Let the hive mind of Engadget get that for you.
"I'm pretty much a complete noob when it comes to camera stuff. My wife loves to take pictures, though. So much so that she literally wore out her first point and shoot camera, and the Kodak Z712 I bought for her less than two years ago is starting to act up as well. To compound the matter, we are expecting our first born sometime next year. I fear the Kodak just isn't going to cut it any longer. What would be the best starter DSLR to get? She hates missing photo opportunities due to camera 'lag' so speed would definitely be at the top of the list. Photo quality and features would be next. Price should be no more than $800. I'm not interested in video capabilities."
Actally, this movie was NOT shot entirely with HD cameras. Zodiac, the upcomming David Fincher movie is officially the first to do so. Google or IMDB it for youself. I know for a fact that Mr. Mann used film for some of the helicopter shots and also for a few fast moving shots (very high framerates, which HD cannot do). They did use the Thompson Viper for most of it though....even destroying a few of these half million hd cams in speedboat scene accidents.