Definately go with the stabilization system. I've tried taping similar events without one & the results are dissapointing if you don;t have a good (expensive) tripod. Sony seems to be the best as far as stabilization systems go. There's a big difference in digital quality over hi-8 so if ou can afford it, it's worth it from this aspect, as well as it will interface with your PC (not sure how importnat tht is to you). As someone already said, opitcal zoom is what you're looking for, and don't get too impressed by 0 lux stuff, it's cool, but not all that great, and some cameras perform better in low light than other's, irregradless of what their lux rating is. Try doing a search on digital video camera review on Google, or if you've got a particular model in mind search for it and add the word review. Lots of good info out there!