, that I'm not sure which one to get. Also, I'm not sure of the prices either. I'm a beginner so I don't want a highly professional one though. But I love photography, and don't know which camera is worth the price.

Can anyone tell me which professional camera I should get, how much it comes for, and possible where to get it?

Answer
If you are considering DIGITAL cameras instead of film cameras, then...

Get the digital camera by Canon that is in your price range.

There is no other digital camera that is better in color and picture quality than Canon.

If you want a film camera, then you will have to ask someone else, I have never done any research on what is a good film camera.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

I need a good digital camera?

canon digital camera in pakistan image

quetta_sa

I live in Pakistan, now i need a good digital camera. I can buy a camera in range of 100 dollar to 120 dallar.
Camera shoul make good quality movies and still amages.
What about Canon Powershot A470?
Please help me, it is my time for digital camera.

Answer
All of the major brands are good. Choose a brand that appeals to you. Then you have to think about getting a spare battery, what size memory card, if you want an extended warranty, how much you can afford, what size zoom, if you want manual controls, the size of the camera, finding a reliable place to purchase it, and the list goes on and on and on.......

The first thing to realize is that almost any digital camera will take good pictures. If more people would read the manual more than once, they would be able to take better pictures. Usually, the person assumes it is the camera when it could be them not knowing exactly what to do. Just give yourself more photographic knowledge by doing more reading on the internet.

I really believe buying a camera is an individual choice.
The person needs to read alot of reviews on cameras so they can decide on the features that they really want and need.
Go to the store and hold them so you can see if they feel comfortable in your hands. If possible, take some pictures in the store to check the quality of the pictures.
I can only give a suggestion of what to look for in a new digital camera.
Good Luck



my suggestion
go to this link for help
http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-camera-buying-guide/

Canon A800 is the Cheapest Compact Digital Camera by Canon but from Nikon Coolpix which is the Cheapest?

zulfiqar

I am Living in Pakistan so plz just advise the Model name i will check the Price Localy.. Now i have to just decide weather to buy Canon A800 or from Nikon? Sony DSC S3000 i think is not good for learning photography?

Answer
The currently available, cheapest, Nikon camera is L23. However, if you are serious about photography, it can't help you. You have to go for a camera with manual controls (marked with P, A, S & M on mode dial). As far as I know, P300 may be the cheapest Nikon camera with manual controls.

http://www.dpreview.com/products/nikon/compacts/nikon_cpp300

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

Which Professional Video Camera Should i Buy?

canon digital camera in pakistan image

Wajahat A

i am not a professional film maker .... but i am in a situation where i have to record a TV show my self (with help of two friends) here in USA every week and send it to Pakistan to be aired on Television...basically i am suppose to Shoot few people sitting in park disssucing differnt issues, then we might ask people on street on their views ..its all out door shoots ...... and it should have a look and feel of a movie ... i have a high-end computer which i can use to eidt our videos , the aim is it should look professionally shot and to the standard of putting in on television...

i would like to know what is the best choice i have in terms on buying a camera under $4000.00 , which would give me a film like shooting and good voice? i know there are JVC , SONY , CANON miniDV HD camera's or P2 format ....people are talking about Canon XH A1 or Sony HVR-V1U or JVC Pro GY-HD200u , what else would i need other then the camera , in order to shoot this kind of footage, appricate any help

Answer
You have an excellent budget, so you have many excellent choices. I will give you my opinion. First, I will talk about formats. Assuming you want to go HD, the first and most common format is HDV. HDV utilizes miniDV tapes; its a very easy format to use, and also very practical. In the consumer division of camcorders, HDV is the obvious choice (for me at least) for 2 main reasons: 1) HDV is much less compressed than the AVCHD camcorders (hard drive, mini DVD, and SD flash media) and (2) HDV is compatible with all the best editing systems, while AVCHD is limited to a small number of programs.

Unfortunately, we cannot say the same about professional camcorders. Sure, HDV is much less compressed than consumer level hard disk formats, but it is still very compressed (too compressed for many professional filmmakers). Therefore, you may get slightly sharper footage on pro hard disk formats such as Panasonic's P2 card, or Sony's XDCAM. In that case, you may want to go with the Panasonic HVX200 or the Sony PMW-EX1. However, I still have problems with P2 and XDCAM. My major concern is that their complex media cards do not hold much (you may get 25 minutes on one XD SxS Card). Also, buying a replacement card isn't cheap, making these camcorders a real pain. HDV, on the other hand is much more practical, with miniDV cassettes only costing several bucks- even for the pro HD cassettes. In conclusion, I believe Hard disk formats such as the SxS card and the P2 card have a future in the digital filmmaking world, but right now, HDV is still more practical.

Now that I have discussed the pros and cons of formats, I will talk about camcorders. The best camcorder for you is probably the CANON XH-A1 for around $3,300. It is unexpectedly easy to use, very well built, and packed with features that make the XH-A1 rival camcorders much more expensive. It is an extremely popular model, and is regarded as one of the best camcorders, for its great balance between quality and value. My only problem with it is its lack of a REAL 24p mode (24p changes the native 30 frames per second, standard on digital camcorders to the 24 fps of film- it also gives the footage a softer, almost pleasingly grainy look that indie filmmakers desire). Instead, the XH-A1 has a feature called 24f, in which Canon claims to be identical to 24p. I have not put the 24f through its paces, so I cannot make that argument either way; I expect it to be almost, if not just as good. Either way, the XH-A1 may be your best choice.

Another camcorder that often fails to get the recognition it deserves is the JVC GY-HD200U for a bit over $4,000. It has all the elements of a good pro camcorder, but I was especially impressed with its picture quality. I usually don't go for JVC, but I believe this camcorder may have the best picture quality in the prosumer range, next to the Sony EX1 and Canon XL-H1. Another feature that sets the HD200U apart from most camcorders in its price range, is that it accepts interchangeable lenses.

Regarding your final question about additional accessories, I would look into a Shotgun Mic, a Pro Tripod with a Fluid Head (for smooth pans, etc), and a powerful editing system.
SHOTGUNS: Daniel K's suggestion to get an XLR mic is a good one. I recommend looking into mics such as the Sennheiser ME66 or the Rode NTG1 and NTG2- they are extremely popular among pros. They may seem a bit pricy, but in my opinion, a good mic is always worth the investment- a good mic will never become obsolete so they will still be just as good ten, even twenty years from now. Generally speaking, the quality of a mic is directly related to its price.

TRIPOD: Of course, when handling thousands of dollars in equipment, it may be a good idea to invest in a reliable tripod, especially one that supports your camcorder's weight. Also, look for one that has a fluid head for flawlessly smooth pans that gives you that professional look. Here is a link to a decent tripod that is a particularly good deal as it comes with attachable dolly legs- they aren't the best for dollys, but at least its a start.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/243272-REG/Davis_Sanford_PROVISTA7518_Pro_Vista_Tripod_with.html#goto_itemInfo

EDITING PROGRAM. With a professional 3-chip HD camcorder, you will probably be unsatified with consumer editing tools in cheapo programs. I found that consumer programs also give you much worse quality, so a good editing system may be just as important as the camcorder. In the professional world, the most-used systems is the Final Cut Pro by Apple (Macs only), and the Avid Media Composer (for Macs and PCs). In my opinion, the Avid systems are still a lot better...and if you are a student you can get them at an EXCELLENT value via student discounts. Its a $4,000 value at a discount of $295 at www.journeyed.com

Hope that helps!! Best of luck on you journey into the world of filmmaking!!!

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

Which Professional Video Camera Should i Buy?

canon digital camera in pakistan image

Wajahat A

i am not a professional film maker .... but i am in a situation where i have to record a TV show my self (with help of two friends) here in USA every week and send it to Pakistan to be aired on Television...basically i am suppose to Shoot few people sitting in park disssucing differnt issues, then we might ask people on street on their views ..its all out door shoots ...... and it should have a look and feel of a movie ... i have a high-end computer which i can use to eidt our videos , the aim is it should look professionally shot and to the standard of putting in on television...

i would like to know what is the best choice i have in terms on buying a camera under $4000.00 , which would give me a film like shooting and good voice? i know there are JVC , SONY , CANON miniDV HD camera's or P2 format ....people are talking about Canon XH A1 or Sony HVR-V1U or JVC Pro GY-HD200u , what else would i need other then the camera , in order to shoot this kind of footage, appricate any help

Answer
You have an excellent budget, so you have many excellent choices. I will give you my opinion. First, I will talk about formats. Assuming you want to go HD, the first and most common format is HDV. HDV utilizes miniDV tapes; its a very easy format to use, and also very practical. In the consumer division of camcorders, HDV is the obvious choice (for me at least) for 2 main reasons: 1) HDV is much less compressed than the AVCHD camcorders (hard drive, mini DVD, and SD flash media) and (2) HDV is compatible with all the best editing systems, while AVCHD is limited to a small number of programs.

Unfortunately, we cannot say the same about professional camcorders. Sure, HDV is much less compressed than consumer level hard disk formats, but it is still very compressed (too compressed for many professional filmmakers). Therefore, you may get slightly sharper footage on pro hard disk formats such as Panasonic's P2 card, or Sony's XDCAM. In that case, you may want to go with the Panasonic HVX200 or the Sony PMW-EX1. However, I still have problems with P2 and XDCAM. My major concern is that their complex media cards do not hold much (you may get 25 minutes on one XD SxS Card). Also, buying a replacement card isn't cheap, making these camcorders a real pain. HDV, on the other hand is much more practical, with miniDV cassettes only costing several bucks- even for the pro HD cassettes. In conclusion, I believe Hard disk formats such as the SxS card and the P2 card have a future in the digital filmmaking world, but right now, HDV is still more practical.

Now that I have discussed the pros and cons of formats, I will talk about camcorders. The best camcorder for you is probably the CANON XH-A1 for around $3,300. It is unexpectedly easy to use, very well built, and packed with features that make the XH-A1 rival camcorders much more expensive. It is an extremely popular model, and is regarded as one of the best camcorders, for its great balance between quality and value. My only problem with it is its lack of a REAL 24p mode (24p changes the native 30 frames per second, standard on digital camcorders to the 24 fps of film- it also gives the footage a softer, almost pleasingly grainy look that indie filmmakers desire). Instead, the XH-A1 has a feature called 24f, in which Canon claims to be identical to 24p. I have not put the 24f through its paces, so I cannot make that argument either way; I expect it to be almost, if not just as good. Either way, the XH-A1 may be your best choice.

Another camcorder that often fails to get the recognition it deserves is the JVC GY-HD200U for a bit over $4,000. It has all the elements of a good pro camcorder, but I was especially impressed with its picture quality. I usually don't go for JVC, but I believe this camcorder may have the best picture quality in the prosumer range, next to the Sony EX1 and Canon XL-H1. Another feature that sets the HD200U apart from most camcorders in its price range, is that it accepts interchangeable lenses.

Regarding your final question about additional accessories, I would look into a Shotgun Mic, a Pro Tripod with a Fluid Head (for smooth pans, etc), and a powerful editing system.
SHOTGUNS: Daniel K's suggestion to get an XLR mic is a good one. I recommend looking into mics such as the Sennheiser ME66 or the Rode NTG1 and NTG2- they are extremely popular among pros. They may seem a bit pricy, but in my opinion, a good mic is always worth the investment- a good mic will never become obsolete so they will still be just as good ten, even twenty years from now. Generally speaking, the quality of a mic is directly related to its price.

TRIPOD: Of course, when handling thousands of dollars in equipment, it may be a good idea to invest in a reliable tripod, especially one that supports your camcorder's weight. Also, look for one that has a fluid head for flawlessly smooth pans that gives you that professional look. Here is a link to a decent tripod that is a particularly good deal as it comes with attachable dolly legs- they aren't the best for dollys, but at least its a start.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/243272-REG/Davis_Sanford_PROVISTA7518_Pro_Vista_Tripod_with.html#goto_itemInfo

EDITING PROGRAM. With a professional 3-chip HD camcorder, you will probably be unsatified with consumer editing tools in cheapo programs. I found that consumer programs also give you much worse quality, so a good editing system may be just as important as the camcorder. In the professional world, the most-used systems is the Final Cut Pro by Apple (Macs only), and the Avid Media Composer (for Macs and PCs). In my opinion, the Avid systems are still a lot better...and if you are a student you can get them at an EXCELLENT value via student discounts. Its a $4,000 value at a discount of $295 at www.journeyed.com

Hope that helps!! Best of luck on you journey into the world of filmmaking!!!

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

I need a good digital camera?

canon digital camera in pakistan image

quetta_sa

I live in Pakistan, now i need a good digital camera. I can buy a camera in range of 100 dollar to 120 dallar.
Camera shoul make good quality movies and still amages.
What about Canon Powershot A470?
Please help me, it is my time for digital camera.

Answer
All of the major brands are good. Choose a brand that appeals to you. Then you have to think about getting a spare battery, what size memory card, if you want an extended warranty, how much you can afford, what size zoom, if you want manual controls, the size of the camera, finding a reliable place to purchase it, and the list goes on and on and on.......

The first thing to realize is that almost any digital camera will take good pictures. If more people would read the manual more than once, they would be able to take better pictures. Usually, the person assumes it is the camera when it could be them not knowing exactly what to do. Just give yourself more photographic knowledge by doing more reading on the internet.

I really believe buying a camera is an individual choice.
The person needs to read alot of reviews on cameras so they can decide on the features that they really want and need.
Go to the store and hold them so you can see if they feel comfortable in your hands. If possible, take some pictures in the store to check the quality of the pictures.
I can only give a suggestion of what to look for in a new digital camera.
Good Luck



my suggestion
go to this link for help
http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-camera-buying-guide/

Canon A800 is the Cheapest Compact Digital Camera by Canon but from Nikon Coolpix which is the Cheapest?

zulfiqar

I am Living in Pakistan so plz just advise the Model name i will check the Price Localy.. Now i have to just decide weather to buy Canon A800 or from Nikon? Sony DSC S3000 i think is not good for learning photography?

Answer
The currently available, cheapest, Nikon camera is L23. However, if you are serious about photography, it can't help you. You have to go for a camera with manual controls (marked with P, A, S & M on mode dial). As far as I know, P300 may be the cheapest Nikon camera with manual controls.

http://www.dpreview.com/products/nikon/compacts/nikon_cpp300

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

Which Professional Video Camera Should i Buy?

canon digital camera in pakistan image

Wajahat A

i am not a professional film maker .... but i am in a situation where i have to record a TV show my self (with help of two friends) here in USA every week and send it to Pakistan to be aired on Television...basically i am suppose to Shoot few people sitting in park disssucing differnt issues, then we might ask people on street on their views ..its all out door shoots ...... and it should have a look and feel of a movie ... i have a high-end computer which i can use to eidt our videos , the aim is it should look professionally shot and to the standard of putting in on television...

i would like to know what is the best choice i have in terms on buying a camera under $4000.00 , which would give me a film like shooting and good voice? i know there are JVC , SONY , CANON miniDV HD camera's or P2 format ....people are talking about Canon XH A1 or Sony HVR-V1U or JVC Pro GY-HD200u , what else would i need other then the camera , in order to shoot this kind of footage, appricate any help

Answer
You have an excellent budget, so you have many excellent choices. I will give you my opinion. First, I will talk about formats. Assuming you want to go HD, the first and most common format is HDV. HDV utilizes miniDV tapes; its a very easy format to use, and also very practical. In the consumer division of camcorders, HDV is the obvious choice (for me at least) for 2 main reasons: 1) HDV is much less compressed than the AVCHD camcorders (hard drive, mini DVD, and SD flash media) and (2) HDV is compatible with all the best editing systems, while AVCHD is limited to a small number of programs.

Unfortunately, we cannot say the same about professional camcorders. Sure, HDV is much less compressed than consumer level hard disk formats, but it is still very compressed (too compressed for many professional filmmakers). Therefore, you may get slightly sharper footage on pro hard disk formats such as Panasonic's P2 card, or Sony's XDCAM. In that case, you may want to go with the Panasonic HVX200 or the Sony PMW-EX1. However, I still have problems with P2 and XDCAM. My major concern is that their complex media cards do not hold much (you may get 25 minutes on one XD SxS Card). Also, buying a replacement card isn't cheap, making these camcorders a real pain. HDV, on the other hand is much more practical, with miniDV cassettes only costing several bucks- even for the pro HD cassettes. In conclusion, I believe Hard disk formats such as the SxS card and the P2 card have a future in the digital filmmaking world, but right now, HDV is still more practical.

Now that I have discussed the pros and cons of formats, I will talk about camcorders. The best camcorder for you is probably the CANON XH-A1 for around $3,300. It is unexpectedly easy to use, very well built, and packed with features that make the XH-A1 rival camcorders much more expensive. It is an extremely popular model, and is regarded as one of the best camcorders, for its great balance between quality and value. My only problem with it is its lack of a REAL 24p mode (24p changes the native 30 frames per second, standard on digital camcorders to the 24 fps of film- it also gives the footage a softer, almost pleasingly grainy look that indie filmmakers desire). Instead, the XH-A1 has a feature called 24f, in which Canon claims to be identical to 24p. I have not put the 24f through its paces, so I cannot make that argument either way; I expect it to be almost, if not just as good. Either way, the XH-A1 may be your best choice.

Another camcorder that often fails to get the recognition it deserves is the JVC GY-HD200U for a bit over $4,000. It has all the elements of a good pro camcorder, but I was especially impressed with its picture quality. I usually don't go for JVC, but I believe this camcorder may have the best picture quality in the prosumer range, next to the Sony EX1 and Canon XL-H1. Another feature that sets the HD200U apart from most camcorders in its price range, is that it accepts interchangeable lenses.

Regarding your final question about additional accessories, I would look into a Shotgun Mic, a Pro Tripod with a Fluid Head (for smooth pans, etc), and a powerful editing system.
SHOTGUNS: Daniel K's suggestion to get an XLR mic is a good one. I recommend looking into mics such as the Sennheiser ME66 or the Rode NTG1 and NTG2- they are extremely popular among pros. They may seem a bit pricy, but in my opinion, a good mic is always worth the investment- a good mic will never become obsolete so they will still be just as good ten, even twenty years from now. Generally speaking, the quality of a mic is directly related to its price.

TRIPOD: Of course, when handling thousands of dollars in equipment, it may be a good idea to invest in a reliable tripod, especially one that supports your camcorder's weight. Also, look for one that has a fluid head for flawlessly smooth pans that gives you that professional look. Here is a link to a decent tripod that is a particularly good deal as it comes with attachable dolly legs- they aren't the best for dollys, but at least its a start.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/243272-REG/Davis_Sanford_PROVISTA7518_Pro_Vista_Tripod_with.html#goto_itemInfo

EDITING PROGRAM. With a professional 3-chip HD camcorder, you will probably be unsatified with consumer editing tools in cheapo programs. I found that consumer programs also give you much worse quality, so a good editing system may be just as important as the camcorder. In the professional world, the most-used systems is the Final Cut Pro by Apple (Macs only), and the Avid Media Composer (for Macs and PCs). In my opinion, the Avid systems are still a lot better...and if you are a student you can get them at an EXCELLENT value via student discounts. Its a $4,000 value at a discount of $295 at www.journeyed.com

Hope that helps!! Best of luck on you journey into the world of filmmaking!!!

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