camera ignorant....advise please.

[coolbeans]

i currently have a Fuji Finepix s1000, 10.0 megapixels, 12x optical zoom. I am a complete and total picture freak , love taking pics and am looking to upgrade my camera.
i'm looking for suggestions!!
my complaints about current camera (which may happen with all cameras.. not sure)
1. beach shots are hard, anything really bright is rough.
2. dark places are the same..

so, basically i have issues is bright sun and dark..lol!!!

help! and thanks!!