Concert Photography: Canon G6 Vs Lumix FZ3 or 20?

[LittleKezza]

Hi there,

I want to 'ask Santa' for a decent camera for concert photography. The camera would also be my everyday snapper - so portability is a consideration.

Here are previous images I have taken with my current P&S 2MP, 3x zoom Fuji: http://www.voicesuk.net/gallery.html

I have been told that a high F value is important the Canon goes from 2.0-3.0 with 4x zoom, while the Panasonics are constant 2.8 with 10x zoom.

I don't know whether I would need the FZ20 or if the features of the FZ3 would be sufficient. The Canon is the most expensive too!

I need to print up to A4.

HELP!
K x

[Billiam]

How close can you get to the performers? Is 4x zoom enough? If not, you gotta go Pana!

[LittleKezza]

The pictures I posted are taken with a 3x zoom. I think the long zoom would be cool, but I need to print up to A4 (for a non-pro magazine) and portability is an issue.

I can't even get the FZ15 here in the UK - but it'd still be big!

HELP!
K x

[Alnath]

THIS (http://members.aol.com/itsabelter/gull.jpg) was taken at 4x zoom and then cropped to a 5MP image using my G6. Dunno if that helps at all but at least you can see how using a combination of the two you can get pretty close.