For future proofing, I would initially suggest a High Definition camcorder, but this is both out of your price range and not necessarily future proof for the next 5 years given the state of change. Prices start at just over £1,000 for HDV and just under this amount for HDAVC.
DVD camcorders are fine and dandy if you don't want to edit your footage on a PC, but things tend to get complicated when you want to. It's not impossible, but harder to edit than miniDV footage.
Which leads me to miniDV cameras. Now a mature technology, you get the benefits of ease of use and low prices for what is now a proven, reliable technology.
I would therefore suggest a
Panasonic PV-GS300