Having used all the cameras mentioned so far in this thread extensively, I can offer this.......

Canon GL2, XL1, XL2.........EXCELLENT video capabilities!
Great 20x optical zoom!
Best freehand units going!
No pro audio on the GL2 or XL1.....but it can be added via a Beachtek box.
Absolutely pathetic low light filming, regardless of how much you turn up the gain and slow down the shutter speed.

Sony PD170.......Very good video, more hunting stuff has made it to DVD and TV via a PD170 than any other unit.
12x optical zoom....good for bowhunting, but it ain`t a Canon.
Simply CANNOT freehand these cameras.
Pro audio....YES. Twin XLR ports built in.
Sony PD170 wrote the book on lowlight filming........you will get 15-20 minutes more quality film time each morning, and again each evening over the cameras discussed above.

I also run a Sony HVR-Z1U, which is an HD unit. It is sweet, and it comes fairly close to the lowlight capabilites of the PD170. You can film in SD or HD with the flip of a switch.

Canon makes a new HD unit called the XH-1A.........now this unit has it ALL!!
20X Canon optical zoom!
Same freehand capabilities as the other Canons discussed!
Pro Audio? It`s in there!!
Awesome LCD screen, much better than the GL2`s!
Lowlight capabilities.....within 5 minutes of a PD170!!!!

Now, if this new Canon holds up like the Sony`s do, it will be a clearcut winner for most hunting video guys/gals!!


As someone else already mentioned.......B&H PhotoVideo is the place to go.....