It would help to know what was the original question and what a LifeDrive is. The way I read it is "If I were you, I would not bother with the camcorders."
The canon, although it looks cheaper is really the better camera, after all looks aren't everything. The canon is better for several reasons. First Canons color quality and optics are better then many others. After all canon is a company known for it...
DV Camcorders are old technology. You should check out HD camcorders...