Affordable Video Camera with Decent Audio Capture?

[celesi]

I might be leaving the country (US) for a few months, and I'm looking at buying a camera to record the experience, and perhaps film a few class sessions with my instructors here in the states before leaving.

Looking to send videos home via youtube or another site, and may be performing cultural dances while over there.

Can anyone familiar with digital cameras tell me about good models and price points? I'd like to know what I'm looking for.

Sorry if this has been posted before, but the only thing I've found is about recording personal practice, which several people recommended higher quality for.

Any suggestions?

[sabrinabellydancer]

i just had a similar dilemma and did some research. imo most consumer model cameras don't have good audio pickup. try to find one that you can attach a directional external mic to (yeah, that ended in a preposition) or try to find a low cost used pro rig. otherwise you will capture tons of ambient noise at the same levels as your teacher.