Camera for Concerts

[UMjenna]

I want to start out by saying, I'm not an expert photographer or anything so what I'm looking for is an easy-to-use p&s digital camera that is fairly compact. I go to a lot of concerts so I'm really looking for something that will perform well in low-light situations. Optical image stabilization would also be nice. I will also probably be taking some video with this camera so good video/audio quality are somewhat important. After a lot of researching, I'm trying to figure out if I would be better off with a Panasonic Lumix TZ5 or a Fuji f100fd (or perhaps a much cheaper refurbished Fuji f20, which is said to work well with low-light conditions). Here is what I like about each:

Panasonic TZ5: 10x zoom, optical image stabilization
Fuji f-series: ability to perform in low-light conditions w/out flash

If anyone has any advice on which choice would be better...or perhaps another option for me, I would love to hear it. Any response is much appreciated! Thanks. :)

[UMjenna]

To be a bit more specific on my previous post, here is some more criteria:

Budget: under $300 (for camera alone, not including memory card)
Size: fairly compact...I was considering a Fuji S700 but thought it was a bit bulky. If it fits in my purse, I'm happy.
Megapixels: I really don't care, I'm not planning on blowing these pictures up.
Image Quality: This is pretty important to me. I want to be able to get shots with sharpness and color.

** I realize that most bands don't allow cameras, but the bands that I see are not as well known and they allow cameras and flash photography.

Thanks!

[speaklightly]

jenna-

Take a look at the Panasonic FZ-28. It has 10mp 28 to 504mm (in 35mm terms) of zoom and does really well at ISO 800 in low light conditions like you find at concerts. B&H has had it on Christmas Special at $(US) 235.00. Here is a sample photo.

Sarah Joyce

[UMjenna]

Thanks Sarah. That is an amazing picture. Did you touch it up at all? I read about that camera and it got wonderful reviews, but it looks a little bigger than what I'm looking for. Do you have any advice on something more compact?

[speaklightly]

No, Jenna-

I am fearful to tell you that really the best there is, is the Panasonic FZ-28!

I compensated by getting a bigger purse. The image quality cannot currently be beaten. So I am sorry to say that is all I have to offer that really works quite well.

Sarah Joyce

[KCook]

For ultracompacts I would try the Fujifilm F100fd and Nikon S560. "Try" being the operative word, buy from a store that makes returns easy.

Kelly Cook

[speaklightly]

Kelly-

Please post a few of your no flash/existing light photos, won't you, please! I don't hesitate to post mine. Now it up to you.

Sarah Joyce

[KCook]

No problemo Sarah. Just ship me one each Fuji F100fd and Nikon S560 :)

Kelly

[speaklightly]

That's a good one, Kelly-

I know we all live in a day and age where everything shoud be as thin and small as an I-Pod. However, I actually have explored the alternative smaller cameras, such as the Panasonic TZ-5, for example, and the results were poor. So then I moved up the food chain so as to speak and even bought and took photos with both the Sony H-50, the Panasonic FZ-18, and then the Pansonic FZ-28.

What makes the FZ-28 better for high ISO's and no flash is the new Venus 4 processor. So for what ut can do, the FZ-28 is one heck of a camera.

Yes, there are more expensive solutions, such as the Olympus E-420 or the Nikon D-90that can shoot excellent photos up to ISO 1600 and by using software based noise eliminators such as Noise Ninja, and Neat Image, you can get some really good photos.

The DSLR cameras are not even as small as the FZ-28 and they cost from $(US) 600.00 to 1,100.00 which puts them out of reach. I am willing to listen to anyone's experiences, and look at their photos, but I have ben through a lot of P&S cameras and many experimenting photos to get the photos that I have posted.

Yes, several years ago there was the Fuji S-6000, a great high ISO/no flash camera, I know I still ocassionally shoot with mine, but it had no IS, and it was physically bigger than the FZ-28. here is a photo sample from the Sony H-50. It is also good but just not quite as sharp as the FZ-28

Sarah Joyce

[KCook]

Excellent point about that "food chain". I mentioned the ultracompacts only because the OP continued to post concerns about the bulk of the FZ jobs. I had a Canon S3 myself, now happier with a handy Fuji F45fd. But then I haven't tried to shoot folks galloping across a stage either! Don't give up on me just yet, I'm still trying to work up enough courage to pop for a DSLR. Then I will have a foot planted firmly in each world.

Kelly

[UMjenna]

I know that I'm not going to find any compact digital that takes perfectly wonderful pictures at concerts. I'm using these pictures for my own personal use, so if they are a bit blurry or whatever, that's understandable. I am just asking, which camera, of a Fuji Finepix f-series or a Panasonic Lumix TZ5, would be better for what I want to do? Thanks. :)

[pas49ras]

I know that I'm not going to find any compact digital that takes perfectly wonderful pictures at concerts. I'm using these pictures for my own personal use, so if they are a bit blurry or whatever, that's understandable. I am just asking, which camera, of a Fuji Finepix f-series or a Panasonic Lumix TZ5, would be better for what I want to do? Thanks. :)

If you need/want the 10x zoom in a small form, the TZ-5 is your best bet. If you need the best available high ISO performance and can live with a 3x zoom, get the Fuji 100fd. There are trade offs for the small size and you need to figure out what is best for you. Check out the great comparisons below..

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q408premiumgroup/

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q408slimgroup/

[speaklightly]

UMjenna-

I still remain very much in favor of the Panasonic FZ-28, but if form factor remains the barrier, then the TZ-5 is not a bad choice. The TZ-5 is now selling at its all time low prices.

Sarah Joyce

[UMjenna]

Thanks for all the helpful feedback! I really appreciate it! :)