Okay, I've finally got 6k for a camera and I cant decide which camera to get. Here is I've narrowed it down to.

JVC GY-HD100U = $5500
SONY HVR-Z1U = $4900
CANON XL2 = $3995
PANASONIC DVX100A = $3399
SONY HDR-FX1 = $3199

or should I wait for the new Panasonic HD/24P later this year?

my choice would be the FX1 or the XL2,

well, the xl2 is my top choice but i would love to go HD but the FX1's lack of 24P is big downside for me.

Wait for a good HD camera, it'll be worth it.

Panasonic is soon to release their AG-HVX200 (I assume that's the HD-24P to which you refer), which will record HDV to a P2 card; I have read, however, that the max recording time is eight minutes to a single card, which seems utterly ridiculous. The camera is slated to start somewhere below $6000, though a card upgrade will probably run about $2000. Yuck.

If you're willing to wait (maybe up to a year) for a capable, affordable HD camera, then do that. Otherwise, go with the XL2. I have an XL1s, and it's dynamite.

Wait! Actually, that new Panasonic HVX will record either HDV to P2 card or SD to miniDV, and I assume the specs for SD recording will be the same, if not better, than those of the DVX100. That might be worth the money.

24p?

I say the Sony Z1U. 24p can be easily faked in post-production. The quality of HD cannot.

what do you need 24p for?

I see myself taking the DVX100a even in 2 years from now based on it's current track record. The quality is fantastic. I don't however, see why I would get the HD version though, I doubt the clarity can get that much better for the price than what it already is.