welp, I ended up going with a sony DCR-TRV33
the guy was taking it out of the box to put up as a display model as i walked in the store... open box special - $150 off. $699 camera marked down to 449.
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-t3Nsi4OoW9A/c...sp?i=158DCRTV33
i got a hell of a deal.
touch pad LCD, shot steadier, night mode, it even has a name-brand lens: Carl Zeiss
Re-live your favorite memories, again and again! The DCR-TRV33 has everything you need to preserve them in great-looking home movies: you get Mini DV's awesome picture quality, a megapixel CCD for detailed photos and video, and a Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar® lens for accurate, lifelike color. All you add are the tape and the good times!
The compact DCR-TRV33 is sized for easy portability — wherever you go, take it along. And it's furnished with lots of goodies designed to provide excellent results with minimal effort. For instance, Super SteadyShot® stabilizes the picture (no more dizzying shakes and bounces!). Use Super NightShot® with Color Slow Shutter to film in dark settings, and take advantage of 10X optical zoom to capture your subject up close.
Not only does the 'TRV33's 2-1/2" color SwivelScreen™ give you a clear, full-color view of your subject — it's also a touch-panel. That means you can easily navigate the cam's menus, or even set the focus or exposure, just by tapping the screen!
Want to snap digital photos? The DCR-TRV33 can handle that, too — still image resolution goes up to a nice, crisp 1152 x 864. (Photos are saved to the included 8MB Memory Stick® — for more storage, just add more Memory Sticks! See "Recommended Accessories," above.) This cam will also capture MPEG movie clips that you can e-mail to friends and family, and even serves as a webcam by streaming live or recorded footage to your PC's USB port.
Key Features:
* 1-megapixel CCD
* digital photo mode
* photo resolution options: 1152 x 864; 640 x 480
* MPEG Movie EX
* compatible with Memory Stick or Memory Stick PROâ„¢ (8MB Memory Stick supplied)
* 2-1/2" color touch-panel LCD viewscreen
* color viewfinder
* PCM stereo digital audio (12-bit or 16-bit)
* variable-speed 10X Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 120X)
* Super SteadyShot
* Super NightShot with Color Slow Shutter
* auto and manual focus
* shutter speeds (1/4 – 1/4,000)
* 6 AE modes
* digital picture effects
* i.LINK jack
* Exif Print (2.2) compatibility for digital photos
* A/V input/output, including S-video
* USB (1.1) interface
* M-JPEG video streaming to PC via USB (Microsoft® NetMeeting® required)
* Intelligent Accessory Shoe
* microphone input
* 2-7/8"W x 3-9/16"H x 4-7/16"D
* weight: 1.32 lbs. with battery
* warranty: 1 year parts, 90 days labor
Supplied Accessories:
* 8MB Memory Stick
* A/V and USB cables
* remote control
* AC adapter/charger
* rechargeable InfoLithium® battery ("M" series)
* shoulder strap
* Pixela® ImageMixer CD-ROM (Windows® and Mac®)
USB Requirements:
* USB port
* For PC: Windows 98, 98SE, Me, 2000 Professional, or XP Home/Professional
* For Mac®: OS 8.5.1 – 10.2
* Note: The USB streaming function is not compatible with the Mac OS.
* For additional requirements, see Detailed Info.
In addition, i bought a carry case, an extra 3-hour batery, 3 minidv tapes, and a car charger kit. out the door for 640.
a little more than i wanted to spend... but hey, what else is new. lol
got rated pretty damn good too:
http://www.digitalcamera-hq.com/camcorder/...33-reviews.html
#7 on the top camcorder list too... not too shabby at all.
Top Camcorders
1. Canon GL2
2. Canon Optura Xi
3. Sony TRV38
4. Panasonic DV953
5. Canon Optura 300
6. Sony TRV19
7. Sony TRV33
8. Sony PC105
9. Sony TRV22
11. Sony TRV80
10. Panasonic GS70
12. Canon Elura 50
13. Canon ZR60
14. Canon ZR70 MC
15. Panasonic GS50S