The Panasonic DMC Z720 or another option?

[Jen3n8]

Ok, I need some advice from others who have more knowledge regarding digital cameras as this will be my first digital camera. I maintain a website so some of the pics I'll be taking will end up on it. I'll also be taking a lot of pics in clubs with low light for my brother's band. I want something that's got a fair amount of zoom that will handle low light pics. I've done some research on it and right now it's looking like the Panasonic DMC FZ20 is the way to go without spending $1000+ on a camera. I'm thinking I'll need at least 4 megapixels so that I can use the photos for promo posters for the band as well. I'm not an experienced photographer so I don't want something that has to do a lot of manual settings right away (I do hope to learn about the manual settings in the future).

Am I heading in the right direction when it comes to purchasing or is there another camera that may meet my needs better?

[NYC Jim]

do you mean the FZ20? (just trying to get you some responses; i haven't had mine long enough to judge the low-light capabilities because i haven't learned all the manual controls yet)

[jeisner]

Low light isn't that great as the EVF doesn't gain up so you can't use the viewfinder to frame your subject.... It is simply all black....

The Kodaks (6490 or 7490) handle low light MUCH better with gained up EVF, and better low light focus system! The FZ20 is better in other ways, but if low-light is a key selling point for you then FZ20 isn't the best pick IMHO....