Thanks for the input. Probably will wait until there is more on the XL2. I'm just not liking the idea of an XL1, XL1S, & an XL2. Really want two identical cameras. Spose I need to start selling.

Sorry, maybe I missed it's mentioning here, but what about the Panasonic DVC200? 1/2" chips, good bottom line, solid looking piece of gear, comparable to the JVC 5000 camera.

Ahh, but now you say that you want TWO cameras and that they be identical?
That's different.
Two DVx100A s?
Two PD170 s?
Two XL2 s...

Instead of the DSR570, why not go with the PDW510 (optical disk instead of tape). Awww! I hope I'm not sturring too much sh*t here. ;-)

Anyway, if you want good workable shallow DoF, you shoud go with the DSR3x0 familly or up, instead of the XL2. But if you want to shoot auto at times, then the XL2 is the choice. Aww man, I'm starting to get a headache; Each time I start doing "this is good but that one too" crap, I get real frustrated. If only things were black and white! ;-)

I know! Buy one of each!

Come on now, really, what's the answer???

Depends on how much you want to spend and why you need two cameras, ie., the type of shooting you will be doing. The 1/2" chip cameras may give you a better overall image, but they may or may not be the best for you. For example, I have a DSR500, but I shot almost all of 3 shows with a DSR250 because of its optical steadyshot that absorbed vibration from machinery I was shooting.