G10, raw, and macro

[boki-san]

how does the G10 accomplish the macro setting?

is it purely optical, or is it a digital manipulation, akin to digital zoom?

in other words,
... shooting raw, will i get the same quality result by shooting normally, and then enlarging to desired size in post process?

what, precisely, am i gaining by setting the camera on macro?
does it physically shift the optical elements?
does it further tighten the focus frame, and metering area?

[CJinAustin]

All I know is if you don't have it set to macro it wont focus at super close distances.

[Piet]

Like CJinAustin said, it's a question of the usable focus range. It's no digital zoom. I can hear a physical shifting inside the camera while switching between normal and macro mode, but do not see / know exactly, what's moving.
If you shoot normally and crop, you'll have less resolution as if you get closer in macro mode (up to 1 cm) and get a full resolution picture.

[boki-san]

yes, ... thanx, both of you.
but since my post, i have figured that out.

at that point i hadn't been able to detect any sound, but with the camera pressed against my skull i was able to hear the internal shift of the optics.