I wouldn't recommend a digital 8 camcorder if you are just getting into all of it. Go with mini-DV which gives you a lot more choices and variety without getting stuck with a Sony proprietary format that is not very popular.
Budget and seriousness is everything, but I WOULD recommend a Sony as they tend to have very good optics and build quality up through their 3 chip models and now they offer HD models which will simply blow the doors off of any home video you have ever seen.
Of course, you need pretty deep pockets for the nicer stuff.
If going inexpensive, I would stick with a Sony and not worry to much about anything other than OPTICAL ZOOM and that it is DV format with a firewire in/out port.