"Cheapest Digital Camera With Macro" Topic

I need to take some good quality pics of mini's for a commercial website so I am in the market for a camera that can do that bu at the same time I don't want to waste money on a camera that I don't plan on using for anything else.

So what is the absolutely cheapest Digital camera with Macro that can take decent pics of minis?

Buy used on Ebay. I still have an Olympus E-10 which is probably 10 years old or so. Large built in lens and only 4MP BUT it still takes excellent quality photos. The E-20 model upped it to 5MP. Uses alkaline or rechargeable AA batteries so it makes it very convenient.

The other cameras to look at are some of the older Nikon's.

I can't speak to newer cameras, sorry. The megapixel race has diminished the quality of a lot of digital cameras as it has become more about how many megapixels a camera has rather than the actual quality of the picture or quality of macro mode.

I would assume any digital SLR or near SLR type camera would have a good macro mode. Check out DPreview.com for reviews going back many years….

I have a Nikon fine pix …Bought at Walmat under 120.00 has nice macro . Uses a secure data card ( seperately) . I have some photos I can send
Ming ( at) NYCAP ( dot) RR(dot) com

Check out the last three pictures in the gallery linked below. These are showing a 15mm FoW truck shot with a cheap digital point-and-shoot camera.

They also show the setup using articulated arm desk lamps and the light box.

Figure photography, especially for the web or emails, need not be expensive.

$70 USD for the light tent (not really required, but it's nice).
$20 USD for the lamps ($10 each)
<$100 Camera (on sale, new--but much cheaper on ebay)
$15 USD for bright flourescent bulbs

Oh, and if you didn't get the link to the gallery, it's: link

The problem with low end digital cameras is the macro function is that it tried to simulate what a proper macro lens does, but with a regular digital camera lens. It doesn't work that well.

I recommend buying a proper DSLR camera and a macro lens for it. A macro lens is about $50. USD DSLR cameras are all over the place. I purchased mine for $800 USD – a Canon Rebel. However, being in HK, you should have access to better and cheaper options than me.

Steve
Cavalcade Wargames
cavalcadewargames.com

I second the recommendation for Nikon FinePix. There are various models around and seem to be getting cheaper as time goes by.

Thanks guys!
Not sure where it gets me but its worth having the input anyway

You will be fine with a compact camera …. macro is one of the things they do best.

Do not be driven by price alone, as the following may be important to you (1) accurate colour (2) some manual control over white balance if you are shooting under certain artificial lights (3) stabilised optics to get sharp shots (4) good high ISO ability so that you can shoot without flash (5) adjustable strength of flash – though macro mode very often powers a flash down.

The panasonics are good all rounders and their auto modes tend to give good results.