This is a comercial grade camcorder I own the camera
Ibought it in december and also I bought all the accesories like the ifrared light xlr adapter and microphones etc
the camcoreder is sugested for that activity it's the smalest comercial grade camcorder I will let you now about the exact weight with all the parts on but we're talking about 3.2 lbs it
and if you want to buy one I got one for sale
go to this link and check the brochure
http://catalog2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ModelDetail?displayTab=O&storeId=11201&catalogId=13051&itemId=68840&catGroupId=14571&modelNo=AG-DVC30&surfModel=AG-DVC30
I am almost convinced that this is the camera I need for nature expeditions BUT how much extra weight do the xlr adapter and microphone add to the package? Since I also carry Canon 20D with EFS 17 - 85, a 28-300 image stabilized, tripod and a Lumix series camera, I am fairly heavily weighted at the get go. I would really prefer a more compact camcorder, but I haven't found one to have the low light capabilities, plus audio input options, optical zoom and optical stabilizer.
I have read the reviews until I am half blind and completely confused. Can you make a simple suggestion of a light weight camera with the required features? If not, please give me the weight specs of the AG-DVC30 with the addition of the microphone.

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