Don't know if you are US or UK, but for PAL the Sony Handycam HDR-HC9E is ok. about 400-500 British Pounds. Cheaper is Canon MD235 Camcorder for around 200 British pounds. I've used both of these as basic cams with first year BA film students and both are pretty good. External mics are a bit more problematical, depending on what you want to record.