Steve I have a Sony DCR-TRV22E about £375.00 6 months ago and the way these things go, probably a lot less now. Measures about 125mm x 80mm x 60mm thick. Touch screen, memory stick, zoom and a lot of other stuff I don't understand.
Dunno about the 996 cos I've got an ST4!! Its 155mm long 95mm high and 75mm wide so its slightly bigger than the sony. My plan is to use it with a bullet cam but as yet i havent got around to it.
All you need to make sure when you buy is that its got AV in,not all cams do.