On Fri, 19 Oct 2001 13:44:40 GMT, Phil wrote:

>I am about to take the plunge into the 3ccd dv world. I have been
>looking at the Sony DCR-VX2000 and the Canon XL-1s and would like some
>user input. If anyone has experience with either of these cameras good
>or bad please let me know.

The VX-2000 and XL-1 (not "s", but many characteristics
will be the same...) are (critically...) reviewed at:
www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/camcorder-comparison.htm
The VX-2000 comes pretty well equiped ready-to-roll.
Add a large-capacity battery, a good WA converter, and
maybe a good external specialized mic for what you want to
shoot, and go; the XL-1 needs an expensive finder, an
expensive power source, and an expensive WA to be (almost)
as capable, and the result is bulkier, heavier, more
expensive, and unless things have been improved noticeably
on the "s", with less capable auto controls, less sharp
picture, and less ability to shoot in very low light
levels...