Help me find a good point and shoot camera QUICK?

~Dixie's_Mom~

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#1
I'm going to the Justin Bieber concert in 23 days. I need a point and shoot because I can't bring my SLR into the venue. I've wanted a nice p&s for a while anyway, so I'm willing to spend what I need to, but I really don't want to spend more than $300-$400. Everything I'm reading says canon is the way to go (and I've always heard they make a better p&s). It will be low lighting obviously and I'm in section 102 row B so I'm not on the floor but I'm in the 2nd row of the "raised" seats (which isn't raised very much so basically I'm at the back of the floor seats). So I'll need decent zoom. I'd really like to be able to set this thing on auto, turn the flash off, and shoot. I have 23 days to get this camera so I need to order it now. I got a Sony cyber-shot DSC-WX150 for Christmas but I think I'm going to take it back. It's a cool camera but with the test shots I've done with it, I don't think it's going to work for what I need it for.

Photographers please help me!!
 

JacksonsMom

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#2
Panasonic Lumix. I got AMAZING pics with mine at concerts.

Go to my Facebook page and look at my Backstreet Boys albums, lol.
 

JacksonsMom

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#3
Now, obviously these were up close. But even when I was farther away, the Lumix got GREAT shots.... I just can't seem to find them.





 

~Dixie's_Mom~

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#4
Those are AWESOME! Another one I saw popping up was the lumix! I've had no experience with Panasonic though, so I didn't know how reliable that was. But those pics are great!! What row were you here?
 

tzigane

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An internationally known portrait photographer I used to follow love love LOVED his Lumix when it came out. I think he actually did a series of portraits for his work using the Lumix he loved it so much.
 

~Dixie's_Mom~

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#6
Wow that's awesome. I'm glad to hear that! Anyone have experience with canon powershot cameras? Any idea about Canon powershot v. Panasonic lumix?
 

Lyzelle

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#7
I looked at the Powershot briefly. Wasn't impressed. I like Canon's higher quality cameras. Good value. But the point and shoots just seem like a money steal. You're not getting much for what you are paying. There are better similarly priced p&s's out there.

I like the Lumix. I have a Casio Exilim now, and it isn't bad. Gives you plenty of options for shutter speed, white balance, ISO, plus HD recording. I got it around $80. Loving it so far, but I haven't tested it without the flash in low light situations, yet.
 
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#8
I am not a fan of the Powershot. Effing thing drove me insane until finally it was fatally injured in a tragic camping accident.
 

JacksonsMom

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#9
Those are AWESOME! Another one I saw popping up was the lumix! I've had no experience with Panasonic though, so I didn't know how reliable that was. But those pics are great!! What row were you here?
I was 2nd row, lol. But seriously I had some pics where I was up in seats like you were describing and they still turned out really good all considering. I think it had 10 or 12x zoom (the one I had) but now they come with much more zoom.

I had some kind of Canon P&S once and I wasn't terribly impressed. I LOVE Canon, but for concerts and such, they weren't reliable as much as my Lumix.
 

~Dixie's_Mom~

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I'm so glad I made a thread! A bunch of people on yahoo answers, etc were recommending the canon, but I definitely trust you guys! I'm going to call best buy and electronic express and see if they have a lumix I can test out. Yay! I'm glad to know people who have experience. So Brittany, did you just shoot on auto or have to mess with settings and stuff?
 

Fran27

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#11
Ok frankly I wouldn't bother for a concert. Unless you're really close... you'd probably need a very expensive zoom to be able to take a picture of anything (and flash isn't allowed usually).
 

Aleron

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#12
I have liked my Canon Elphs really well but the models I've had/have are all pretty limited zoom. I have a Panasonic zs3 (Lumix) superzoom that I really like. For concerts an added bonus is that it takes great video with great sound, especially considering it isn't a camcorder. It's an old model, although a lot of people still swear by them. I also have a Panasonic ZS10 but TBH I'm not as thrilled with it as the ZS3. The videos look awesome, a bit better than the ZS3 but...the sound isn't as good. And the pictures while still pretty good, are definitely more noisier.

A lot of the pictures on my FB were taken with the ZS3...

Concert pix (only 10 in this album, I got tons more): https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151055450225850.493887.713490849&type=3

More concert pix, most taken with ZS3, some of the older ones with an older Elph: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.114331900849.119542.713490849&type=3

Roadtrip! https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.443663075849.229567.713490849&type=3


And then there's this guy, who's totally mastered his ZS3. Everything on his Flickr is taken with that camera: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mirepapa/sets/72157624418465274/

Some concert footage from my ZS3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UtV_CLkOf8&feature=share&list=UUu6HpHkWJ0MS1xxYuXo35nA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAt6IvmA0_U&feature=share&list=UUu6HpHkWJ0MS1xxYuXo35nA

If you could find a refurbished Zs3 I bet you'd be pretty happy with it as a P&S, especially for concert photography. I actually have been considering getting a second one myself!
 

JacksonsMom

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#13
I'm so glad I made a thread! A bunch of people on yahoo answers, etc were recommending the canon, but I definitely trust you guys! I'm going to call best buy and electronic express and see if they have a lumix I can test out. Yay! I'm glad to know people who have experience. So Brittany, did you just shoot on auto or have to mess with settings and stuff?
I'm pretty sure I used one of the modes. I can't remember now... may have been night mode or something of the sorts.
 

~Dixie's_Mom~

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#14
Aleron, those are AWESOME especially the videos, wow! I will die if I get videos that good at this concert. My sister and I both agree that it looks like it could be on tv! I'm really confused now about models though! I can't figure out if I want an older or newer model.

The z3 is only $95 on amazon though, WOW! I could get that and a newer model (in the $200 range) and my sister and I could both be shooting/recording.

ETA: It's $95 used. Looks like a good deal though. Says it has body scratches but no scratches on the lens, guaranteed to work perfectly.
 

Aleron

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Aleron, those are AWESOME especially the videos, wow! I will die if I get videos that good at this concert. My sister and I both agree that it looks like it could be on tv! I'm really confused now about models though! I can't figure out if I want an older or newer model.

The z3 is only $95 on amazon though, WOW! I could get that and a newer model (in the $200 range) and my sister and I could both be shooting/recording.
Thanks!

If you're looking for sound quality like my vids...you'll probably want a ZS3. The ZS10, the video is a bit better (less streaky lights, less moments of overexposure) but the vocals are pretty dampened. It has a different mic than the ZS3. There's a lot of dicussion on different forums about the older vs. newer ZS series. The ZS7 is supposed to be a bit better for photos but I still worry about the sound quality with the mic "upgrade".

We often do 2 camera shoots and my husband edits the film together. https://www.youtube.com/user/shemekalikashenice

I will say though...We are generally pretty close. The zoom will help you get better video from your seats but it can only go so far. Maybe you would do well to get a ZS3 and something with a bit more reach. Then you can use the sound from the ZS3 and video from both. If you are of the mind to get into it to that degree.
 

Southpaw

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#18
Aww no Canon love lol. My Canon Powershot was my most favorite camera I've had, and that was... 7 or 8 years ago? So I'd imagine they're even better now.

It totally depends on the "type" of Powershot you get though, like yeah the cute colorful ones that most people get are probably pretty lame. On their website, the "high end advanced" ones are going to be the better ones and are more in line with what I used to have:
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/digital_cameras

The SX130 IS isn't priced too bad on Amazon.

I don't go to concerts and have therefore never taken pictures at concerts so I can't attest to its ability there, although I'm sure some review somewhere would have that info. I just know that I thought it was awesome at everything else. My friend had a Powershot that was a few years newer than mine and I really, really liked hers as well.
 

Dizzy

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#19
I always had the canon powershot and loved them. You can get them with manual settings, get fab pics for a small camera. Not had one in awhile though.

Never liked the Panasonic p&s as they don't seem to have as much flexibility. If you have the money though, go for one of the G series, with removable lenses... I have one, good camera. Don't use it enough though! One step away from dslr.
 

JessLough

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#20
Never liked the Panasonic p&s as they don't seem to have as much flexibility. If you have the money though, go for one of the G series, with removable lenses... I have one, good camera. Don't use it enough though! One step away from dslr.
I'm pretty sure the reason she can't bring her DSLR is because you aren't allowed cameras with removable lenses. At least, that's the issue with them for concerts here. :lol-sign:
 

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