Found at each price benchmark all pretty much same performance but a noticable differance is the feel and the menus (must try hands on).
If you want the zoom, stay away from the ultra compacts as to hard to hold still even with electronic stabilization.
Sites (main pages and forums) I found quite helpful were
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/bbs/f22 and
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/ide...asp?forumID=43
Mines a little older but happy with a Sony (DCR-HC30) and a wide angle lens.