First, let's talk about creature comforts. For those of you who are already familiar with the pd150 and the xl1, these will make great sense:

-This unit has both a color lcd and a color viewfinder.

-Volume levels for both channels are listed in the viewfinder (and not schlepped on the backside like the xl1)

-the volume controls for each channel are on the side of the unit. Big, easy to reach knobs too - the kind that you don't have to be actually looking at to be able to work. How nice is it to see your volume levels in the viewfinder, be able to adjust them on the spot, and never have to move your eye from the viewfinder..? Nice huh?

-The unit has a push auto iris and a push focus button. In a fast action situation with varying light levels, these come in real handy.

-The unit has two xlr plugins right on the front! Say goodbye to expensive aftermarket xlr adapters.

-Phantom power - the unit will run juice out those xlr adaptors as well.

-Also, the unit comes standard with a dual battery charger, and if that's not good enough for you power consumption needs, they have an anton bauer add-on to plug into your favorite battery belt. Nice huh?

-Image Quality - The 12bit DSP and 700 scan line resolution are top notch. Back to back compared with the xl1 you can easily see the difference. Plus the low light lux is great.

-Price. This unit is cheap, comparatively, to it's brethren. I purchased the unit, an extra battery, the me66 seinheiser mic and power supply, a bag and headphones for cheaper than a base xl1. Plus, JVC is currently running a promotion that includes a free $300 buck monitor thrown into the deal. yay!

Cons?
-Well the fact that you have to hold it up in front of you and not perched on your shoulder takes a little getting used to. Not so bad if you build up some muscle.. but holding it in front of you as you have to does make it easy to shoot tilted if you are not careful.

-As mentioned before, it doesn't have a standard lens mount. Though, if you are shooting with multiple lenses, why are you going with a prosumer camera to begin with? But seriously, as of right now there are only two additional lenses avail. - both from JVC (the wide angle and the telephoto).

-Looks. Well, this can be a pro or a con depending on what you are going after. The unit doesn't necessarily 'look' professional. In fact it looks like someone's family vacation camcorder. Which, can be a plus if you are wanting to keep a low profile or not intimidate interviewee's.. but if you are wanting that professional 'pay me big bucks' look, this unfortunately may work against that. But whoever said to judge a book by it's cover?

-Battery life.. maybe it's just me, but it ate juice pretty quickly. But it may have also been the ND filter and the me66 mic i was powering as well.

Recommended: Yes