And a lower light sensitivity too, Boyd. The VX2k and PD150 were specked at 2 lux, the 2100/170 were 1 lux.

I hadn't realized that Tom. But are you sure they're comparing "apples to apples"? In the past, Sony has changed the playing field a bit by providing low light specs which include a gain boost. I can't remember the details, but there's also something different about how cameras sold in Japan measure lux as compared to the US models.

I think (for once) that it is apples4apples Boyd. Not so with the Z7 and S270, where Sony have had to drop the speed by a stop (to 1/25th sec) to get down to 1.5 lux and I quote from their spec sheet:

''1.5 lux (auto gain, auto iris, 1/25 shutter)'' Just barmy - and cheating. Why not cheat more and shoot at 1/12th?

Man those 2100's are just great....got some great footage of lightning bugs with that cam. Also shot a tv pilot lit by street lights only and only had to push it to 3db...amazing ....the lens could be longer though.

Tony B.

Longer? What would be the effect of that?

ummm a longer zoom lens...really use to a 16x....12x is kinda lame...

I own both of them and VX2100 is much better - much sharper aspherical lens.

Both of them? You mean a VX and a PD? And one is sharper than the other? Then the softer one has been dropped and needs attention.

Consider the Sony VCL-HG1758 telextender lens (1.7X), that is made specifially for this group of 58mm camcorders. The Raynox DCR-2020PRO (or the current variation of it that Raynox sells) gives 2.2X and works very well on the VX/PD series. However, it causes vignetting at any point below 85% full zoom and therefore isn't as versatile as the HG1758, which vignettes only below about 40% zoom.