There is one interesting use... timelapse video. If you're going to be speeding your footage up in post anyway, this is one way to get high quality progressive images.

I'm right with Stephen in that the 'on-axis requirement' of the VX2100's viewfinder is a positive regression from the excellent v'finder fitted to the VX2000.

One thing I'd not realised though was that the VX2k1 has a mechanical shutter for stills to Memopry stick. I've not seen this documented anywhere, or even heard it working. You can certainly hear it working on my 3 chip Panasonic, but I'd always assumed the shutter was electronic on my VX, regardless of the shooting mode.

Like he says though, the 640 x 480 stills (same on my PAL model BTW) defy their miserable physical dimensions, and I have perfectly acceptable glossy A4 prints from stills. Due in part to the 3 HAD chips, the lens' excellent resolving power at f/4 and the high shutter speeds you can use instead of the ND filters.

tom.

There is no mechanical shutter. What you hear, probably on your Panasonic also, is a realistic sound track of a shutter operating.

That sounds (ha!) like sense Mike, but my MX300 owners handbook states that when stills are taken to flash memory an interlens mechanical shutter is used. Ear close to the lens certainly sounds like this is happening. Haven't taken one apart yet to see if it's true.

tom.

Well now, could the "mechanical shutter" be nothing more than an urban myth? Could all the reviewers and dealers who describe a mechanical shutter, have been snared in a mass-deception? What would be the manner in which these cameras could produce such a real-sounding rendition of a mechanical device and all its metallic clicks and scrapings? Might it be, instead of a recording, a dummy device that actually slides in and out, giving us that so-satisfying sound and the assurance that we have successfully snapped another great shot? Do I have to do an autopsy on my camera, to find out? How can I sleep another night, until I have the answers?

I said probably, not definately on the Panasonic.

While I admire your clever correction, it is getting very close to the line with the sarcasm.

Sony VX2100 Webpage Describing Mechanical Shutter
 

On this Sony webpage, it describes the VX2100 as having a mechanical shutter system, that provides progressive scan performance with an interlaced scanning system, for still pictures. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to Progressive Shutter System:

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTE...ycamCamcorders

That is good information. Thank you for posting it and I stand corrected.