I'm wondering what company makes affordable but good camcorders?

You can't go wrong with any of these, they are the best in what they are! ; )

Best mini:If you want a simple-to-use camcorder you can slip into your pocket, reviewers overwhelmingly recommend the Pure Digital Flip Mino. It shoots mediocre video (good enough for a YouTube clip, reviews say, but you wouldn't want to videotape your wedding on it) and it is devoid of all but the most basic features. But experts and users love its simplicity; they say it's so easy a child can easily master it.
Best full-feature camcorder: If you're in the market for a full-size, standard-definition digital camcorder, critics say the Canon ZR900 is the best value. Reviews say it offers fewer features than some more expensive camcorders in its class. However, compared to mini camcorders like the Pure Digital Flip Mino (*est. $150), the ZR900 is laden with features, including a microphone jack. The ZR900 also performs better than mini models in tests,

Best undewater:  
Sanyo Xacti VPC-E1
pros
    * Waterproof to 5 feet
    * Impressive underwater sound
    * Better still photos than most digital camcorders
    * Imports video directly to iTunes
cons
    * Mediocre performance on dry land
    * Expensive, considering the video quality