Time to Learn about Cameras!

I've been trying to put together a system for recording live action video, as well as snapping camera shots in action. I suppose many different amateurs enjoy getting the lighting perfect on a still shot, or getting the perfect angle on a rosebud. I seem to be addicted to watching action. I love trying to catch just the right action shot with my horses, and now my interest has expanded to include recording moments from our students' high school football games.

So far, I've used a Cannon Sureshot 'point and shoot' camera with video capabilities. I went through a long period of bliss, before my expectations for performance outran the performance of my little camera. I made some changes, switched away from having every single setting on auto, and am now entering the world of manual settings. Now I'm contemplating a video recorder, with the idea that it might actually allow me to do a frame capture and have detailed photographs from the recorder itself.

What do you think? What is your favorite camera currently? Do you have any experience with video cameras?

My camera on automatic at football games:

















My camera once I took it off automatic and manually started setting the shutter speed and focus: