So I received a Panasonic AG-AC130 and compared some footage with my Canon XH-A1. Keep in mind I have only had the AC130 for a few days so I do not know it as well as my Canon.

See a short video below:

Note: I am kicking myself for using a preset on the Canon to make the color pop, I should have used the Canon with no preset.

Observations:

AC130 is/has:
- Bigger
- Sharper, better picture
- Cleaner and better in low light (but not as much as I was hoping for)
- Wider on the wide end
- Bigger and better screen
- Auto white balance is better

XH-A1 is/has:
- Better Auto-focus
- Longer reach
- Better zoom rocker

The AC130 has a usable gain of 12 where the Canon looks pretty bad at 12 db. This may not be a big deal to some, but for a wedding videographer it is nice to have in case you need it. In the Panasonic, the DRS was on.

Panasonic AC 130 vs Canon XH-A1 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJq_xYHtbB0)

Below is another video that compares the Cameras, The XH-A1 is at factory color presets.

Panasonic AG-AC130 vs Canon XH-A1 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyD22M2Tbxk)

About 5 years newer with corresponding technology changes

1920x1080 vs. 1440x1080 pixels when recording 16x9 (HD vs HDV)

I would expect the 130 to produce a better image in many respects and be shocked if it did not.