well i had thought i decided on buying the vx2100 and was planing on buying the xlr adapter later.... but the dvc is 200 cheaper and comes with built in xlr. would i be more happy with the image quility of the vx2100 then the dvc80. i can always buy the xlr later but i really want to produce a quility image. can anyone help me with this decision?

You can safely go either way and be very happy with the cam. If you're content with to go with an XLR adaptor, go with your gut: get the VX.

its hard to tell from the frame grabs i have seen but is there a very noticable diffrence in quility of image between the two?

In low light there is a significant difference.

GL

Yes the VX2100 is a substancially better camera for recording in low light. The DVC80 is, however, a really good value....much better than the 2100. I'll be purchasing my a second cam and it's going to be the 2100, mainly because I already shoot with a PD170 and need the footage to match...plus I do mostly weddings- which require low-light performance.

The 80 is discontinued so if you want it you better pick one up now.

It needs to be said that the primary knock against the panny for low light is not it's ccd's which are equal IMO at light gathering but it's short lens. The lens shuts down a stop when going telephoto and if you are doing any sort of event style coverage you will be losing out to the sony which has the 12x lens.

What about "auto focus" versus "assisted focus"?
Isn't the Panny the latter? Or is this just an issue
with the DVX100 in 24P? Anyone compared the
low-light auto focus of the DVC80 to a VX?

<<<-- Originally posted by Dave Largent : What about "auto focus" versus "assisted focus"?
Isn't the Panny the latter? Or is this just an issue
with the DVX100 in 24P? Anyone compared the
low-light auto focus of the DVC80 to a VX? -->>>

Assisted is only in 24p mode. In 60i mode, it is full auto focus.

GL