SD still cam vs SD camcorder

[Chamber005]

So let me start off by saying that the cams I use for home movie stuff and traveling are dated -- but I thought they would give me the opprotunity to help understand the differences between still cams with motion picture capture and camcorders.

I've got a Canon ZR20 (1/4 inch CCD, MiniDV) and a Panny DMC FX3 (CCD, QuickTime - 848 x 480, 30fps)

Now, I can grasp the Canon's chip, etc., but for the still cam it's only listed as having a CCD for the sensor type. Is this typical with still cams that have movie mode? How can you tell, chip-set-wise where it stacks up against a camcorder? With the still cam do we look at the megapixels (6) involved or does that have nothing to do with video capturing?

I'm really interested in picking up a GH1 when it comes out, but I'm still having trouble discerning how a still cam's specs are laid out versus a camcorders.

Thanks!

 

[Chamber005]

Also, the "optical sensor size" on the Panny is 1/2.5". Is that the size of the CCD then? Would that mean that the video capture is better on the still cam? Thanks again!