In the interim, I stumbled into this AVCHD mini-wonder from SONY and was very impressed with the reviews. A couple of months ago, I bought a Sony CX110/L ($449) as a second camera to my Z1. It performs great in low light with its EXMOR R CMOS chip technology and records 1920x1080 and should match the MC50's images perfectly. It seems like this could be a glorified model of the CX110 in a larger shell.
http://exposureroom.com/members/dvwarri ... 20996d7c7/
1920x1080 Full HD
64 GB Internal Memory
3.5" Xtra fine LCD/Color Viewfinder
Memory Stick/SD Card Compatible
10x Wide Angle G Lens
Active Optical Steady Shot
My MC50 should arrive from B&H this week, and it lives up to its promise, that will cut my equipment luggage by 75%
Email me if anyone is interested in a fully equipped Z1 (Batteries, Charger,Shotgun Mic and a dozen blank HDV tapes) package.
Eric