I have the former, and a friend has the latter. If we are going to shoot a film at the beach under daylight, which one should we take? I have a Beachtek, and I assume the XL1 has XLR too.

I'd be hard pressed not to take the 1/3" 3CCD XL1 but no knocks agains the DV953. Another to consider is protecting either cam from all the sand and high winds. I took a PDX10 to the beach in 2003 and I was amazed how much sand it accumulated in as little as 10 minutes of exposure.

Smearing also might be an issue in which case the XL1's larger CCDs and superior optics will have the edge over the 1/6" CCDs of the DV953.

Good point; we will shield the camera then. Where exactly did the sand accumulate?

1/3 chips are LOTS better then 1/6 chips, really.
Do however know, that to have XLR with the XL1, you have to buy a seperate adaptor (MA200 or something like it, you have a couple of them).
Best regards,

If it's daytime, then no problem. Only place you'd have to worry about their chipsets being different sizes would be filming in dark environments.

I own both cameras and like Stephen said, it adequate light, the 953 holds its own very well with the XL-1. The 953 gives beautiful pictures when given enough light to work with. There are times when the 953 is preferable from a logistical point of view(less obvious). You'll be able to shoot with the Panasonic in places you would be asked to leave if wielding the XL-1.

-gb-

Where exactly did the sand accumulate?

Little fine granules were in places I just didn't expect! I'm taking a VX2000 this year but it will definitely be covered up.

Only place you'd have to worry about their chipsets being different sizes would be filming in dark environments.

There are several other benefits of larger (and less pixel burdened) CCDs other than just low light performance. Depth of field and less smearing to name a few and for the 1/3" 3CCD price you "usually" get better glass and DSPs.

The DV953 was one of my favorite compact cams but I can look at a tape and tell which ones were taken with my 1/3" 3CCD cams (VX2000, DVX100A, FX1).

Remember sunscreen!