alphageek wrote ...
What is the best 3-Chip MiniDV cam on the market?
Or, should would Digital 8mm be the better way to go?

Assuming you are asking about the quality of the camera
part of the camcorder, the tape format (DV vs. D8) has
nothing to do with the "quality". In fact DV and D8 use
the same encoding. Only the physical tape properties are
different.

However, note that D8 is at the end of its lifespan and
the chances of finding a better camera on a D8 camcorder
are slim-to-none. DV (and the pro versions DVCAM, and
DVCpro) are where virtually all of the action is.

OTOH, if you are asking what is the best 3-chip camcorder,
there are so many out there that you need more qualifiers
to get any kind of useful response. There are some very good
3-chip camcorders that likely cost more than your car, for
example.