A MiniDV camcorder is one that gets used a lot and is treasured by its owner. A DVD camcorder usually gets brought back to the store and exchanged for a MiniDV camcorder.

Hi,
Read the consumwer written reviews at cheapest prices search engine and if you don’t see your answer, just email any camcorder merchant and they will be more than happy to help you. You can even call them toll free free.

The difference between minidv and dvd camcorders is the type of recording media used. Minidv is tape based and the videos have to be transferred to the computer for editing and DVD authoring; and dvd is disc based. Here’s a helpful camcorder buying guide that explains it better:

DXG DXG-595V 5.0 Megapixel High-Definition Ultra Digital Video Camera
5.0 Megapixel Cmos Sensor
4X Digital Zoom
Resolution: 640 X 480 @ 30 Fps
Still Image Resolution: 4048 X 30440
2.0-Inch Flip-Out Lcd Screen

List Price: $249.99
Sell Price: $202.88 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping
reference:

Get a betamax VHS cassette cam corder with player!

Here you go for $500 . Go to b&h
Panasonic PV-GS320 3 CCD Mini DV Camcorder
Includes Free: MasterWorks DVD: Jumpstart Guide to Shooting and Producing Better Videos
Mfr# PVGS320 B&H# PAPVGS320
Its 3ccd mini dv tape. The best bang for the $
check it out. My friend researched for months 4 this camera he just bought last mo. He’s stoked.

Read alot before you get to the store; and for a camcorder do not buy the Extended warranty no matter how good the salesman is.

Really check out Sony and Hitachi on line. they were the best when I got mine 3 years ago

Well i have just the thing for you. My camcorder is a miniDV cannon ZR500 and I love it. it’s battery lasts a long time. Great picture. You can play it back on a T.V. or on the camcorder itself. Its small and practical but very stylish. It has one of those flip it over screens. Its very easy to use and not over priced. If you were to buy a camcorder that’s the one to get.

For you the most convenient will be HDD type camcorder. Don’t worry about the format (PAL or NSTC), because now a days most of the TVs support both the formats. You can use Sony DCR-SR-40.

To be completely honest with you, you will not be able to get fantastic results in a two in one.
On a camcorder, designed for video, you may be able to take pictures, but the quality will be quite low as the lens is simply not designed for the purpose.
On the other end of the scale, Digital SLRs such as the Nikon D90 take fabulous pictures, and have a movie feature, but the quality of the movie is quite low.

You are probably best to visit a store, and speak to someone who might be able to show you samples. What you buy will depend on exactly what you want to do with the photos.

From what you have said, I think a Camcorder would be best. There are a lot of different varieties, the best for what you are after is probably an SD cam, but make and model will depend on your own preference and price range.