Looking for a pocket sized, light weight dig camera

[old skool]

I am looking primarily for small and light weight for hiking/backpacking and general use when I don't need my DSLR, or don't want to carry it around.

I would prefer if it took decent macro shots, and had a flash that was half decent. I would prefer if it used SD cards.

I have scanned the reviews, read up, looked around and still don't know what fits my criteria. I tried an SD750 as a gift for a friend. I was not impressed with the macro shots. By macro, I mean close up shots of small items. I had a Pentax OptioS that took amazing macro shots because the flash would fire at a reduced capacity so that it wouldn't hot spot the frame. I would love something like that. Of course it also had an optical zoom which was nice.

[fishtek]

I am looking primarily for small and light weight for hiking/backpacking and general use when I don't need my DSLR, or don't want to carry it around.

I would prefer if it took decent macro shots, and had a flash that was half decent. I would prefer if it used SD cards.

I have scanned the reviews, read up, looked around and still don't know what fits my criteria. I tried an SD750 as a gift for a friend. I was not impressed with the macro shots. By macro, I mean close up shots of small items. I had a Pentax OptioS that took amazing macro shots because the flash would fire at a reduced capacity so that it wouldn't hot spot the frame. I would love something like that. Of course it also had an optical zoom which was nice.

I bought a G10 to serve as an alternative to the DSLR. Not QUITE "fit-in-the-pocket" small, but a really, really nice camera. Great macro capability, lots of variables possible via menu and function buttons, good zoom ratio, and it handles like a rangefinder.

Another to consider might be the A590IS. I bought one for my wife, as she wants to keep things simple (Full auto available). It also has many of the variables of the G10, and a good macro, AA batteries, and around $110.00 from Amazon.com.

Happy hunting.....
Don

[ins1355]

I just bought a 990 is, and have attached a couple shots taken in macro focus. Distance is less than 5 inches. The lime is about one half inch in diameter.
The flash works well enough, but is not very powerful.
Except for resizing these are straight from the camera.