Recommendations! Please help!

[emoryritter]

Hi! I used to shoot at rock concerts/small venues several years ago but could never get a good, clear shot without using a flash. I have been asked to shoot more shows, but would prefer not to use a flash. I am planning on buying a more expensive/advanced camera in the near future but I do not know much about them. I would like a recommendation for a digital camera that takes good, clear, non-flash, motion shots in the low light settings of concert venues. Price range: $100-$1,000. Right now I have an old Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P51 and a Kodak EasyShare DX4900, both of which are in declining health. I want to buy a camera that won't limit so much what I can do. I don't want to have to use a flash. I want to be able to enjoy what I am doing and being that limited makes it difficult. I would definitely like a camera far more advanced than the two I have listed above, but NOT as advanced as, say, a Canon EOS 5D. I'm not experienced enough for one of the latter. The first non-digital camera I ever used on a regular basis was a Pentax K1000, but that was several years ago. I have a little experience with advanced digital photography at shows. PLEASE give me your recommendations on what camera is right for me considering what and how I want to shoot and my experience level. Any advice you give will definitely be reviewed, considered, and appreciated!

[Greg McCary]

I think you should look for a DSLR with a fast zoom lens. I have never shot concerts but you can do much more with a DSLR. I think if you shop around you could get one under a grand. The Olympus 510's are close to that price range and has Image Stablisation and you can shoot several stops lower than one without it. Pentax also has IS. I am a firm beleiver in the IS technology.

[emoryritter]

Thank you, Greg! I'll take a look at some cameras with those features....

[pauling]

How about Canon? It always has some great comments