You should include the HC90 in your quest. It is an improved PC-350 and has better low light capabilities than the PC1000. Cnet really got the review wrong on the HC90. Read the user opinions.
The HC90 is also small.
Has anyone had any experience with either of these new Sony MiniDV camcorders: DCR-PC55, DCR-PC1000? I'm in the market for a new camcorder and have narrowed my choices to these two. Unfortunately, I haven't yet had an opportunity to to actually see and play with either in person. Best Buy, Circuit City, etc. don't stock these in their actual stores yet, or at least they don't in my area. All of the research I've done so far has been from specs, gathered from this site, Sony's site, other retailer's sites (Best Buy, Crutchfield, etc.). I enjoy reading user feedback but because of how new they are, I just can't find much at all.
I narrowed my choices to these because of a couple of things. First and foremost, the extremely small form factor. All too often I find myself just leaving the current camcorder at home because I don't like to "lug" it around. Slipping it into my pocket (literally) is a very attractive feature to me. While I'm certainly not a pro videographer by any means, I do like to get a little creative on "productions". I enjoy bringing back footage of vacations and such and do a reasonable amount of editing on my PC. The 16:9 recording mode seems like a cool feature, something the current cam does not have. I know that the 1000 has it, but I can't seem to confirm for certain whether or not the 55 does. Also, I've read that the 1000 has a "cinematic mode". It states that it can record 24 frames per second to achieve a film-like quality. Can anyone explain a little more in detail what exactly this is? I know that footage recorded on your typical consumer grade camcorder doesn't look anything like footage of Hollywood films. Will I be gaining much from the option offered on the Sony?
And of course, price is always a factor. There seems to be about a $500 difference between the two. The 1000 lists at $1299, but I've shopped around online and have found it under $1000. The 55 I've seen as low as the mid-$600s. Spending $1000 on a good camera doesn't bother me if it is really worth it. I guess my question here is, is there really a $500 difference? The 55 looks really cool and stylish, but I'm guessing (knowing Sony) that the flash is on the outside, but the guts are nothing more than a low-end camera that I may be disappointed with.
I hope someone out there either has had some first hand experience with either (or both) or at least can add their thoughts.

Chowhound
Comic Vine
GameFAQs
GameSpot
Giant Bomb
TechRepublic