So my wife wants to get a digital camera that has the ability to zoom in close to a small object. She wants to get detail so that she can post good pictures on ebay, of small objects. Things like charms for charm braceletts.
Every digital camera that I can think of has a macro zoom function, but they vary in terms of how close you can get. Some you need to be 12 inches away from the object, some you can be extremely close. I'd say that you should make your primary purchasing decision based on other factors like price, size, etc., then confirm that it does macro (most will). Macro is one of those "you probably can't go wrong" types of features...
Actually, you can. Heh. Some Canon's have terrible macro functions. It should be called "A little closer" rather than "macro". =P
My suggestion is to first decide on the cameras you like, then go to dpreview.com or imaging-resource.com to see how small an area the cameras you like can cover in macro mode.
In general, the Nikons do very well in macro mode.
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Baka. Soku. Zan. - The justice behind the dysORDer.
Actually, you can. Heh. Some Canon's have terrible macro functions. It should be called "A little closer" rather than "macro". =P
NOW you tell me! I just ordered a G3 a few days ago. Hopefully this weakness only appears in the lower models -- a review I read on the web put its built-in macro lens at 1.5 inches minimum distance.
Sometimes you don't want the camera in macro mode for close-up shots. In some of my reviews I had to "fool" the (old) camera to get the right shot.
My parents have the G2, it's not too bad, but you still have to be a good 2 inches away, whereas with my olympus I can get within 3/4". If you're mostly posting on Ebay, you can probably zoom in digitally because you're just going to compress it anyway...
I have a Canon PowerShot Pro 1 and its super macro mode gets in under an inch. I haven't measured it precisely but I'd guess around a couple of centimeters +/-
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Primary: Canon EOS-5D Mark II; Secondary: Canon EOS-1D Mark III; Back Ups: Canon PowerShot G7 and Canon EOS-1N
Nothing like a Nikon camera if you want to get really close though. The Minolta Dimgae 7 and A series also have a pretty small coverage area, and they do it on the tele end of the zoom.
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Baka. Soku. Zan. - The justice behind the dysORDer.
I have a Canon PowerShot Pro 1 and its super macro mode gets in under an inch. I haven't measured it precisely but I'd guess around a couple of centimeters +/-
NO, still waiting for the Mark II. Local dealer thinks they may start shipping this week. In the meantime, learning the Pro1 eases the impatience a little.
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Primary: Canon EOS-5D Mark II; Secondary: Canon EOS-1D Mark III; Back Ups: Canon PowerShot G7 and Canon EOS-1N
Digital Cameras with macro zoom?
I just ordered a G3 a few days ago. Hopefully this weakness only appears in the lower models -- a review I read on the web put its built-in macro lens at 1.5 inches minimum distance. 
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