You didn't say what size of camera would be ideal?.

Thin ultra compact for shirt pocket without viewfinder? These now come with quite a renge of focal lengths but are not so good for interesting photography..

Pocket sized camera with viewfinder? Canon Ixus range up to G7 (just pocketable)..

Photo enthusiast's camera to hang on a strap around your neck. Fuji 6500/9100. Panasonic Fz50, Canon s5is?DSLR with interchangeable lenses?.

Whilst it is possible to take macro-style shots on a Canon Ixus, you can only really start to do it properly (1:1 size) on an enthusiasts or 'prosumer/bridge camera; which has a screw thread on the end to the lens which allows you to attach close-up lenses. On DSLRs you can buy specialist Macro lenses. Many modern cameras come with image stabilisation and this is a help with shots at the macro and far ends of a lens where movement is accentuated..

If you need to get an 'all-purpose' camera in a hurry then I'd suggest the new Canon s5is or the older s3is. Be certain you like electronic viewfinders though..

(Take a look at the introduction in my 'Back to Bridge Camera' link below to see some of the issues with that kind of camera)..

Anyway, let us know what size of camera you are interested in and then we will be able to give advice which might help you more..

John.Please visit me at:http://www.pbase.com/johnfr/backtothebridgehttp://www.pbase.com/johnfr..

Like I said, I don't care about size, as long as it does the things I asked for..

But yes, Image stabilization, being able to use attachable lenses, and maybe even attach a strobe are things I would like. But being new I would probably like a decent 'auto' feature as well if this combination is possible...

OK... Now these attachable lenses: Will screw-on closup lenses suffice for your use? If so look at a Pansonic FZ50 to get the IS and the manual zoom + hot shoe. The Canon s5 will need a bayonet adapter which is more awkward..

If you want IS in a DSLR that uses interchangeable lenses, look at Pentax K100 and Sony Alpha.John.Please visit me at:http://www.pbase.com/johnfr/backtothebridgehttp://www.pbase.com/johnfr..

I'm going to be honest, I have no idea what will be sufficient... I'm a complete newbie to this.....

All cameras have a fully automatic mode (this includes DSLRs) that allow you to begin taking pictures almost immediately, but some cameras allow you to progress further and further into "manual" control options...

Nikon D40 with 18-55. About $525. This is an SLR with great image quality. At some point add a 55-200 VR lens and a Nikon 4T closeup lens. Another $300...

Paradisio wrote:.

I'm going to be honest, I have no idea what will be sufficient...I'm a complete newbie to this....

You got good answers from John regarding different type of cameras.Now you need to answer what kind of budget you have..

If you have unlimited amount of money to spend, go for a nice DSLR with loads of lenses for it..

If you're on a budget, look at a "bridge-cam" like Canon S3/S5, or a similar 12x zoom from Panasonic or Fuji..

If you just have no clue what to expect, check my site below. Its in swedish, but I think you'll get how to press the menus at top for different cathegories, and click pictures to view them large. I got loads of macros in there, all of the macros taken with my cheap Canon S3 and a Raynox closeup-lens. Very cheap solution, if the quality is enough for you. These closeup-lenses also fit if you buy a Panasonic or Fuji or Sony ultrazoom camera. In some ways it's harder to shoot macro with a compact and closeup-lens versus a DSLR (no TTL viewfinder among others), but in other aspects it's easier too (longer DOF and swivel display and more) so it's up to you in the end http://sebastianfoto.se/..

Thanks that quality is close to what I'm looking for, I posted my budget in the original post, up to $600 or so. I see the S5 recommended a lot, right now it's probably my choice..

Paradisio wrote:.

Thanks that quality is close to what I'm looking for, I posted mybudget in the original post, up to $600 or so. I see the S5recommended a lot, right now it's probably my choice.

Ok, I didn't see that. With $600 it's hard to get a complete DSLR-system, including good macro, so probably some kind of bridge-cam with closeuplens is what you have to aim for. I love my camera, but it has serious problems with chromatic abberations....probably more so than Panasonics similar cameras. On the other hand the S3/S5 is very good in most other aspects, so it's a tough choise..

Good luck anyway http://sebastianfoto.se/..

If it helps the $600 is just for the camera. Anything I can buy separately I can get later...