Cameras that can take hand held night shots

[tinkspark]

Traditionally I would use an SLR and a tripod to take night shots, especially ones where I want the people in the foreground as well as the background. However, I have seen a few families that can take just as beautiful photographs with their digital without a tripod and the camera they pulled out of their pocket!

I am looking for anyone that might have a camera that can do that. What type of camera do you have, and do you mind sharing a few night shots?

Also I'd like to know if during the day you can shoot fast.

 

[DueyDooDah]

I would think that it's not the camera that's the factor here, but the camera/lens combo. Having a nice, fast lense sitting on a SLR is key to night/dark photo sessions, along with patience and tenacity. I would suggest having a lense with at least f/2.8, if not better.