In 16x9 mode, you will have a wider angle of view than the DVX100a in 4x3 mode anyway, correct?

Only if you're using the 3x wide angle lens. Otherwise, the DVX has a wider angle of view. The DVX is 32.5mm to 325mm (in 35mm terms). Compare the XL2 fields of view with various lenses using my lens chart at http://www.dvinfo.net/canonxl2/articles/article04.php.

No, since it use a 1/3 CCD, same as the XL1, you will have about the same angle of view as the XL1, and even less wide is 4:3.

So the DVX is 32.5mm in 4x3?

<<<-- Originally posted by Ed Szarleta : So the DVX is 32.5mm in 4x3? -->>>

Yes, and the XL2 is :

With the 20X lesn 42.3 - 846mm in 16X9 and 51.8 - 1036mm in 4X3

With the 3X lens 26.6 - 79.8mm in 16X9 and 32.6 - 97.8mm in 4X3