I was just looking around at B&H and cannot find the PV-GS400 available any more. They only have the NV-GS400(PAL) version. Whats up with that?

The GS500..

http://panasonic.co.jp/pavc/global/videocamera/europe/nv-gs500/

I think it was the last one, I happy so far ... NOTE: read the other post here about the GS500 being a downgrade ... I don't know for sure.

Take a look at the specs here... http://panasonic.jp/dvc/gs500-gs300/spec.html

Looks like a rounder version of the GS400. But seems the GS500 is smaller in overall body size again?!
From what I can see so far, useful improvements in my opinion are the widescreen LCD panel and the photo flash light.

Wow... just read a lot of features were removed: headphone jack, A/V conversion/pass-through, frame mode, the big 3.5” LCD, picture adjust, zebra bars, program automatic exposure modes, now only a focus ring instead of the GS400 multi-function ring, most buttons under the LCD removed/moved to menus. ...overall sounds terrible!

Andreas, you're right.....not very good. The GS400 does have a pop up photo flash. I just don't understand compromising all the great features like that. Maybe they are coming up with a comsumer HD to compete with the sony which would have all those same features that the GS400 had. Just a guess.

The GS400 does have a pop up photo flash.

Oh damn, I should take a closer look at my GS400 more often! Of course it has a photo flash! ;) Guess it's because I didn't use the flash and photo function for quite some time, since I have a still cam.

Yes, Steve, I guess the same: it's time for some HD from Panasonic! I just hope they don't do the same compromise like Sony, high resolution on low data rate. But I'm sure they will not leave this price region empty for a long time.