Looking to buy a camera and need some advice.

[driver8]

I am looking for a camera that takes decent shots in low light. The thing is, my wife doesn't want a DSLR -- she wants something simple that she can use at our kids' school (low light in auditorium). I guess I'm looking for something between a point and shoot and a DSLR. I would like to keep the price under $300.00.

Any help would be appreciated -- thanks!

[ManiacJoe]

1. Need more details.

What activities are you looking to shoot in this low light? Slower stage performances might get you more options than sports/dance.

Is the use of flash an option or are you looking for something that has good noise handling at high ISO settings?

On the point&shoot side, you are probably looking for something with a new sensor but lower mega-pixels (so that the individual pixels are bigger/less noisy).

On the DSLR side, for Nikon, you are probably looking at either the D5000 or D90 or D300 for the higher ISO handling. (Assuming you are not looking to break the bank with a full-frame DSLR.) For the Canon lines, you would be looking for a similar body to those Nikons. (Someone else will need to jump in with those specific model numbers.)

[driver8]

2. Slower stage performances are what I want to shoot.

I wanted to get a D5000, but my wife wants something that will be easier for her to handle. So, the DSLR is out. I guess I want a beefed up point and shoot with a little more flexibility.

Whenever we go to performances at school, the photos we take are always dark. I just want to be able to take photos that allow us to see the kids!

Thanks for the reply -- I appreciate it.

[ManiacJoe]

3. The Canon G11 seems to get good reviews from my coworkers.

(n/t)

[mth44sc]

4. I also suggest the G11

I have one and between its ability to do el servo (they call it quick shot) and the ISO settings - it should get the job done. Nice camera.

A review is here

[CC]

8. Take her to a camera shop

and have to hold a D5000 set on program with a 50 mm lens. It works just like a point and shoot like that or you could try it with a smaller kit zoom lens. You can even set the ISO and color balance to auto. Then as you or she get more adventurous you can learn to use the other settings.

[alfredo]

5. go up to $399 and get the Canon S90. It has good low

light performance. Look at the reviews on Amazon.

[RagingInMiami]

6. I am not familiar with the G11

But from my experience, you get what you pay for. A point and shoot will always be a point and shoot. You will always have serious limitations with it, especially when it comes to low light.

Even with a DSLR, you're going to have to go with a faster lens in order to shoot decent photos in low light. Both Nikon and Canon sell the 50 f/1.8 for less than a hundred bucks, which is probably the best value you're ever going to get with a lens.

Some point and shoots allow you to increase the exposure like you would in an DSLR, but then you're going to have the problems of camera shake.

[alfredo]

7. The OP wants a good low light camera for around $300.

The G11 lens is: F/2.8-4.5

The Lumix DMC-LX3 f/2.0 to f/8.0; tele: f/2.8 to f/8.0 I haven't heard anything bad about this camera. It's pretty much a Leica D-Lux 4 with different software and lacking a red dot. I was going to buy one, but they were flying off the shelves and nobody had them. This one doesn't have a very good zoom, so it may not be good for what the OP wants.