What HD camcorder under £1K is best for airshows ?

Hi,
I am needing to go by users experiences here, just what camcorder to get for aiming at the sky and having user control over exposure and blurred props. ?…for killing wind noise but not sound quality.

Whilst I take stills I also wish to capture the sounds and motion of aircraft at shows like Duxford. I am surprised there is no section here on camcorders, where one could link to youtube the results, or even Key Publishing feature the footage. I would be hooked to it as would others I am sure. By the very nature of airshows its about motion as much as anything else. I hate seeing the silly frozen, slo mo or twisted props though, I need to see blur, 1/50 does it for me on my 8yr old camcorder.

Having used two camcorders in the past for such purposes, a Hi8 and then a MiniDv, both being around the £1000 mark, high end of amateur range, with full manual controls, I now need a digital HD one. I dont wish to go more than £700 ish but maybe will have to stretch to £1K. I want something that is not too big, convenient size, current one is 8 inches long and thats about ok with bag and batteries for lugging around !

Wind noise is the first issue, do camcorders now resolve that most dreaded of users experiences, the ruination of footage with wind noise ? I went over to using a Rode video mic, directional with furry cover. Kills wind noise and kids noises ! Causes camcorder to be buffeted and footage to tilt though ! A wind cut menu option from experience is no use, just dulls down everything !

Correct exposure for flying aircraft. What camcorder deals with that best ? Is centre weighted metering the best way (if it in fact exists on camcorders) or some form of backlight compensation ? DSLR’s that do video may be better at this metering thing, but their shortfall surely is what lens to fit to give wide angle to the equivalent of 15X zoom or better still 30X. A DSLR lense 18mm to 300mm cannot yield quality results but camcorders seem to manage it.

Just what zoom factor (optical) do I need for a Spitfire to fill the screen at Duxford ?

Filter screw thread and lens hood also essential !

A stills ability is also sought as it saves carrying around too much hardware ! I can take one device on holiday for both stills and video then. I hope if I get a 30X zoom optical I can better photos than my 200mm zoom lens gives on the DSLR.

Ability to film 20 mins continual or more also needed occasionally.

DBenz