cidbearit Loc: Canton, MI, USA

I'm heading to Desert Trip in October, which has been described as Coachella for the Baby Boomer generation. This is a bucket list-type event for me, so I'm going to want to capture as much of it as I can. Their website says no professional cameras, which they describe as those with interchangeable lenses. That rules out my D7100...which would be too much to carry around in that environment for three days, anyway. I've done some searching through this forum and through Google, but can't seem to find enough to narrow things down.

Does anyone here have experience with festival style concerts? A high quality P&S would be best, as it would be pocketable. I'm not looking to break the bank on this, but would be willing to go into the $1,000 range if it's for the right camera. The venue is an outdoor venue in the California desert region, so dust and a potential pop-up rain storm are concerns. Also, even though it's not a Coachella crowd, there will be a good deal of bustling and jostling. So a sealed body and durability are considerations (as is some stabilization). I won't be able to take in a tripod or monopod.

The venue will open at 2:00, and the shows will start at dusk. I'm hoping to do a lot of walk-around people/crowd shots (hoping to get some celebs), as well as a lot of concert shots. My seat will be about mid-section of the grandstands, so some zoom would be nice. Flash is out of the question, so sensitivity/speed will be important. I'm also a fan of a viewfinder.

The Sony DSC-RX100 IV looks like a potential candidate, as does the Sony DSC-RX10M II. Even though the latter has a fixed lens, I'm concerned an overzealous security guy would think a bridge camera looks professional and not allow it in. It's also not too pocketable. The RX-100's limited zoom could be a concern for concert shots. And while they both fit the upper end of my budget, if I can get something good for a few hundred less, that would be ideal!

Have at it crew. I want to get something soon so I'll have time to get comfortable with it. I know this is asking a lot, but any help would be appreciated.

Thank you!

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

I would recommend the Canon SX710 HS, 21 megapixels 30X, 25-725mm focal length. $300 new. Pocket size.

sr71 Loc: In Col. Juan Seguin Land

Sony rx10 II for the constant 2.8 or if you want more reach the panasonic fz1000. sony goes to 200 the pana 400. Either one will do ya and they both appear to have the same sensor....

jct842

Paint a nice one pink like a barbie camera! Then there would be no questions.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

If I was forced to go digital I'd use an X100T by Fuji.

This would be a great excuse to get a great camera.


There is one new on Ebay right now for $969.00

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fujifilm-X100T-Digital-Camera-Black-2-Batteries-16GB-More-/321845932389?hash=item4aef833165:g:I9AAAOSwPhdVPp7R


Or you could save some cash and go used:
$889.00 or best offer.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fujifilm-X-Series-X100T-16-3-MP-Digital-Camera-Black-BOXED-FREE-SHIPPING-JAPAN-/331907261273?hash=item4d4736e359:g:zWwAAOSwB9xXPCfo

JPL

If I was going I would just take my phone with me for both pics and videos. I am using a Nokia Lumia 1020. It has very good image quality (much better than Canon SX50 or Nikon P900) and zoom and 41 mpx resolution and stabilizing and f2.2 lens and best of all it has an excellent stereo audio recording. Then I would bring extra power and cable and be all set with that. And at a concert I would be taking videos mostly. This is the smallest high quality gear I can think of. Easy to get around with and delivers good quality images and videos.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

You should be able to sneak a pen f with a prime or two :-). I do this with my epm2 and 20/45mm lenses. It's my pocket ninja setup.

That said, the Fuji x100t would be my second choice.

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

You should get what you want, both into the festival and in pic content, with a Nikon P900. Or you might look at a Panasonic FZ70. And keep either one as your backup camera when you get back. Have a GREAT festival!