Reply to Interviewing Equipment. Camera's, Microphones etc.

As the title says I am now looking to purchase gear to do interviews/ Club Night reviews etc.
I have done this before but was always lucky enough to have my friends camera's and the radio station I worked for Recording gear .

I have now moved to Australia which is the other side of the world for me and looking to buy some new gear to video and audio record interviews and take pictures of the evening .

I want all the gear to be of good quality as I do not like to half ass things. I also want a photographer camera for personal use as well as I would love to take up photography as a hobby and so I can take interesting pictures while I am traveling about over here. Is there a camera that can act both as a video cam corder and photography and to a very good standard not altering the quality of either or?. Also can there be external audio gear plugged into these?

I apologise if this all sounds muddled but basically I want an on the road interviewing gear of good quality. I am willing to spend a bit of money on this but not break the bank.

Thanks in advance
M