GS100 or PDX10
 

I know this has been discussed before, but here is my situtation.
I will be shooting from the back of my jetski in big surf here in hawaii. So of course I will be using either the sony sports pak with the pdx10 or the Pana Splash housing with GS100.
I will be using 16:9 mode.
Things that are important to me is good auto focus and optical image stabilze. Which one would be better for me?

I can say that the PDX10 will deliver superbly in auto focus, 16:9, and image stabilization.
From what I've gathered about the gs100, the PDX10's 16:9 is superior.
I speak from experience with the latter cam.
I think, though I'm not positive, that the PDX10 is a bit bigger and a bit heavier.
It also can be somewhat awkward for handheld.
If you can get used to it, though, and it is entirely possible for you to do so, you can shoot beautiful video in outstanding 16:9.

GS100K + 210 Bat: 750 grams,
Pany Underwater Housing: 630 grams, 136H x 143W x 214mmL

Assuming the PDX10 is as heavy as a 950

950 + QM71D Bat: 1170 grams
DVF5 or DVF4 Housing: 990 grams, 174H x 169W x 261mmL

Ooops...

Pany Housing: 143H x 136W x 214mmL

I haven't used a PDX10 but I have played a lot with the PC300 (which employs the same 16:9 technology) and read reviews comparing the performance of the PC300 and the GS100K under different shooting conditions.

While the PC300 will give you a much wider horizontal angle of view at the widest zoom, the clarity of the GS100 under 16:9 can match well with the PC300. In fact, the image of GS100 appears sharper than PC300 due to stronger image enhancement by Pany or the soft default sharpness setting of the PC300K.

I believe the PDX10 and GS100 employs the same active lens technology in their OIS. (not active prism type)

You should be happy with either one.

"You should be happy with either one".

That, I think, is ultimately the truth. Each has it's strengths and weaknesses, and, for what you seem to need, you could go either way without regrets. So why, then, spend $700 more for the PDX10, the xlr adaptor aside? Good question.

That is why I didn't spend the extra money on the PDX10. I went with the DV953 which suited my purposes and provides great video especially under the conditions you mention here. Yes I believe the GS100 is superior in picture quaility but only ever so slighting in good lighting from what I've read. Unfortunately at the time, I did not want to deal with the menu language issue. Knowing some of the things I know now, that issue is not the issue I originally thought it would be.

But there is that comfort level of knowing what menus do what and therfore I was willing to forego the additional money for the PDX10 and the GS100 Japanese menues for the DV953 which has proven to be a suitible camera for the money.

Perhaps a PAL GS100 will come out in January, and its English manual will become available for download. Cross your fingers.

PS: I presume there won't be any mention of the skin tone feature, though. :)

I actually posed the "good question" above with a high degree of sincerity. It still remains. What might make the PDX10 worth the money, to get instead of, say the 953 or even the much championed gs100k? I have only used the PDX!0. Anyone familiar enough with both or all three of these cams to provide insight? I bet some version of this has been discussed before, but perhaps something new or more succinct will come of it, for Steve's sake. User feedback............

I believe Tom Hardwick owns both a PDX10 and MX500 (& a MX300). He's started an interesting thread over at the TRV950/PDX10 forum. Perhaps Tom will see this thread and let us know which cam he thinks is better. :)

Both are great cams and went back and forth on the same two. I chose the PDX10 for the english menus. I have never used a GS100 but the PDX10 footage looks cleaner and of higher resolution on my widescreen TV (even the wife agrees).

I would have probably chosen the GS100 had their been a N.A. model. I paid $1850 for the PDX10 at B&H.