Ron -
While "point and shoot" is good, especially if it gets excellent results, as a practicat matter there's little difference between adding a "PRO/ADV" (professional/advanced) mode along with the "EASY" mode, in other words add a "secret" button combo that activates things like zebras or whatever. The hardware/software "hooks" are undoubtedly there, it's just whether they decide to offer access (or not)

Sony did make a significant jump with the 550V versions - while they look pretty tame at first... the higher bitrate, iris/shutter, biggest LCD, VF on both models (the first CX with a VF and I/O options!!) - this revision makes these camera significantly more interesting for those who want more control in a small package that also delivers good auto results. A couple of these and an AX2000 would represent a pretty fantastic multicam "event" package...

Watch.Impress review of the CX550V
 

http://av.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/s...03_346539.html
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Both lateral and longitudinal chromatic aberrations in the framegrabs and clips posted on the above site are very pronounced (looking at the compared still grabs from the CX550 and CX520 of the pigeon in particular). It's almost clear to me from looking at those stills and clips that Sony has pushed too far in making the lens wider than normal. I just hope they rectify these CA flaws in their production models either by tweaking the hardware which is highly unlikely or minimizing them via software. Too bad, other aspects of the image at 24 Mbps look very good and seem superior to the images from my CX500 and SR12 judging from those few clips.