I have been looking up info on the XL1s and have found several reviews that say that the XL1s has a built in digital image stabiliser as well as the optical one on the lens can anyone tell if this is correct or not

Actually, is all optical correction via a variable angle prism (VAP) on the standard lens. It is the shake sensing that is a combination. of two methods. (Image stabilization is not available with the manual or the 3x lens.)

It uses a combination of piezoelectric vibration sensors (to detect high frequency shake) and image movement vector sensing (to detect low frequency shake). The input from both is processed to conrol the VAP. The image movement vector is commonly used as a detection method with "electronic image stabalization" as well.

Thanks Don, that's all i need to know.

Actually I have another question. Its probably obvious to most of you but I am new at this digital zoom stuff.

Several sites say that the XL1s has a 32x digital zoom and others say that it has a 2x digital zoom.

Does that mean a true 32x digital zoom or does it mean 2 x 16 optical = 32x and if I put a 1.6 extender on that does it give me 64x zoom.

It is 2x digital times16x optical for a total zoom range of 32 with the standard lens. But digital zoom is of limited value due to reduction of image resolution. This is basically an issue with all digital zooms on all camcorders.

The 1.6x gives you a total range of 51.2x with the outfit, but you have to insert/remove the 1.6x to achieve the range. At any given instant, with the 1.6 installed or removed, the range still 32x.

Thanks again Don.