I have used and like both of those cameras. But remember that producing
high quality images comes from the skill, talent and experience of the
people lighting and using the camera. In your price range all cameras
are nearly identical. There is almost no way to tell the image shot by one
for the image shot by the other.

And quite frankly, cameras in that price range are changing rapidly - no
?500 ($1000) camera will last the test of time. A ?500 ($1000) camera
is a very sort term investment. Panasonic isn't even making the PV-GS400
an longer and JVC's new HDV cameras are MUCH better than the GZ-MG505.

But either one, in the hands of someone who knows how to light and compose
shots can get decent images.

Check out these threads:
http://www.filmmaking.net/fnetforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7034
http://www.filmmaking.net/fnetforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6195
http://www.filmmaking.net/fnetforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6316
http://www.filmmaking.net/fnetforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4527
http://www.filmmaking.net/fnetforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4479
http://www.filmmaking.net/fnetforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4183
http://www.filmmaking.net/fnetforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4555

http://www.filmmaking.net/fnetforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4586

If you have more questions, feel free to ask.

=============================================
The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)

thanks, i understand what your saying re: lighting etc.
i am at a level where i know what im doing! im just not up on the technical side of things.

i have found good prices on the Panasonic HDC-SD9 and the Canon HG10 - does anyone have any experience / opinions on the features? my previous project was shot on a Canon XL so i am aware that these cameras arent at that level; any further spending is well out of my budget!

Either of those cameras will be fine for someone like you who knows what he's doing.