Best High-end non-slr for low light action pics

I have three Grandaughters in competitive cheerleading -- the worst
possible situation for good pics. I am often 100' away from the
action, the lighting is at best average, and the action is fast.

I have to use at least 1/250 to stop the action, but then the low
light and distance makes thing really hard to get crisp pics, even
with the ISO cranked way up, and "noise ninja" used afterwards.

I have been using a Nikon D300 DSLR with a big lens that works pretty
well, but it weighs a ton, and at some of the events, the officials
won't let spectators bring in equipment that looks like professional
stuff.

So, I am hoping some of you might have some suggestions on the new
crop of "bridge" cameras,.. meaning non-slrs that have a great zoom
AND low-light capability,... the cameras that rival DSLRs in
capability.

Thanks for any info,

mel

 

Leica M9

 

They won't bother with a D3000 and a small zoom, use one of them.
P&S's are useless for anything indoors unless you can use the flash.

 

Yeah,.. maybe I can hock one of the Grandaughters to put a down
payment on the Leica. It sure does look like a capable camera, though.

 

Panasonic GF1 and Olympus EP 1, dpreview has indepth reviews of both.

 

....I use a D300 with battery pack and an 80-200 f2.8 shooting marching
bands under the lights at football fields, and indoor Winterguards
(flags and such and dance, etc.) in gyms locally...it's pretty
freakin' heavy, but I stay in shape. I get great results hand-held,
but it took alot of practice...I don't use a mono 'cause I want the
low angles. You need to get in touch with the people in charge
beforehand...usually all you need to do is ask, but in some cases a
pro outfit may have rights contracturally, in that case get in touch
with *them* and state your intentions, it should work out...I can't
imagine using a P&S for this kind of work, but there *may* be one...

cg

 

A superzoom P&S might work, best would be borrow one or see what
others have luck with. dpreview has good reviews covering most
aspects.