You are right there. It doesn't have the quality but it sure has the convenience factor going for it.

Also, as the Panasonic reps are quick to point out, the actual XLR adapter is made from real metal, not a tough plastic, like mine (although it seems quite sufficient) and the connectoin is a push on type with a clamping ring and is a multi-pin connector rather than an oddball hotshoe mounted thing like ours.

I am still crazy about mine, don't get me wrong. I thik it has some more professional features as far as ability and simply pixel count, especially in 16:9. It's just that I wish Sony would incorporate some scene files that are user modifiable, like this Pana 30.

Sean