Good Affordable Beginner Camera For Filmmaking?

I'm going to university to study film later this year, and I'm wondering what would be best for a beginner?

Here's the questionnaire thing:

Budget: $100-$300 CAD (flexible up to $500, though)

Country: Canada (although stuff available in the USA is doable)

Condition: Both used and new are fine

Type of Camera: Not well enough versed in camera types yet to say

Intended use: Video

If video what style: Film (short films, longer ones, fiction, etc.)

What features do you absolutely need: High definition (just not obviously grainy, really, it doesn't need to be perfect)

What features would be nice to have: Good zoom, easy to pick up and use whenever, night vision

Portability: Anything from fits in my pocket to a small bag.

Cameras you're considering: I'm just looking at things on Amazon, I'm really not well versed in this, unfortunately... which is why I ask here.

Cameras you already have: None