I am a filmmaker of sorts in my freetime. I have not taken video of touring. But i did make a full lenth film using a Panasonic PV-GS500. It was 700 back but that was several years ago, I think they go for 300 now. its a simple 3CCD mini dv camcorder weights a couple pounds and is pretty small. takes TV quality video. Get extra batteries for whatever camera you get. i have 2 4 hour batteries plus the stock 1 hour battery the camera came with. saved me many headaches. These are avalible pretty cheap on ebay.
Look into the panasonic PV-GS line of consumer grade 3CCD cameras they are probably pretty cheap now and would serve your purposes great.
HD is overkill. I feel that its a scam actually. Just a way for camera makers to push the new stuff on consumers when the old stuff is just fine for most consumers.
just my 2 cents
Last edited by mrhedges; 02-20-09 at 05:20 PM.