#1 You can buy Apple's Camera connection adaptor for iPad/iPad 2...it comes with an adaptor to attach your Canon to iPad via Canon's usb cable since your Canon camera uses CF card. The Apple connection adaptor also comes with adaptor to plug in a SD card.

#2 You can now buy Apple's Digital AV adaptor to plug in HDMI cable to iPad or iPad 2.

#3 iPad does NOT have a camera. iPad 2 has a front facing camera for video chat (probably VGA resolution) and rear facing camera to do 720p video and also simple camera (probably no higher than 1 megapixel).

You can read all the specs at Apple

I agree iPad is not for everyone...it started as mainly a consumption device, but I also use it for work. I store important documents (multiple PDF files) for viewing and I can access articles/information fast. I can use Dropbox to transfer and share files among iPad, smartphone, and Mac. I can retreive info over the 'net and share with clients instantly. There is NO bootup time with iPad vs. laptop. Battery lasts forever on iPad, unlike my IBM thinkpad tablet which only lasts for 5 hours running Windows 7. Some of the things I can do already with smartphone, but need larger screen to share info with other people.

If you need to do alot of typing, then you may want to consider a smaller, lightweight laptop like Mac Book Air which has set the standard with built-in SSD and quick wake up from sleep vs. PC laptops/netbooks. I have typed articles with bluetooth keyboard paired with iPad for short stuff.

iPad 2 with iMovie makes it more than just a consumption device now...the technology will get better and iPad/netbook interface will start merging.

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