I found the 70 inch sharps, including the $8000 Elite model to have very poor off angle viewing. That's one reason I'm opting for a Panasonic Plasma. Except I'm shelling out more for the 65 VT50 version, probably. There's one con to the VT50 that bother's me, and that's the stupid shiny silver lining around the edges of the bezel.
I'm not sure if the chrome strip on the vt50 is the same as the vt30 but I have grown to like the look on my 65vt30.
Regarding the original question, I'd go with the panny 65 st 50. If budget wasn't an issue I'd go for the 65vt50
