Semi-pro full HD video camera (or camcorder) around US$500?

I'm starting to develop an interest in making music videos and short "featurettes" and would like to buy a nice enough camera for that purpose. I've researched a little about 3-chip cameras, 3mos, shallow depth of field etc, so I'm considering something like a Nikon D3200.
I'm hoping a more knowledgeable person will show me other options.

Thanks in advance!

Added (1). Thanks guys for the input, so you'd recommend buying a $300 camcorder instead of a $600 dSLR?
The Vixia looks great, but I saw some great videos shot with dSLRs in cameralabs.com. I definitely won't be buying a 6000-dollar camera anytime soon (not even a US$1000 for that matter, I'm a musician looking for a hobby).

Why on earth would you buy a DSLR to record videos? DSLRs are still image cameras; their manufacturers threw gimmicky video features onto them so they could increase their profits.

A semi-pro camcorder will cost you quite a bit more than $500.

The Vixia HF R300 is a good entry-level HD camcorder. Sony and Panasonic also make great camcorders.

The "something like D3200" costs $700 and is an entry level dSLR which only has a video feature.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/camcorders/cam-cam.shtml

You need to up your budget and get something like the Panasonic AG-HPX255

http://www.panasonic.com/...HPX255.asp

Or Panasonic AG-HPX370

http://www.panasonic.com/...HPX370.asp

These are the type cameras used by the music video producers that rent our studio from time to time. For the most part, they rent the cameras they use.