Looking for Camcorder or Video Recording DSLR That Meets Detailed Needs

Question

I do apologise for asking a question that may have been answered but whose answer I have not been able to find. I think once you read my requirements you may understand why.
I am looking at being able to take video of places I go to. In the past I have used my semi pro camera system to take photos and to make movies from these with added music. Over time I am wishing that I had also taken a camcorder to record those memorable occasions which are fading in my mind.
I am looking for a camera that will meet the following requirements: -
1. HD 720P (do not like interlaced)
2. Final Cut Express editable
3/ Probably want flash memory (internal/external or external). Reason for this is that camera will be taken around in light aircraft, helicopters, 4 wheel drive vehicles, through desert, jungle, bush as well as normal circumstances.
4/ Want 720P or 1080P (1080P unlikely except in pro camera).
5/ Want to be able to use filters on camcorder lens.
6/ I like a proper view finder (but I wear glasses) as quite often in bright light external screens are not visible. But I also want to have a separate, rotatable screen for hip level and above head level filming. Must be bright enough to view in desert sunlight.
7/ Wish to be able to add a omnidirectional stereo mike or, a unidirectional mike.
8/ Either have a battery that allows for about eight hours recording a day, or have a swappable battery option.
9/ Be able to record in low light situations (in side cathedrals, cave entrances, sun set and sun rise)
10/ Be capable of being able to record wildlife at distances of up to 500 metres or more. I do not like digital zoom, preferring to use optical zoom.
11/ Being able to record fast moving objects (cheetahs to aircraft)
12/ Being able to transfer data to a backup storage device whilst travelling. This may not be feasible.
13/ Being able to play back what has been recorded to review all.
Now here is a problem. I am limited in budget (approximately £1200 to £1500), and also do not enjoy carrying suitcases around with me. Suitcases go missing an awful lot. I tend to travel with a carry on bag weighing up to 12 kg (including camera system & backup device).
If there were a digital SLR camera I might go for something like that (e.g. Panasonic DMC-GH1). Problem with this camera is that it records in AVCHD at the top levels and at Motion JPEG for 720p and below. The GH1 wraps its 24 fps movies in an interlaced 60 fps file. It is possible to use the Motion JPEG codec, though you have to drop the resolution to 1280 x 720 (at 30 fps), and deal with a 2GB file size limit. Would love to use my existing Nikkor lenses, but again not necessary.
I do understand I am unlikely to get such a system in my price range, but what is the closest system on the market, or coming soon that meets my requirements (whether DSLR with video or Camcorder which means I still carry my DSLR).
Thank you very much for taking the time to read all this.

Answer 1

Evening Tom,
Thanks for your response. What I am able to tell you about the Panasonic DMC-GH1 is: -
It can record full high definition motion pictures compatable with the AVCHD format or motion pictures recorded in Motion JPEG.
Audio will be recorded in stereo and Dolby Digital Stereo Creator format.
In AVCHD there are a number of possible settings. In all cases the aspect ratio is 16:9.
1/ FHD = 1920 x 1080 pixels, 17 Mbps, 50 frames per second interlaced (sensor output is at 25 fps)
2/ SH = 1280 x 720 pixels, 17 Mbs, 50 frames per second progressive (sensor output is 50 fps)
3/ H = 1280k720 pixels, 13 Mbps, 50 frames per second progressive (sensor output is 50 fps)
4/ L = 1280k720 pixels, 9 Mbps, 50 frames per second progressive (sensor output is 50 fps)
In Motion JPEG the possible settings are
1/ HD = 1280 x 720 pixels at 30 fps and an aspect ration of 16:9
2/ WVGA = 848 x 480 pixels at 30 fps and an aspect ration of 16:9
3/ VGA = 640 x 480 pixels at 30 fps and an aspect ratio of 4:3
4/ QVGA = 320 x 240 pixels at 30 fps and an aspect ratio of 4:3
AVCHD Movies can be recorded continuously for up to 29 minutes 59 seconds. Motion picture recorded continuously in MOTION JPEG the limit is up to 2 GB (approximately 8m 20 seconds) in any one scene.
Regards,
Hval