Camera's

Webcams
If your just starting out and don't want to spend much money then webcams are a good place to start, I would think most are compatible with all of the different types capture software.  Your best of getting one with manual focus otherwise it'll refocus on every frame.

Digital Cameras
Some compact cameras in the "Canon powershot" range will connect to Stop Mo Pro and Dragon Frame, they have them listed on there sites so you can check on there - use the DragonFame site it's easier and what works for one will work for the other.  I can't say for the other capture software though.

The best way to go is to use DSLR type camera's.  What your though is one that will give a "live view" again SMP and Dragon Frame list all compatible types.  Canon are the most popular, or there's Nikon's which tend to be more expensive, or Olympus.

The professional way is to use a high end Canon camera camera body such as the Canon EOS 1D mark 3 with a Nikon Nikkor Lens connected by a lens adaptor.

The Nikkor is an older type of lens which can't be controlled by the camera, - which is good because it cuts out any chance of the camera adjusting the settings on each frame. But it also has a manual type of aperture control with an aperture ring inside which closes every time the shutter goes.  This can be bad as even the tiniest microscopic change of size in the ring can slightly alter the light coming through the lens and cause a constant flickering in your film.
Fortunately as well as connecting the camera to the lens, the adaptor also stops this ring closing and opening on each shot and just holds it in the same  place.



The Cheapest of the all the DSLR cameras with live view is the Canon Rebel T range, starting with the Canon 450D, then 500D, the 550D etc.  The 450D is no longer being produced but you should be able to pick one up second hand for around £150.  At the moment the 600D is probably the best bargain new coming in at around £500 including a lens.

If you want to use the electronic Canon lens just make sure you turn off all the automatic settings - auto focus, auto white balance, etc.  The aperture and the film speed will be controlled through the capture software.

The cheapest Nikon seems to be the D5000 or the D5100 at about £400, then the D90 for a bit more.

Lens sizes
The 3 most useful lens sizes are 24mm, 50mm, and 85mm.  24mm is the widest therefore good for wide shots, 85mm is the narrowest and so good for close ups.  If you only want to buy one try and get a zoom that covers these sizes - so 18mm - 100mm would be fine.  Also a lens which has "macro" facility could come in handy - this allows you to put the camera right up against what your shooting and focus on an extreme close up.