Sony Handycam HDR-CX12

Pros: Excellent video quality

Cons: No mic input - you have to purchase their special mic that is power by the active interface shoe
No headphone jack - even if you purchase their mic, you can't hear what it sounds like!
Not compatible with Final Cut Pro

Summary: This is fine for average people, but definitely not for pros. I had to purchase an HD camera fast, and one that had an existing underwater housing. This one seemed the best, but I didn't pay enough attention to the audio set up. I can't believe Sony would produce a camcorder and label it as the HIGH end of the consumer cameras and not have a mic OR a headphone jack! MAJOR FAIL, SONY! I will be selling this camera as soon as I'm finished with the project I purchased it for, and then I will be purchasing a new HD camera from anyone other than Sony. For pete's sake, my old Hi-8 camera from Sony had fully-functioning audio inputs!