Camera for video and pictures?

I'm interested in purchasing a camera that takes high quality pictures but has a video feature as well.
I was leaning towards purchasing the Nikon d50, but then I realized I would need to take videos with my camera as well (and the d50 doesn't have a video feature as far as I know). I'll be taking pictures of mostly country scenery and village lifestyle. What would be your recommendations? My budget is around $700.

If video is important, then a camcorder is preferred. It is designed to capture video. And audio. Capturing still images is a secondary "convenience feature".

If stills are important, than use a still image capture device. Like a dSLR. Capturing video (and audio) is a secondary "convenience feature". For example, if you read the documentation available for download from the dSLR manufacturer's web sites, you will find they typically will overheat when capturing video "for prolonged periods" (about 15 minutes maximum) and stop video capture until it cools down (takes a long time)… Or… Check their built-in (mono) mic and no (or extremely limited) manual audio control. This means no stereo without an external mic and adding something like a XLR adapter (~$350) to plug into the stereo audio input + use the audio gain controls… Or… Use an external audio recording device like a Zoom H2, H2n, H4n and take the extra steps to import and sync the audio when editing…

Basically you end up spending more money and time you would not spend if you use the tool designed for the task.

I'm not saying dSLRs can't capture good video - they can - but they can't be treated like a camcorder and they can't replace a camcorder. There are workarounds for lots of things that you normally don't need to worry about when using a camcorder…

For $700, you get into something in the Canon HF M series (maybe the still image convenience feature is good enough) or some sort of dSLR (Canon T3i?)with video as a convenience feature + a lens.

Remember to include a tripod or other steadying device, case, high capacity battery from the device manufacturer (the one in the box won't last very long) video light or flash, and a couple of mics (for video).

Definitely get the Canon t3i. Its an awesome camera for both videoing and taking of photos. It has a real good video quality with lots of clarity. It records at 24 frames per seconds which is very good.
See some videos below as well as photographs that the t3i took:
Videos
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Images
*http://web.canon.jp/imaging/eosd/samples/eos600d/

See Canon Rebel T3I here >> http://www.amazon.com/...eonlsto-20

Or if that t3i is out of your budget. Get the Nikon D5100>> https://www.amazon.com/...004V4IWKG/