i dont think there was a gamble to be made... its HD... look how many are hanging out for the right cam with the right features for the lower price. Hell consumers will eat them up even!

I was speaking about Canon not Sony.

<<<-- Originally posted by Barry Green : There were numerous changes from the VX2000 to the PD150, including the addition of DVCAM recording mode, a B&W viewfinder, XLR audio connectors, the ability to control gain regardless of the aperture setting, and the ability to individually control the level of each audio channel.

As I understand, there are similar caliber differences between the VX2100 and the PD170, but in the PD170 you also get a wide-angle lens included. -->>>

Thanks Barry. I wanted to point out those differences as a way of predicting what Sony may do with the pro version of the FX1. It would seem likely that their corporate philosophy with this new camera should follow what they have done in the past with the VX/PD. In addition, I believe the premium Sony charged for those upgrades in the PD models was about $1000.

As someone who has spent the year looking forward to the introduction of the XL-2, the FX1 has really complicated matters - unless you view choices as good things. Fortunately, I do. I will wait until we have some good real world testing of both cameras and make my decision accordingly. If I end up going the FX1 route, the question then becomes what they will put into the pro-version as opposed to what I can add on and work around on the consumer.

<<<-- Originally posted by Gary McClurg : I was speaking about Canon not Sony. -->>>

So was i.