I need help buying a new camera and I would love your advice

Hello Media & Arts. I don't come in here very often. BUT, I need a new camera.

I currently have an hv30 (had it the past four or five years) but my brother will be using it a lot of the time. Originally I thought I would just buy another one (it would cost me about $200 - $250 used on eBay right now), but then i started thinking about how there has to be better stuff out there right now.

The Canon HV30 is GREAT, I LOVE IT, and it's very easy to use. I know it inside and out basically. But I start seeing all of these high quality edits from t3i's, 60d's, and stuff like that and it got me thinking.

Anyways, I looked at the "What camera do I buy" thread and filled out the answers:




1. My budget is about $700. I would like to spend less if possible, would POSSIBLY consider spending more if need be. I don't have that tight of a budget right now.

2. Experience. I've spent a lot of time around the camera, made tons of edits over the past 6 years or so. Had a little starter video cam, then a PV-GS500, and I've been using a Canon HV30 the past four or five years.

3. As for old gear, I have a tripod, and a scorpion cam handle, neither that I care too much about.

4. What will I be using a new cam for? Mostly skiing, but also documentary type stuff.

5. I think it would be great if I could hand the camera off to friends, but I would be doing most of the filming.

6. I tend to shoot a lot of follow cams, but I like to use tripods sometimes. I like to do a lot of close up shots for filler and such too.

7. I have a 2009 Macbook Pro that I will be doing most of the editing on. the comp has 4 gigs of ram, 2.26 GHz intel core 2 duo. should have decent space too.

8. Adobe Premiere Pro to edit. been using it for about 6 years.






So here's the deal. I know nothing about new cameras and stuff. I kinda just know the names of the cameras. I have not a single clue about lenses. I just know I want my videos to look awesome. Worth the money to buy a DSLR or no? Hard learning curve? I don't have a ton of patience or time to learn, but I'd probably be willing.

Thanks guys.