Is your friend looking at this type/model for any particular reason? I have used DV and Digital 8 camcorders before. The problem I heard with DVD disc camcorders is the abilty to edit/rewind/erase etc. On the otherhand, DV camcorders are incredible, I just had one on a tripod on the last P-car run and the video came out really well with the steadyshot. I am working on converting it to DVD now. The advantage to a DVD camcorder is the direct playback in a DVD player. I don't know if I like this though - recording capacity of one disc: 20 minutes at HQ setting; 30 minutes at SP setting; 60 minutes at LP setting. It is definitely newer technology but I would prefer DV though as I have no problem dumping via firewire and I like the ability to edit and customize my videos via the computer.
Here is more information of the model you are looking at with details and comparisons.
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-rsHWu7S3XGD/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=69700&id=essential_info&i=158DDVD201