Which is the best camera?

Hi,

Thanks for replying so quickly! Which in your opinion would be the best camera to purchase to take shots of nighttime parades at Disney World and my daughters' recitals in a darkened auditorium? Also I do want a camera that works properly in AUTO mode but that does have the other modes at my disposal if I should wish to use them. Some people have mentioned that the OLYMPUS SP-800UZ works great but when I read the reviews I am not so sure. I would really appreciate your thoughts and opinions.

Thanks very much!

JPLD

Now is the time to learn how to make some simple adjustments because "Auto" mode is not "all knowing".

The nighttime parade at Disney Land and Disney World is not a problem for either camera.
The lights in the parade are bright enough that just about any camera will get good results.

Just turn-off the flash and take all the parade pictures you want.
Read the manual and practice turning-off the flash, so you know how when the time comes.

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Taking pictures of people "on-stage" in a darkened theater requires a camera adjustment.
There is usually enough stage lighting to get a good Picture.
But all that darkness around the stage will fool your camera.
The default exposure setting will try to even out the stage lighting and also the black surrounding. You will get a dark photo. You want the camera to only see the stage lighting.

To do this you must change the exposure setting to "spot" or "center".
Then the camera will ignore the darkness surrounding the stage.

If the camera has a problem with focus, change the focus setting to "spot" or "center" too.

And you must, must, must turn-off the flash.

Again, read the manual and learn how to do those functions before-hand.
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Either camera will work well in the situations you described.

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Thanks very much for the tips. I will get right on that and try your suggestions. Hopefully, I will have some luck.

Thanks again!