Replying to Whats important to for at a video camera?

Im a noob in these things and I have looked in a lot of threads. I read that 3ccd is very good but than u are looking at camera around 1000 dollars.

But anyways I want to start filming especially for ski edits and stuff. I dont really now if its better to buy a cheap one for beginners or start with a more advanced camera... I will be filming most powder and some park.

So whats important for the lense?
And does megapixels mean much?
And u have to have mini-dv for editing right?
Nd what about optical and digital zoom?

Im sorry guys for the questions but I just want to learn something more about these things.