[gfilmsuk]

Hi Jane
Think of a video camera along the same lines as a still camera. A still camera can be used with a multitude of different focal length lenses, each with their own job to do. For example; you wouldn't use a macro lens for photographing deer or barn owls at a distance of 200m any more than you would use a 500mm lens for capturing insect close-ups.
The video camera's you mentioned both come equipped with a fairly wide angle general purpose lens, which is fixed and can't be changed, a bit like a standard 50mm still camera lens and this is where your limitations will come in. Trying to film even large wildlife at the 10X zoom end will still result in a fairly wide angle.
These consumer, general purpose camera's are not intended to be used for wildlife filming, although at a zoo and standing alongside an elephant you will get good results.
With the Canon HV20 you will get good, crisp, sharp pictures and impressive colour saturation. and there is very little noise except for low-light situations when the image will show heavy graining even though this camera has a 'night mode' which doesn't do much.
My advice Jane would be to save up another grand and shop around for a good s/h XL1s you'll be amazed at the quality and won't regret a single penny.

And Neil, in answer to your question. Prosumer is a word used by Canon. The XL range of camera's have become industry standard with pro wildlife and documentary film makers throuought the world because of their amazing vesatility and reliability.