Opinions of the best/cheapest Point and Shoot Digital camera for Macro Photography

[scrubca]

Hi All,

I know this is a bit off topic. But this forum is the best body of knowledge I have found about photography, so I thought I would ask here.


I am looking for the best my best option for a point and shoot camera with decent macro capabilities.

This is for work and we would be taking quite a pics of small details.. broken bottles, imperfections in pills etc.


Here is my wishlist.

Must be:
Macro capability
low cost

would like:
Megapixel: around 3 ... not important.
optical zoom

Does not necessary have to be Canon. I have used Canon all my life and like their products, but for work, I can stray if needed.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[S45_fornow...]

Nikons are well known for their great macro capabilities. I'm not familiar with the models so I can't recommend one though.

[nitsch]

Hi Scrubca, Welcome to the forum!

I would have thought that getting an image of imperfections in pills would require at least 1:1 (ie. true macro) magnification. I don't know of any point & shoot models which can do this without modification.

If your budget would stretch to it how about a used 300D and something like a used Sigma 105mm macro lens? I don't know what part of the world you are in but in the UK this setup would probably cost in the region of £450. Is this within budget? With a setup like this and a tripod you would be able to capture some very detailed shots.

[SloNeZ600]

Take an imperfect pill to a camera store and give it a go :
I have the canon S1IS ; a model that is 3MP with 10Xoptical zoom and can focus within inches for macro work; Since it is being replace by the more costly S2IS, I would imagine this camera could be now purchased fr about $250.

[scrubca]

I would love to get the 300D and a Macro lens, (Esp since I have a 300D myself and could use a macro lens). But I think that is out of our budget.

The main purpose is taking quick digital pics... second is being about to get details of those pics.

Thanks I will keep looking

Hi Scrubca, Welcome to the forum!

I would have thought that getting an image of imperfections in pills would require at least 1:1 (ie. true macro) magnification. I don't know of any point & shoot models which can do this without modification.

If your budget would stretch to it how about a used 300D and something like a used Sigma 105mm macro lens? I don't know what part of the world you are in but in the UK this setup would probably cost in the region of £450. Is this within budget? With a setup like this and a tripod you would be able to capture some very detailed shots.

[CyberDyneSystems]

When I was ooking for a pocket camera I looked closely at the "A-80" at the time and was impressed with it's macro capability and the swiveling LCD screen.

I know by now the A-80 has been replaced.. but you may want to look at the "A" series for this type of LCD screen. It helps a lot.

[MattyB]

go have a look at the spec's on the IXUS 30.
i've got one and i'm happy with it.
it's got 3.2megapixel, macro option, optical zoom, + stacks more.

retails for around $400 in australia. but i got it for 380 from JB-HIFI

http://canon.com.au/products/cameras/digital_compact_cameras/digitalixus30.html

3.2 Megapixel
Canon 3x optical zoom lens
60fps movie recording and playback with sound
Super fast DiG!C II Imaging Processor
Print/Share* Button allows easy 'one push' printing of images straight from the camera


...
Shooting Modes:

Auto / Manual (Long Shutter is available)/ Stitch Assist / Movie / Scene Mode (Digital Macro, Portrait, Night Snapshot, Kids & Pets, Indoor, Underwater)

[nwyman]

Take an imperfect pill to a camera store and give it a go :
I have the canon S1IS ; a model that is 3MP with 10Xoptical zoom and can focus within inches for macro work; Since it is being replace by the more costly S2IS, I would imagine this camera could be now purchased fr about $250.

I got my S1 two months ago, for $289.00 I love it - and it does fine with close shots as well as far.

Nancy

[KnobCreek]

I'd have to agree on the S1 as being a viable selection. With it's replacement already being announced, the price has dropped down significantly since I purchased mine. I can get great shots of my NScale trains with the S1, but since I purchased my 10D, the S1 has been given to my kids.

[Poco]

I think most of the Canon P&S (and probably other brands) do a decent macro job. I have an s400 and they are getting downright cheap (soon to be $269 Canadian at Costco, that's the equivalent of $212 US). I suspect that any of the A,S, or SD models will do well enough.

Is this enough detail for your pills and bottles? This is a 100% crop of an unedited photo of a frog's face. He was probably a couple of inches long.

[scrubca]

Great Picture Poco,

I will look into it. The Costco's in Toronto only have the S410. Is there much difference between that and the S400?

[Bamamike]

Hi,
I have a Pentax Optio S40 and it is capable to take a shot of a quarter in full frame. This is my light travel camera for overseas trips with already heavy luggage or the party point&shoot. A bit too much noise at ISO 400 but a cigarette-box sized camera with a lot of manual settings.

[Poco]

Great Picture Poco,

I will look into it. The Costco's in Toronto only have the S410. Is there much difference between that and the S400?

The S410 is newer and I believe it takes higher res movies (640x480 instead of 320x240) but I'm not exactly sure. I meant to say that Costco has the S410, but I consider them the same (at least I hope so, because if anything happens to my S400 I need to replace it with something that will fit in my underwater housing).

Don't forget that Costco has a $50 off coupon for that camera coming up at the end of the month. http://forums.redflagdeals.com/showthread.php?t=159250&highlight=costco

[Jon]

Have you read the A70 Macro sticky (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=50124)?

[scrubca]

Have you read the A70 Macro sticky (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=50124)?

I have now.... WOW...

thanks for the link... I'll be looking into that alot more now.

[CyberDyneSystems]

... but get the A80... the A70 did not have that pivoting LCD ;)

[Jon]

A95 - the A80's been replaced by the A95. Link was more for what can be done with most any of them.