The VX2000 is about four ounces heavier than the XM1 and is considerably longer (about three inches). The extra length is attributed to the camera's new manual zoom-control mechanism in the front of the camera. The manual zoom ring lets you quickly zoom into an area of detail, get a sharp focus, then zoom out again while keeping everything in the shot in focus. This manual zoom is actually servo-controlled: An internal motor that responds to your command controls the zoom, so there will be a slight delay from the time you rack the zoom to the time the zoom kicks in. The delay is very slight, and we found that after some practice, we were able to achieve any zoom speed we wanted. The XM1, on the other hand, does not have this feature.
Although the VX2000's rocker zoom switch is more predictable than the XM1's rocker switch, the XM1 has a wonderfully slow zoom setting - but only if you can get the pressure just right. The XM1 also has a three-speed programmable zoom switch on the handle, which we really like.
Sony took a cue from Canon and put the menu button and jog dial in the same location as on the XM1 - you can easily find it without removing your eye from the viewfinder. Sony deviated from Canon's format and put the VX2000's shooting-mode dial on the back panel with its menu button, which allows you to access the camera's shutter speed, white balance, and audio level buttons much easier than with the GL1. The VX2000's audio button gives you a level readout across the bottom of your monitor or viewfinder display to let you know when the sound levels become too much for the camera to handle, at which time it's best to shift to manual audio control. The XM1 does not offer manual audio control, though it does have an attenuation setting in the menu that gives really clean sound reproduction at lower levels, which is great for recording loud environments, like your friend's punk band.
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