Looking for AV/in AND external mic input

I don't know of any. However, what type of microphone are you wanting to use? What is it about the camera audio capture you don't like? Whatever that answer is, I highly doubt an inexpensive add-on mic will solve anything. It may even make the situation (audio capture) worse. About the only thing a mic input on an inexpensive camcorder would be good for is a wireless lavalier. However, if using a lavalier, then you won't have any other audio other than the person wearing the microphone.

Mike

Well, there are a million reasons to use external microphones! But audio recording is a science all it's own. In essence, you are correct, you need to have the microphone as close to the "subject" as possible. And different microphones have different purposes and pick up patterns. However, in the sub $1000 event sound recording department you are, in my opinion, better off sticking with the on camera microphone. Once you have done some family editing and know what you want to accomplish you can set a budget and revisit the question. There are devices that will plug into a microphone mini-jack ( http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=224231 &is=REG&addedTroughType=search) and allow you to use better (XLR connections) microphones. This would allow you to mix two different audio sources or the same source with 2 different pick up patterns. Again, on a consumer level I would still use caution since you can mix the levels prior to sending it to the camcorder but the camcorder is going to give you two identical tracks meaning you couldn't split the 2 microphones in post. Of course not all camcorders behave this way- but I imagine all camcorders under $1000 do!

Mike