ps you could get started with the zoom h1 ($90 on amazon) but it doesn't have xlr inputs:
http://www.samsontech.com/zoom/produ...-recorders/h1/
it does have miniplug mic in and stereo line in though. so you can expand a bit.
i use the h4n and it's pretty fucking great with and without mics---and with a field mixer it's fucking brilliant for video because the mixer provides good preamps, limiters, monitoring, etc (not the same as a studio mixer tho).