I have an XL1S with a manual lens. When i first got this camera I thought it was great. However, I am not very happy with the resolution it films at. I have a GL2 and it is very noticeably sharper. I am thinking of swapping out the xl1s and going to something like a DSR 250 or 300 type camera. My projects are all SD and will be for atleast another couple years. Light gathering is also very important. I already have a 390L and it is AWESOME for what I do, so I am thinking that the 250 or 300 would be a great compliment.

Take a look at the XH-A1s. Since I got one, I've not used my XL1.

Much better wide mode (16x9) too, and that is becoming more important, even in SD, as more people are going wide screen..

I used to own the XL1s, and I'd agree that the DSR 250 will be your best bet, or the XL2 if you prefer to stick with XL1s handling with better image quality and more control of the image settings in-camera. You'll need to look very hard to find better image quality in full SD 16:9 widescreen format.

As good as the XH-A1 is in HDV, I certainly don't see any point in buying one just for down-sampling to SD...and in fact I much prefer the original 16:9 quality produced from the XL2 compared to down-rezzed SD files produced from the XH-A1 or Sony HDV cams.

The best advice is to loan the cameras or view the original footage produced by these cameras before you buy.

Shooting SD today, means it'll be waisted in two - three years.
I mean how many people watch VHS today, I know there are some, but how many?

Buba makes a good point.

If this is hobby, do what makes you feel good. If it is a business, make sure your business plan addresses the risks associated with the emerging HD market, both form a real and from customer expectation point of view.

While DVD delivery media is still essentially SD, and BluRay is slow to take off, there is the strong perception on the part of many consumers that shooting in HD produces better DVDs.