There really is no perfect camera within the budget range you have stated. EX-1 and EX-3 have jello issues due to CMOS chips, HVX200 and HPX170 are not as sharp as Canon, all the other Sony's and the XH-A1 use HDV compression, and the XL-H1 and XH-G1 can bypass the HDV codec through HD-SDI but you would need to be tethered to a desktop or laptop. Soon there will be Scarlet which will offer up some interesting possibilities. I considered many of these when I purchased the A-1 and I've been delighted with my decision. I've also been delighted with Prospect HD and would definitely recommend at least Aspect or Neo for anyone dealing with HDV on a regular and/or constant basis. I'm also encouraged by the resale prices I'm seeing for the A-1 which indicate that they tend to hold their value. That makes upgrading down the line much less painful.

Hey Ralph, one A-1 user posted this http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/xh-series...tml#post975621 in the A-1 clips section. Kinda says it all for me!

Hey Ralph, I hope I'm not too late to chime in here but I did exactly what you're mentioning. I'm no pro by all means I have only been doing Still Photgraphy for about 19 months total. I do nothing but wildlife, mostly birds in flight. I made the jump into HD Video a couple months ago with a Canon XHA1. Here are my observations thus far, please take from them what you fnd useful, if anything.
1-There is a definite lack of information available when comparing Still Imaging to Video, epecially HD Video. I attribute this to how new HD is.
2-While some aspects (not many I have found in my case) from Still Imaging will help your transition into Video, it is a whole new ball game.
3-This forum, DVi, is the best source of help and info available.
4-Get ready to learn an entirely new language and sharpen up your comuter skills.
I hope this helps Ralph, good luck!
Tim