Hello, I want to buy a camcorder to make student films and short home made films. I'm thinking of buying the Sony XR500V (Hard drive + memory disc optional) and the Panasonic TM300 (memory stick).

I know each camera has its adventages and flaws;
The Panasonic has 24p mode, manual Iris which the sony DOES NOT.
But on the other hand some say that the sony beats the Panaonic in quality, friendly to use etc.

I know that the Sony Vegas tries to create 24p mode and I've seen on some youtube clips that the exposure keeps changing when they did this mode - at least I hope that it's because of that mode.
Is the 24p mode so important that it'd be a deciding factor?

In your expirience which is better, more friendly to use, better quality, sharpness, better in low light.

In other words, if you were in my shoes which one would you get?

PLEASE HELP ME ASAP - I don't have much time since my sister is in New York this week (where it's much cheaper).

Thanks You!

24p is useless unless you are printing to motion picture film or you really like that look.

I'd go with the Sony, obviously, because I know the Sony and I don't know the Panny. The XR520V (the 500's big brother) has the best picture I've ever seen from a small cam.

__________________
Adam
Proud owner of 8, no, 7, no, wait, now NINE Sony HDV cams. Checking into rehab next week.
"There are no experimental failures. There's only more data."