Low light situtation at Concerts

I am looking for a new digital to take pictures at concerts. The low light issue is huge in these settings. I understand that DSLR's are the best for this situation but most venues will not allow this type of camera as they are considered "professional". So my question is what would be the best choice within the point & shoot models? I usually sit within the first 2 rows at shows but my pictures are consistently dark, even when putting my camera on manual settings.

Also in the Fugi market was does FD mean after the model number?

Thanks!

I'd go with the Canon G10. IT has manual settings much like an SLR and is a very popular backup camera for professionals who need a pocket option.

Thanks all for the input. I have been doing some research and thought the Fuji F31FD might be a good choice....any comments? I know this camera is no longer in production but have found a few new camera's online at different locations (also might consider a used camera if it was in good shape).

I had looked at the Panasonic LX3 but discounted due to 10mp and the issue with the more mp the less light that is available.

Has anyone had any issues on Japan versions of this camera or other's? I understand the returning to Japan issue if the camera doesn't work but wondered if there are any other problems?

I find it somewhat amazing to see the continued cult status of the Fuji F31FD leading people to buy a 2 Year old model year camera over current models. Granted, the Fuji had a rather remarkable ability to take good low light pictures with the use of high ISO values and still keep noise within limits but I believe there is a camera out there now that can compete with low light performance as well as provide all the modern features that current cameras provide. Let's see:
1. The Fuji has a f 2.8-5.0 lens. LX3 a f2.0-2.8. Depending on the zoom used, the LX3 will provide anywhere from 2 to4Xs the light of the Fuji. More light means less ISO needed and some of the Fuji's advantages vanish. But wait, there is no IS on the Fuji and the LX3 has one of the best IS in the market providing an additional 1.5 to 2Xs f stop advantage.
2. The Fuji has a 2.5" 230K LCD, the LX3 a 3" 460K LCD.
3. The Fuji uses an Xd 2.0 MB limit memory card, the LX3 can use an SD card that is faster and provides up to 8Xs or more memory. The Xd card is notoriously slow, by the way, although in fairness it has to handle the storage of much smaller images.
4. Up to 15 second shutter speed for the Fuji, 60 seconds for the LX3.
5. Manual Macro mode for the Fuji, automatic for the LX3 although you can use manual Macro for better focus speed and preciseness. The LX3 can focus down to one (1) centimeter.
6.the Fuji lens has a 36-108 mm equivalent but it is hard to beat the advantages (IMHO) of the 24 mm Wide Angle lens.
7. Fuji has no Hot Shoe, the LX3 has. You might want the ability to make that addition of an external flash at some time.
8. Re Flash, the Fuji's is too close to the lens increasing red eye problems, the LX3 has a pop flash further removed from the lens.
9. The LX3 can take pictures in 4:3, 3:2, or 16:9 aspect mode. Nice feature. Fuji ?. Interestingly, the picture in ALL 3 modes will have the same diagonal field of view.
10. The LX3 can do AE bracketing and can even take both RAW and regular JPGs at the same time.
11. Flash not quite right? The LX3 has the ability to adjust its flash power as well as the EV setting.
12. The LX3 has an active Histogram.
13. One of the great things about the LX3 is that it also has many, many other flexible adjustments it can make in picture parameters. The bad news is that it will take me quite a while to figure out and remember what all of them are.

OK, let's state that I must be biased. I have an LX3. And nothing here is to say that the Fuji F31FD wasn't one of the greatest P&S low light cameras ever made. I just wanted to explain that you don't necessarily have to buy a jacked up price used camera without a warranty and perhaps an uncertain future as to reliability or pay an exorbitant price for a new F31 when there might be some reasonable alternatives out there. Someone at Amazon.com wants $700+ for a new Fuji FD31FD. Now that is what I call cult status or someone who is getting greedy beyond reason.

Fred has some really good points, but frankly, all the 3" LCD really deos is drain your battery faster. Sure, it's better and brighter, but I don't really think that's a deal breaker when you consider all you're seeking to do is verify you got the shot. BUt that's just me. As for a hot shoe, the G10 also enjoys that, but aren't you really drawing attention to yourself trying to use an external flash? It won't do much good after row 3 anyway. RAW isn't that big a deal unless you're planning on doing serious photo editing or photo processing where you're altering the image somewhat. I get the sense that RotPaw just wants snapshots and all RAW will do is take up more space on the memory card.

I think you meant 2GB, not 2MB. But I submit that isn't a bad thing. Reason being, if a card get corrupted, you can swap it out for a second card and you're back in the game. The larger the card you have, the less likely you'll have a second card to back you up. Does that make sense?

Your other points are spot on though and I would definitely add the LX3 to the list to consider.

James, your comments are right on, as usual. The comment about the LCD is true but frankly I am very happy with the additional battery drain to obtain a sharper image to view. It gives me a little better idea of the kind of picture I took and comes closer to letting me know if the picture was sharp. But, aside from that it so much nicer when you are showing some of your pictures to friends and family that you have just taken when you are away from the computer.

As far as the flash Hot Shoe I was mentioning that not for the purpose of 3rd row flashing but for other family situations (weddings,etc) where it could come in handy and, of course, a bounce flash is always going to get you better results than the in camera flash with the additional advantage that red eye becomes non-existent.

You got that right about the 2 GB but there is merit in having a big memory card in order to take those 720 HD videos. Yes, I know they are not in replacement of a good video camera like my Sony Hard Drive one but I don't always have that with me. Someone said that the best digital camera is the one that is with you. Maybe we could change that to the best camcorder is the one that is with you?

I agree about the RAW bit. Some of the LX3 people have indicated that they didn't think the RAW was that much better than the LX3 JPGs and have left RAW behind them.I agree about the small card advantage but since I haven't had a single problem since my first Foray into digital cameras in 1998 I tend to not think about that after taken about 9000 pictures (a small number compared to many, I suppose).

Thanks again for your many pieces of Sage advice. It is what makes the Internet such a grand place to surf.

Happy to help, Fred. Good luck.

Thanks to all for the insight!