thinking of buying a camcorder HD - any suggestions

The sony MHS is a great option. It's small and light weight. It is affordable with a price range of $130 to $200. The Sanyo VPC is another great option. However, probably the best option is the Pansonic line. There is one attached to give you an idea.

I am excited to present you with a variety of HD Camcorders. Record HD MP4 video and 5.0MP still images with the Sony Webbie HD camera. The ultra-compact and lightweight Webbie HD™ camera also features pre-installed PMB portable software that allows you to pre-select video and images in the camera and directly upload them to your compatible PC and your favorite Internet sharing site. It also features a 5x optical/20x digital zoom, allowing you to focus in on the action, and a 2.5 in. (diagonal) LCD screen to look over your shots.

• MP4 Multimedia - This popular media format compresses the size of your audio and video, making your files small enough to easily upload to sites like Photobucket® or YouTube™.
• 5.0MP CMOS Image Sensor - The integrated CMOS sensor enables the Webbie HD™ camera to take sharp still images in addition to HD MP4 video.
• Individual "Movie" & "Still" Buttons / Dual Capture - Seamlessly switch from video recording to still photo capture with a single press, or capture both simultaneously with Dual Capture.
• Picture Motion Browser (PMB) - This pre-installed software makes it easy to upload videos and images from the camera to a compatible PC and popular Internet sharing sites.
• Memory Stick PRO Duo™ Compatible - Record video and still images directly to Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media (sold separately) for easy, convenient transfers.
• 2.5 in. LCD Swivel Screen - The Webbie HD™ camera features a large LCD that swivels up to 270 degrees. Plus, when the LCD is opened, the Webbie HD camera powers on almost instantly.
• Compact Size - Approximately 1.7 in. wide by 2.4 in. tall, the Webbie HD camera is small enough to fit in your pocket.
• Stereo Audio Recording - Stereo Audio enhances your viewing experience by letting you record and playback your favorite moments with full, rich stereo sound.
• Connections - The USB 2.0 Interface lets you connect your camera to your computer for fast media transfers; A Multi-AV terminal connects the Webbie HDto a television for easy playback.
• Resolution - With the Webbie HD camera, you can record and playback in either High Definition (1440x1080/30p, 1280x720/30p) or Standard Definition (640x480/30p) format.