I ended up choosing the Canon TX1 as my next hybrid cam. It should arrive in a few days and I’ll post my reasons and thoughts leading me to this camera hopefully later in the week.
I’m just relieved I don’t have to go through all the research anymore. I am giddy with excitement.
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Since the TX1 is so small, I tried to look up any discussion on stabilizing a small digicam for shooting video. The TX1 has Optical Image Stabilization but I’d imagine it’s still difficult to keep stable using such as small device in a non standard form factor. To achieve a nice floating-like motion, gained from using a stabilizer like a SteadiCam, would be awesome on a tiny hybrid cam.
So how about a Fig Rig? This is a wheel-like anti-shake device created by Director Mike Figgis (Leaving Las Vegas, Time Code) to gain stability with DV sized cams. There’s a bunch of DIY projects trying to emulate Manfrotto’s expensive version. Here you can build your own with only $10 in parts.
Of course this is way too big for a TX1. So.. what’s shaped like a wheel and small???
The UbiSoft Wii Steering Wheel! These are basically shells to stick a Wiimote in to try to simulate the feeling of a real racing wheel. Call it air steering.. whatever.
This one comes with GT Pro Series for the Wii but there’s a few shady looking sites selling it separate for $10. There are other cheap wheels available as well.
I don’t have either yet but it might be worth looking into. You can probably screw in a bolt to mount the TX1 in the middle. It might just work!
So ya, anyone want to try to mod that into a small DIY Fig Rig?
I doubt this is scaled right, but you get the point..
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with its 60FPS 720P mode. 
.
UPDATE (3/26/08):
