On Thu, 19 Oct 2000 14:21:05 GMT, wkc@my-deja.com wrote:

>Damn, PD150 is really that good? I've read review after review about
>different DV camcorder. XL1 seems to be the best so I just bought one
>2 weeks ago.
>
>Since I don't have a PD150 to compare with, I just can't tell the
>different. However, without reading the 2 reply, I really thought I
>have the best DV camcorder under $5000. BTW, mine costs me $3600 US.

You may want to check out my reviews..., though
I did not have a chance to include side-by-side
frame-grabs from the VX-2000 at the time I
covered the others (but some camcorders covered
with the XL-1 are compared with the VX-2000 in
the separate article...). The PD150/250/VX-2000
picture is noticeably sharper, while also freer
of excess "edge effect" sharpening - and it is
better in low light. The XL-1 focus/zoom controls
are not as good as those on the Sony (um, kinda
an understatement...;-), and the AF and AE were
also marginal, making the camera hard to use
(the AF on the Sony is first-rate, really
dependable; the AE is very good, but needs AE
bias adjustment for the lighting type encountered
for best results). The stabilizer is generally
better, though, on the XL-1, as is the versatility
of the XL-1 sound - and the XL-1 mic is excellent
[as is the mic on the VX-2000, though it is quite
a different type]). For particular uses other
camcorders may be better, but for the widest range
of uses, I would choose the Sony (and have,
twice [and I turned down the new XL-1 when it
was offered to me at a very low price...;-]).