The Panasonic is a sweet camera and would be a great investment for more high-end video productions, but I don't see it as a practical choice for vlogging--it's not exactly the kind of "take it anywhere" camera (or at least I wouldn't feel comfortable using it that way). Same, really, with the XL-2. I have an XL-1, and I usually default to my little still camera that takes video rather than take that thing out for quick-and-dirty, out-in-public vlogging purposes. I also find the viewfinder on the XL-1 very difficult to position on my eye (perhaps because I'm left-eyed).
The PD-170 seems to me a good compromise between a vlogging camera and video production camera (though the image isn't as nice as the other two, and its options are more limited). You've probably used these at school (NB: Josh is a former student of mine ;), and they do well as workhorse cameras that produce a decent image and give you sufficient control over the image. Really, it depends, I think, on how you want to use your camera as to which one is the best choice. Cheerio! Jen --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, "josheklow" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > I'm shopping around for a new camera for vlogging as well as other video projects. I've been > looking at the Canon XL2, the Panasonic DVX100B, and the Sony PD170. I'm going to be > trying these cameras out before I make any purchase, but I figured that this group would be a > good source of advice on these or other cameras. >