I would buy a used camera in that price range. The trend in the past few years has been to shrink CCD sizes and add useless bells and whistles instead. That is why older Hi8 camcorders take better video than newer mini digital video camcorders.
A used Sony VX2000 would be a good choice. If that is too expensive a used Sony TRV38 Digital 8 camcorder would work well.
I have two sons with GS120 and GS150 respectively. They are terrible in low light and don't take better pictures than my analog Sony TRV85 did which only had a 1/4 CCD.

John

A used camera would probably be best if you could find a good one. Panasonic also just introduced the GS300 and the GS500 at around $700 and $1000, respectively.

The new model names seem to be confusing people, they are not replaced for the 250 and the 400, but seem to be replacements for the 150 and 400.

If you can't get a good used camera, I would look into buying the GS300 from a place that will let you take it and try it out in low light. You also may want to look into a video light.

You will not find a 1/6" CCD camera with good low light. It is physically impossible so forget it. As Craftech points out, the older analog cameras with 1/4" CCD’s had much better low light capability than the newer digital ones.

I have a Panasonic GS200 and the quality is outstanding (but not in low light). I’m sure the newer GS250 is the same. When I bought it, I went into Circuit City and compared it against every camcorder they had in the same price range and the 3CCD’s blew away all of the 1 CCD cameras with respect to color reproduction.

The reason I got the GS200 model was because I wanted a manual focus ring. With the lower GS120/150 models you have to focus using the menu! This is absolutely useless. I also wanted manual control of white balance and iris which I don’t think the lower models have either. What you want to look for is a 3 CCD camera with as large a CCD and as much manual control and physical buttons/dials (not menus) that control it as possible.

I agree with the others. If you are thinking of going into business, get a good used prosumer camera. You can get a used Sony VX2000 for around $1500.

[Edit] I see that the Panasonic GS500 has 1/4" CCD's. It might be worth looking into. With a list price of $999 it might have a street price close to your price range.

~jr

CTJ,
I would second the the idea of finding a good used VX2000 or equivalent. There are more and more available now that HDV has caught on. I personally am looking to get rid of my VX2000 and accessories now that I have an FX1. Its been sitting in its box unused for a year now. PM me if you have any interest. I'll probably put it on ebay soon , but I would prefer not to go that rout if possible.
Greg

If all you are going to shoot is one, two, or possibly more weddings, I am not so sure that I would fork out that kind of money for something that you might use more than once. I would find out for sure if this is something you want to do before spending $ on it.

I would recommend getting a couple of used ones off ebay or somewhere that you can spend less on them due to them being used and older models. (of course, look for a reputable seller).
With these cameras, shoot your wedding and see if this is something that you want to invest in. If so, you "invested" around 500 bucks or so for a couple of cameras instead of almost double that amount for one. You also get to see if this is something that peaks your interest and then decide on getting "better" equipment. I would not be so gung-ho about going out and buying things to start a business when you don't even know if this is something you will be pursuing. (a lot of people go into debt this way).
I am not saying that you don't know what you want to do or that you don't have a passion for this sort of thing, but what I am saying, is make sure that do know before spending the money to only find out you wasted it.
Used and older is better as you don't take the money hit and you get to see if you want to pursue this. Just my thoughts.

j razz

The reason I got the GS200 model was because I wanted a manual focus ring. With the lower GS120/150 models you have to focus using the menu!

This is one of the reasons I say the GS300 is not the replacement to the 250, but to the 150. There is a joystick doohickey for focus.

Apparently there is also the GS180, but again, that is the replacement for the gs65. I would not consider that model.

No, I will be shooting several weddings as well as events...the passion is there. I have shot several weddings with my existing camera mainly free or low charge. Moreover, I have done several montages for people. So, the camera would get used quite a bit.
I forsee implementing a business...

I appreciate all the info. and thoughts, keep them coming...knowledge is King!

CTJ,
I would second the the idea of finding a good used VX2000 or equivalent. There are more and more available now that HDV has caught on. I personally am looking to get rid of my VX2000 and accessories now that I have an FX1. Its been sitting in its box unused for a year now. PM me if you have any interest. I'll probably put it on ebay soon , but I would prefer not to go that rout if possible.
Greg
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Greg,
Why not just post the asking price in this thread? I'll bet someone on the forums will want to buy it for sure.
John

I didn't want to thread hijack. My VX2000 is in excellent shape with very low record hours on it (<30 hours) and all of the original accessories. I would want to sell my Canon wide angle lens and 13 filters with it as it doesn't fit my FX1. $1200 for the whole package.
Greg