or you can get a DVC30 for around 400-450 if you would be willing to use tapes or a vx1k
I highly doubt you're getting a DVC30 for 400. And if you're looking at ebay, you can't go off of prices because they always skyrocket right before the timer ends. the buy it nows are almost always 600+.
Panny SD9
Sanyo Fh1a
Canon HF10/100/11/20/200
Canon HV-series
Pretty much anything by panasonic or canon will get the job done. Sanyo's FH1a just so happens to be a large sensor and high mbps. The manual settings aren't the greatest but it's a good point-and-shoot.
If you wanna be legit...
TRV900/950 (footy like a VX, basically)
Panasonic GS-series (footy like a GL/DVC/DVX, basically)
Good manual settings, user-friendly, good colors and such. They run miniDV tapes which is usually a bitch but you'll get used to it quickly.
DSLR..
Panasonic GH1 is your only option. That's without ANY lenses or anything. Not worth it at all.