I'm looking for a new camera. I've done considerable online research and have narrowed it down to the minolta z5, the panasonic dmc-fz5 or the sony dsc-h1. I need a good low light camera for inside and night shots. I'd like to be able to take nice action shots of my daughter playing soccer, and have the ability to take some "school play" type videos of my daughter. I know the cameras are comparable in side by side comparison, but I'd like some real world users advice. I'm also looking for reliability, having been burned in the past by Canon, and am not looking to repeat that expirience.

thanks
Arlowe

I can't advise to how good the other two cameras are, but i own a panasonic fz5 and have had it for 5 months, I chose it due to it's size and portability and for it's zoom range.
I am still experimenting with the manual settings, but the camera seems to perform well just on the automatic settings in a range of difficult light situations ? due in part to the optical stabilizer?? (I'm no techinical bod). It also has a great little button to enable fast shooting for action shooting for sports and stuff. It takes good video clips too.

It is also very user friendly unless you have very big hands!
The downside is that it is only 5 pixels with a fairly small sensor and can't really compete with the slrs in picture quality but you get what you pay for and it does have a good leica lense.

Anyway please feel free to check out my gallery i have a range of photos taken with the panazonic fz5, a motocross bike, sunsets, dancers in low lighting, fog. (just check the exif as some are from other cameras)

Hope this helps a little

Potto