I wanted to ask this because sometimes you can find cameras going for less because they may have problems with sound. But I'm getting the impression that it's commonplace to use something like a portable DAT recorder with separate mics anyway. So for film-making purposes, if the camera's sound-handling is defective in some way, does this matter?
Yes. If the camera's sound-handling is defective in some way, it matters.
But the issue isn't with the audio recording capabilities of the camera, or
even the mic in the camera. The issue is mic placement.
Most cameras have fine audio recording capabilities. When a good shotgun
mic is plugged into an XLR input and held close to the actors using a boom,
the audio recorded directly into the camera can be very good.
Then come all the variables. Few DV cameras have XLR inputs so you're
working with a "miniplug" and many cameras don't even have a mic input.
But using the miniplug with a good shotgun mic placed close to the actors
is a very viable way to get good audio.
For most no budget shorts being made it isn't commonplace for filmmakers
to use a separate audio recorder. However, using an audio recorder is
commonplace on most other movies.
So if you have found a camera for less because it may have problems with
sound and that's the camera you want to buy, then you will need to spend
more money to get a separate audio recorder like a DAT. Often it's less
expensive to buy a camera with a mic input (even a miniplug) and a good mic,
than a cheaper camera, a good mic and an audio recorder.