As a professional videographer I'm not all that familiar with 'consumer' models with the exception of the PD 170, GL1 &2.
I use CANON XL 2 with a veritable slew of add on accessories and it's the type of hunt I'm on which dictate which accessories I put on, which lens to use, which model of support to use, tripod, etc. etc. etc.
the best advice I can always give to consumers is to NEVER be in a hurry to buy a camera. STUDY which models do what and how, have the most possible add on after market accessories, best warranty work, best dealer repoire (NOT REPAIR.....RESPOIRE)......and buy the best camera you can in your budget.
After that it's still STUDY, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, STUDY, PRACTICE....
Subscribe to VIDEOMAKER MAGAZINE. It is the BEST of the magazines on the market to teach CONSUMERS (John Q. Public) how to do almost PROFESSIONAL video.......hands down.
But like everything else it's going to take some investment, alot of practice and alot of learning.
It's now computer based technology which means the learning curve is continous and everyday..... and the new models will all have new bells and whistles that even us old pros have to learn!
Good luck and have fun.