recording standard definition video in 4:3 aspect ratio or widescreen (16:9)?
If 4:3, then I'd say go with the Canon. If widescreen, then the V1. The Canon has a bigger stock lens (and has interchangeable lenses if that happens to part of the deal - and if that makes any difference to you). But that particular model did not handle DV widescreen too well. The V1 is a few years newer; no interchangeable lens system (but you can add lenses)... and as you know, can do DV (4:3), DV widescreen and HDV (and "High Definition Video", as defined by the standards folks, is widescreen).
The advantage to using the V1 is for HDV designed for widescreen - so the imaging chip array is better equipped to deal with DV widescreen, too.
The XL2 can easily be used as a shoulder mount without a need for any add-ons. To use the V1 as a shoulder mount, a shoulder mount mechanism is separate item to get.
In February next year my sketch troupe are shooting some sketches, a short film and a trailer for a feature length film we have written. I am stuck for which camera to go for though when we do it. I'm hiring the equipment and both will cost the same, so I was hoping for some expert advice to help me out.
The camera's I'm stuck between are the Canon XL2 and the Sony HVR-V1E.
HD isn't needed, but the Sony camcorder allows SD recording anyway. If so, which would you advise and for what reasons? Which has better quality (bare in mind I'll be recording in SD on the HVR-V1E).
Thanks.

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