Are the HMC150 and HVX200 fairly similar?
 

As in image quality, feature set, spec of lens, noise etc?

Many thanks

Rik

Are you talking about the original HVX200, or the HVX200A?

The HMC150 and HVX200A share the same chipset, and accordingly they produce comparable-looking images with comparable resolution and comparable noise characteristics. Either of them will produce substantially less noise than the original HVX200.

The 200/200A have many features the 150 doesn't have, and the 150 has many features that the 200/200A don't have.

The 200/200A offer intraframe recording to 4:2:2 DVCPRO-HD, whereas the 150 records interframe long-GoP recording to 4:2:0 AVCHD.

The 200/200A offer time lapse/interval recording, variable frame rates, standard-definition recording, and DV tape recording. The HMC150 has none of those.

The 150 has Dynamic Range Stretching, an in-camera waveform monitor and vectorscope, and variable bitrate recording (from 6mbps up to 24mbps). The 200/200A can't do those.

The 150 is a much smaller form factor and very much lighter; it is ergonomically superior to the 200/200A.

The 200/200A has a slightly more telephoto lens; 4.2-55mm, vs. the 150's slightly more wide angle lens, 3.9-51mm.