for most low end cameras, you want to get mini dv. you can just pop in another tape and your good. most people will reccomend it. the only downside i think is capturing but whatever.
MiniDV tapes. Harddrive, memory stick and minidvds are all shit, the compress to the media with gross ass codecs. Only good non-tape media is P2 card but theres no way you can afford a camera that supports those.