The difference between DV and DVCam is really subtle. With the compact Sonys you can only do DVCam mode with the DV tape as opposed to, say, the DSR-200 that uses a larger tape. The reason DVCam is higher quality is that it records faster (about 20% off the top of my head.) So the result is like comparing SP to LP on a VCR...you can\'t really notice the difference with your naked eye but it is there. It\'s unfortunate the DVX-100 doesn\'t have DVCam mode because with its great picture and lens it would be the perfect compact 3 chip cam.