More like the PD100 while the VX2000 was out. The PD100 was a "professional" version of a lesser consumer model. The FX1 is a lesser consumer model of a much better "professional" version.
Sure. Sony has always put out a prosumer, a smaller consumer and an even smaller "pro" model. On the counter the sales person will then pile up one Canon, one Pana and three or four Sony cams. Well, and that's the point where normal people think "Hmmmm, impressive."