Replying to Looking at a new camera

i dont have a whole lot of money, but i was looking into the Sony HDR HC3 camera. it says its an HD camera, but still mini dv

i was also looking at the Panasonic GS500, which is mini dv, but 3ccd.

For the price, both of these sound veyr appealing to me, but im wondering if anyone here has used either of this cameras and would be able to give me some info on them.

but also, for the sony, would i need to buy hd mini dv tapes? which are hella expensive?

ok thanks