With your help, I'm looking forward to the considerable expansion of this page to soon include the "short version" of what you really need to know about these camcorders (that's why it's called The Skinny). If you have ideas, siggestions or contributions, please send them over and we'll share them with the world. For now, I thought we'd start off with a comparison of the PD150 and VX2000... in some ways they're the same; in others, they're different.

NTSC MODELS FEATURE COMPARISON	DSR-PD150	DCR-VX2000
MSRP	$3900	$3200
FORMAT	DVCAM or DV (SP)*	DV only (SP / LP)
CCD	3 x 1/3" 380,000 pixel Interline-Transfer HAD Progressive Scan native 4:3 switchable to 16:9
LENS	58mm filter thread dia., with Optical Image Stabilization 12x (6mm - 72mm) 35mm equiv.: 43mm - 518mm
BODY	Dark Gray	Silver
EVF 1	180,000 pixel B&W LCD	180,000 pixel color LCD
EVF 2	200,000 pixel color 2.5" swing-out LCD
MIC	detachable mono mic, included	one-point stereo internal mic
AUDIO IN	XLR x 2 (+48V power supply) with mic attenuator	Mic input (stereo mini, plug-in power) with mic/line switch, RCA x 2 (L,R)
Audio Controls	2 channels, each independently adjustable	Simultaneous control of both stereo channels
Accessory Shoe	Yes	Intelligent Accessory Shoe
TC PRESET	(H/M/S/F, User Bits)	No
DATE REC	Yes	No
After 5 min. standby:	Auto drum stop	Auto power off
Dig. Program Edit	Yes (i.Link only)	No (IR controller ready)
Batt. Endurance	8 hours (NP-F960)	9 hrs 35 min (NP-F960)
WEIGHT	3 lbs 6 oz	3 lbs 1 oz
NTSC MODELS FEATURE COMPARISON	DSR-PD150	DCR-VX2000

*PD150: According to Sony, when recording in DV (SP mode only), you may not be able to get clean, seamless recording. In order to acheive a more reliable and higher quality image, Sony recommends using the DVCAM cassette and recording in DVCAM mode.