What is the best inexpensive handheld video camcorder?

What is the best inexpensive camcorder that shoots high quality video and I can take everywhere?

• I want to make short movies with it. I already shot shortmovies. But always with borrowed cams and I always had investors. Now I want to do some just for myself. I know how to light and I know which lightning set I want to buy. I even read several books about this topic. But I just want to decide - what camcorder should I buy? Maybe a more modern version of the playsport zx5. I loved this camcorder but lost it.

• Answer:

  I'd go for a DSLR camera.  They have large sensors that give you great image quality.  I'm not sure what your budget is, but there's a lot of professional work that's done with these multipurpose machines.  Also, you may want to consider a mirrorless camera, which has a bit more portability.  Here's a review that goes over those two options:  http://www.tomsguide.com/us/dslr-vs-mirrorless-cameras,news-17736.html You're probably going to want a decent tripod and mount too, and of course, lenses, so be aware that this might not be a very cheap option, depending on what quality you want. But I don't have one of these.  I have a camcorder.  I went with a Canon Vixia.  Going with the latest model of those will leave you pretty happy for low-end consumer quality productions.  Just make sure what you're recording is very well lit.  Otherwise you'll have to expect grainy/noisy video.