I think you should try using the different metering modes on your camera.
In your case of having bright lights from the side or shooting into sunlight I would probably just use spot metering if you can. You may have to change your camera to P mode in order to do it, but thats ok since it is just another kind of fully automatic.
Here is a video explaining how the different metering modes work and why your pictures end up dark. Even though its about the 40D SLR it works the same on all the canon point and shoots I have tried.
YouTube - Canon 40D DVD | Metering Modes | Training Lessons |
Another thing is to not use your flash since it probably does not have the range anyway. but the camera will think it does and make the picture darker to compensate.
Hope this will help - if not you can call me a crazy rambler
