I need a new camera? - 1

I'm buying a 15-inch MacBook Pro ($1799). I'm in need of a new computer, & I'm interested in the iMovie since I've only worked with Windows Movie Maker. I'm not professional, but my passion is filmmaking. The problem is, my camera I have now has a video format of MP4. I need a camera, Canon or Nikon, that is compatible with the Mac computer (without needing a converter), HD video, and has rechargeable batteries. I don't care about the picture effects much because I already have a camera for picture taking. I just need a good working camera that isn't too high in price. I can afford a camera from $500 to about $850. I don't want to go past $850 to be honest. I've looked almost everywhere on the web, so if you can help me out that would be really great!

First, I'd like to mention that even though the Canon and Nikon cameras record great video, they are designed to for photography purposes. That being said, many filmmakers - including myself - own Canon (or Nikon) cameras for shooting film. I do not believe Canon or Nikon produce cameras under $850 that are ideal for filmmaking. However, other companies that specialize in videography do. My first video camera was (and I still have this camera) the Sony Handycam HDR-CX150.It's 1080 60i. The image quality is great. But the audio is not satisfactory and the fact that this camera shoots interlaced means that the de-interlacing process in post-production takes a lot of time. This camera cost me about $500.
My advice is that you consider buying an HD Cam-recorder - preferably one that shoots progressive and has a jack for external mic. Then buy a decent mic or audio recorder (Rode makes acceptable mics and Tascam RD-40 is a good substitute for Zoom H4N). Then buy basic lighting - if you are making homemade movies, you may be able to get away with lights bought from your local hardware store, some screens, and few gels.
The combination will give you great image, decent audio, and acceptable lighting. In short, you films will not look amateurish.

I hope this was helpful. I'll search the web and see if I can find a Canon or Nikon under $850 with ability to shoot video and, should I find one, I'll come back and post my findings.

There's nothing wrong with a camera capturing to MP4 format. If you need the video in a different format from what your camera produces, just transcode (convert) the captured video to a format that is more useful. I like HandBrake from www.handbrake.fr. MPEG Streamclip works well, too Check www.squared5.com.

Your short list of requirements qualifies most camcorders. Since you specified Sony or Canon, then look into the Canon HF M series. A mic jack and manual audio control will help improve your "film making" efforts and the current iMovie can directly import the AVCHD-compressed video from the camcorder over USB connection.

If you do not already have a tripod, Please consider getting one. For these entry-level consumer camcorders, there are several - none will have "fluid head" design. Lower compression is better, so I would prefer a Canon HV40 - but that will use a firewire connection - not USB.