Yes, this is another one of those threads! I'll be studying abroad in Japan for one year starting later this fall, and I've recently gotten into filmmaking.

It all started when I took a film class at my University just for fun and I ended up making a final class project that the class and professors really liked. I really enjoyed making it and felt like it was something I was "born to do."

I'd like to make a documentary about life in America to show to Japanese people when I get there, and while I'm in Japan I'd like to make some documentaries and possibly a short film.

My main inspiration for this was a short film I saw called "Doki Doki" directed by Chris Eska. He shot it in Japan for a very low budget. http://www.chriseska.com

Should I buy a prosumer camera in the $2000-3000 range, or should I just buy a $500-700 camcorder? I know that I have very little chance of any of my shorts or docs making it at film festivals, but I don't want to waste this 1-year opportunity in Japan on a cheap camera, either...

Here's three camera's that I'm looking at:

Panasonic AG-DVX100A
http://www.expresscameras.com/prodetails.asp?prodid=58636&start=1

Sony HDR-FX1 3-CCD HDV
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00068JKR0/qid=1123312426/br=1-13/ref=br_lf_p_13/103-7919083-7282242?v=glance&s=photo&n=172431

Sony PD170
http://www.usaphotonation.com/products.asp?product_id=10501

Which do you reccommend I should buy? Also, what about shotgun mics and various lenses and such? What's a "wide angle" lens? I know you've gotten millions of these questions before, but I would greatly appreciate everyone's help.

- Shake