I have a Sony HXR-NX30u in my arsenal, and it has served me well. It would fall into your price range. It can capture 60 frames progressive, which can be slowed down to 40% speed in post for 24 FPS. Image quality if very good. Manual controls would be the only caveat, as they are all controled by a single fly-by-wire wheel, with a button in the middle of it to select which function to control at that time. But at your price range, I would say this is your best option, if you don't want to go DSLR.
