I'm looking to get a camcorder. The Canon ZR40 looks like it might be the ticket. It's inexpensive, reasonably good video quality (or so they say), and doesn't bother with a memory card for digital stills. Considering I already have a Canon G2 still camera, I don't need to be able to take photo stills in my camcorder.

Would the ZR40 be the best bang for the buck? Other models/brands? My needs for a camcorder are modest since I wouldn't be using it a whole lot, but one thing I definitely do need is an AV input, since I want to covert some of my old VHS tapes to digital. This is a make or break feature - if I can't convert my old VHS tapes then I don't want the camcorder. Another bonus is that it seems to take the same batteries as my Canon G2.

Link to ZR40MC: http://www.canondv.com/zr40/index.html
Comparison with other Canon models: http://www.canondv.com/zr40/compare.html

The only other Canon in my price range that I might consider upgrading to is the ZR50MC, because it allows for more accessories. The Optura 200MC costs too much and is overkill for my purposes.

Specs:
Power supply (rated): 7.4 V DC (Battery) 9.5 V DC (DC IN)
Power consumption: 3.1 W (using viewfinder), 3.9 W (using LCD screen)
Television system: EIA standard (525 lines, 60 fields) NTSC color signal
Video recording system: 2 rotary heads, helical scanning system DV system (Consumer digital VCR SD system). Digital component recording
Audio recording system: PCM digital sound - 16-bit (48 kHz/2 ch.) 12-bit (32 kHz/4 ch.)
Image sensor: 1/6" CCD (charge coupled device) approx. 460,000 pixels (approx. 290,000 effective pixels)
Tape format: Videocassettes bearing the MiniDV mark
Tape speed: SP: 3/4 ips (18.81 mm/sec.) LP: 1/2 ips (12.56 mm/sec.)
Maximum recording time (with an 80-min. cassette): SP: 80 min. LP: 120 min.
Fast forward/rewind time: 2 min. 20 sec. (with a 60-min. cassette)
Lens: f/1.6 - 2.9, 18x power zoom, 2.8 - 50.4 mm
Focusing system: TTL autofocus, manual focusing possible
Minimum focusing distance: 3 ft. 3 3/8 in. (1 m), 3/8 in. (1 cm) on maximum wide angle
Maximum shutter speed: 1/8,000 sec.
Minimum illumination: 0.5 lx using the Night program during tape recording
Recommended illumination: More than 100 lx
Filter diameter: 30.5 mm
Viewfinder: 0.44 in., color LCD (approx. 113,000 pixels)
LCD screen: 2.5 in. measured diagonally(approx. 112,000 pixels)
Microphone: Stereo electret condenser microphone
DV terminal: Special 4-pin connector (based on IEEE 1394)
Video terminal: 1 Vp-p/75 ohms unbalanced
S-video terminal: 1 Vp-p (Y signal), 0.286 Vp-p (C signal)
Audio terminal: Input level: -10 dBV/40 kohm, unbalanced. Output level: -10 dBV, less than 3 kohms, unbalanced
Operating temperature range: 32 - 104º F (0 - 40º C)
Dimensions: 2 1/4 x 4 x 5 1/4 in. (57 x 102 x 134 mm)
Weight: 1 lb. 2 1/2 oz. (525 g)