Best camera for importing HD video files native to FCP?

I am researching what type of HD video camera to buy. The goal is to have video material captured to a memory card or stick and have the resultant video files available for direct import into FCP. I have used rented cameras in the past where I had to go through a convoluted process of importing the video material into iMovie, and then exporting the material from that application, so that the video files were usable by FCP.
Any info on how to judge whether a camera will create files that can be imported directly would be very helpful. I have read, for example, that if the camera creates AVCHD files, you can't edit natively in FCP. I am looking for a camera that is relatively portable, and has image quality one notch below pro standards (to keep cost under $1,500 I hope.) Thank you in advance.

Hi again, Guys.
In this discussion, the consensus was that the Panasonic HMC-40 was a good choice at a modest price for shooting HD material that would be cut on FCP 7. Sadly, I neglected to say, when I started the discussion, that ideally I need to shoot both in the US and the UK. i.e. at 60 Hz and at 50 Hz respectively. When I researched the Panasonic HMC-40 I was told that it could not switch between 60 and 50 Hz. But that the next camera up COULD switch. That camera is the AG HMC 151 E. I was told this by a Panasonic rep in the UK. But the problem is that I would like to puchase the camera in the US. The US model is the AG HMC 150. And that model it seems DOESN'T switch between 60 and 50 Hz. It only shoots 60. (Why Panasonic has done this is a mystery to me.)
On a tech discussion group about HD shooting, one person said that the problem with shooting 60 Hz in the UK is mainly lighting, e.g. if you are shooting with florescent light in the UK, you might get flicker if you use a 60Hz camera in the UK. So my questions are:
1) If I am shooting in the UK with a 60 Hz camera (i.e. a camera I have purchsed in the US that is not switchable) what are the biggest problems?
Is it only if I were shooting in florescent light, or is the quality overall a big problem.
2) If I shoot 60 Hz but am shooting in the UK, can I use FCP to convert the 60 Hz materail to 50 Hz and will that solve any image problems?
3) Now that I have mentioned that I would like to be able to shoot in the UK and US with the same camera, but that I want to buy the camera in the US, does anyone have another recommendation of a camera that is in the $2,000. range that would serve this purpose and still create files that would work well in FCP 7?
Do Sony or Canon address this switchable 60/50 Hz issue more effectively than Panasonic? In the earlier discussion, it was noted that Panasonic cameras created files that were easiest to use with FCP.
I am sure I have said things here that reveal how unknowledgeable I am about shooting HD. But this will be my first camera purchase after having been an editor for over 10 years. Any advice most welcome, and thanks in advance.

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