Best camera to film live music for under 300-400 pounds?

[Andunemir]

Hi everybody!

I'm new around here and I have a question about which one you think is the best compact camera to film live music at the moment without going over budget.

Most cameras from the main brands do a pretty decent job with the image but my main concern is the audio. I've been using a Canon Ixus 980IS and the sound is incredibly good for a little thing like that, with very low distortion even with the loudest bass. But I need to replace it because the sensor is already missing pixels and the lens is feeling its age (spectacular flaring when hit with halogen lights).

What I'm looking for is something with high resolution, a good zoom and keeping that good sound which seems to be asking too much. My main choices at the moment are the Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX20V and the Canon PowerShot SX240 HS. I'm currently leaning towards the Sony because I know the DSC-HX9V has a very decent sound quality. Considerably more muffled than my Canon (apparently all the stereo mics give more distortion than the mono no matter what) but good enough and the image is great unless the light is very low.

They've also told me about the Lumix DMC-TZ20 (ZS15) but I'm not sure. I have a friend with the older brother, the DMC-TZ30 (ZS20), and the sound does saturate. It has a different microphone though. The TZ20 has a mono system, which might explain a less distorted sound.

The choice pretty much depends on which one has the best sound and second but far which one is best for dark interiors. Any other suggestions are welcome as well and if anybody has any experience, please, let me know.

Thanks!

[SIMON40]

I took an SX40 to a charity musical gig some time ago, and the video's were great- in particular the audio- and you can manually control the record level(though I shot in auto level).
It was by far the best camera I've had with regards the audio capture- and the video worked surprisingly well in low/indoor lighting also- though I was shooting in basic VGA video/30fps- which I've always found works better in low light.

[Andunemir]

Originally Posted by SIMON40

I took an SX40 to a charity musical gig some time ago, and the video's were great- in particular the audio- and you can manually control the record level(though I shot in auto level).
It was by far the best camera I've had with regards the audio capture- and the video worked surprisingly well in low/indoor lighting also- though I was shooting in basic VGA video/30fps- which I've always found works better in low light.

Oh, sorry, I think I should have specified on the title as well. I'm looking for a compact camera.

[SIMON40]

By all accounts the Sony HX20v performs well with regards video/audio.... and the Canon SX240HS shares the sensor of the SX40HS- though whether it's as good in the video/audio stakes remains to be seen.
Here's some video's shot with the canon...
http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Ca...HS/index.shtml

A visit to you tube might give you some idea on various models video/audio capabilities.