That depends on your budget,
I have a modest Kodak 3.1 megapixel that has digital zoom also & close-up to about 5" to subject & zoom to 2ft from subject, but wish I had got one with macro lens adaptor also for insects etc.
I'm only an amateur though, someone else will have a better opinion,
Cheers, Yvonne F

Depends on how much you want to spend. I have an EOS 300D Canon and a Tamron Macro lens & I'm thinking about a zoom lens will cost more than my camera did. A friend has a Panasonic Lumex which is a very good all-rounder...here's a link to more information about the camera. I hope the link works for you...there are every other brand available on this link so have a good browse.

Here is a link that might be useful: Panasonic lumix

I have a Kyocera Finecam and I am reallyl enjoying it. It is 4MPixel and has 10x optical zoom and a reasonable macro facility. It had a reasonable menu for adjusting many aspects of exposure etc. I am glad I bought it.
Cheers
Judy

Hi
I have a Sony Cybershot 5.4 mp and 3x zoom. I got it at a model run out price of $399 down from about $650.
I am a complete novice I know nothing about the technical stuff- although I did read about them in Choice magazine-(learning fast) and find the extra pixels to enhance the quality of the picture: especially when you crop a pic and then enlarge it. The quality is fantastic of the enlarged part.
I would recommend this camera but I am no expert. I was told that the camera will see me thru from novice to well experienced without having to upgrade.It has enough megapixels and functions to advance into serious photography.
Be that as it may, I find it a breeze to use, get wonderful pics and with a good software program to enhance/crop etc you can achieve fantastic results.
Good Luck!
cheers
Michelle

I am a Canon Fan I have had three Canon Cameras in the past 20 years and a Pentex, two have been 35mm.
The last two are digital I started off with a Canon A70 3.2mp ( Out of date now ) A great little camera it does everything you could possibly want, takes short movies, has a optical zoom, dont worry about a digital zoom (mine is switched off) takes good pics in nite time mode, the macro not bad but it wont take a pic of bees wings flapping for that you need something better.

So now I have a Canon 20D with a couple of Lenses as I have always wanted to get a better camera, but like Yvonne said up top it all depends on how much money you have got or want to spend. Canon cameras start at $229 and go to $13.999 so there is plenty there to suit everybody, and as Canon make more cameras than any other company in the world that should speak for itself.

I have seen lots of good pics on the forum but one camera that stood out was the Panasonic Lumix it took good close up and macro with its zoom. What you should do is research I spent six months researching before I bought my first digital camera narrowing it down to three then I looked up all the reviews to see what people that owned them had to say, believe me that helped a lot, no good listening to salesmen at department stores if you want info go and ask at a camera store.

Dont forget to budget for the rechargable batteries and charger and a bigger Media card as the ones that come with the cameras are not big enough.. Hope this helps....Cheers..MM.

Our new digital camera is a Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ1GN.
I love it-it is like christmas every day.
It takes pics like this......
{{gwi:2115400}}
and this............
{{gwi:2115401}}
Most big stores quoted $399 but we got it at a small store for $339 Plus you need a memory card-around $80 for 512 megs.Also rechargeable batteries and a charger around $50 from kmart.Don't try to use ordinary batteries-I tried eveready heavy duty and got TWO shots LOL!
You can preview your shots on the camera's 2 inch screen and also plug it into your tv-I LOVE that part.
Happy hunting for your camera.
regards
sandie

wow, those pics are amazing!

I just got asked by SIL what I wanted for Christmas (she's going in with a couple of other rellies)...digital camera is top of the list!

As you can see from my pics, I use Minolta cameras. I have two, Dimage A1 and Dynax 7D. First one is prosumer camera, and the second is digital SLR. I like them both, both have antishake (great for low light and macro photography) but I prefer Dimage A1 just because it's smaller than DSLR. Using A1 I've won a bronze medal on KonicaMinolta sponsored international photo competition.
You can see some samples in my public online gallery (see link below).

Here is a link that might be useful: Photos by crazy Tom (aka Minoltamaniac)

I got two great pieces of advice when buying mine - I hope it's useful for you too.

1. Digital cameras are a marriage of two techonologies: cameras and computers. Generally speaking, it is a safer bet to pick a camera brand - eg Olympus - rather than a computer brand that has started making cameras - eg Hewlard Packard. That's because the most important component is the lens, and experienced camera companies will do this better. Like all rules of thumb, there are probably exceptions, but it's a good place to start looking.

2. Don't be taken in by "digital zoom" - it is just what you do on your PC later, basically cropping. Optical zoom is the one that matters.

to all you camera buffs, those photos are tops
My humble cameras are a yashica FX103 which I bought in 1986 Still learning about it, the new one is a digital cannon power shot 2. This digital is 12 x optic a magic happy snaps camera. There are so many features on it I will never get to know all about it or use any where near half of them. The only thing I find that is a slight problem is the close up range is no where wide enough it's 3.6 lenz or there abouts I am considering buying a lense to give it a 2.8 view There is a extra zoom one can buy that will take the zoom up to about 20x optic. This cannon powershot 2 is very easy to use and small and light .
I have not tried taking pic's of bees yet but the zoom is ideal for getting close up shots of wild life from a good distance . The macro is good also but I have not used it that much as I am so bussy taking other photos , many using the long range zoom to get close-ups. I have had the camera since August and I have taken just over 7,000 photos from Brisbane to Cairns west to Biloela, Emerald. Charters Towers, Atherton tableland
I just can't stop taking photos, nearly every day ..then down load them onto DVD and play back on the 107 mm tv .

Well I have said enough here I have got 22 rose bushes they have been photographed many times

Garden_worm ..........Rockhampton

Hi Tom, I saw your picture featured on the Popular Gallery - good stuff!

All really wonderful and helpful replies,have some time to think it over the range is good many thanks to you all,kindest regards greencroc.

Lovely photos Sandie and Tom.
Have to back up what Sandie says about the batteries. If you don't get rechargable you need to get the lithium batteries which are fairly expensive so you may as well pay the money and get the rechargable outfit. Mine has a car adaptor so I can recharge when I am out camping.
Cheers
Judy

Hi Judy,yes a battery charger a must,have one for my car so one for the camera will be on the list,Panasonic LunixDMC lines look favourable,still getting ideas from my son,he,s a computer expert,that will help too,cheers,greencroc.

We bought a panasonic Lumix (just under $400) about three months ago.While I'm definately no expert on this subject, I can at least say that I have personally found it a pleasure to use while also admitting that it has more features on it than I will ever know how to use.Maybe when things slow down in Winter I'll learn more about it.
The advantages of digital cameras are just so great that I can't believe we didn't invest in one earlier.We take a hundred times more photos now than we ever did before.
With the camera we also bought a Varta,15 minute charger, which we are also very pleased with.Happy camera hunting Greencroc.
Thrip

I have an Olympus C-765 Ultra Zoom with 4 megapixels and 10X optical zoom , 40X seamless zoom.
It has so many things on it that I will never get round to understanding or using.
and even though it has a zoom thing in front it is still small enough to have in a large handbag for travelling.
The zoom is good for sneaking up on birds but I haven't worked out the macro zoom yet, One day I will get a bees wings, hopefully.
Marion

Hi Marion, here's one pair of bee's wings for you ..
- Tom

{{gwi:2115402}}

Tom, that is really beautiful, makes me want to take the time and work out the macro on the camera.
Thanks, Marion

Hi Thrip,things are shaping up,it definately looks like the camera I,m after and I,m pretty sure it has a great optical zoom that Marion talks about 10x.Lumix what kind,had my eye on two or three,love the macro mode,5cm the closeness the minimum on the cameras I looked at,many thanks,greencroc.

Just has Panasonic DMC-LZ1 written on it Greencroc.Has 6x optical zoom, 3x dig. zoom and 4.0 mega pixels.It also can work as a movie camera but I haven't a clue how.Anne does,I think.Apparently won't do audio though.Also the varta 15 min. charger works off the cig lighter in the car too. I'll try to put a photo on this thread but will need to have Anne do it(I'm useless).I am not able to take close ups like the cicada of Sandies yet but I will have to learn sooner or later.Good luck Greencroc
Thrip

When it comes to choose a perfect camera, there are zillions things to consider. But one of the most important is: which kind of photography you really like.

Every good digital camera today can handle average shooting conditions with almost no problems, but when it comes to delicate and difficult conditions, your personal preference chooses the right shooter.

For me, it's delicate, low light photography, macro photography and portraits. To find a camera which handles all those situations with no problems was difficult, but I was lucky -- absolutely first camera with body-integrated antishake (optical sensor stabiliser) was introduced by Konica Minolta just few months before I've decided to buy my first digicam.

Antishake solved two big problems:

1. Photography in low light, where I'm now allowed to have 8 times longer exposures than with some other digital camera (hey, 8 times longer exposure is a BIG number! it makes impossible shots now possible!). I'm able to take shots with 1/13 sec exposure and they're perfectly focused. For a normal camera, it's hard to get a perfect focus even with 1/60 sec. This is a big plus for antishake.

2. Macro photography -- new camera helped me neutralise hand shake and thus made macros always perfect. You all know how macro photography is actually difficult -- you do have to have a mini tripod, lots of patience, great light source and so many impossible things around you.

But with this camera it doesn't matter any more to me how I breathe and how I hold the camera .. and I don't need a tripod, because hand-held macro shots are almost always perfect. Also, for just few bucks, you can buy on the eBay some macro filters. They're great, because that's an inexpensive way to transform your already great macro performing camera into a formidable macro beast -- when you attach them to your lenses, macro filters reduce camera's focusing distance by factor of 2, 3 or 4 (for example) so now you're able to focus on bee's wings just 10 cm away or even closer!

To do the same thing with some DSLR camera you have to spend at least $1500-2000 (camera body plus good macro lenses plus good macro flash).

So, at the end of my story, I advise you: first be sure what you want to do with your camera and then try to find out what's the best solution for you. Never listen to the salesmen -- they will sell anything, just to get rid of the stock behind the counter. Investigate first, browse through all camera brands and check how much you can spend. How much you get for the money? What are the unique cool capabilities of your camera? Is it easy to use? Is it well made (i.e. is it made of plastic or some metal alloy)? How much freedom and versatility it gives you in your photography, what picture file formats it supports (for example, does it support RAW?), can you attach external flashgun onto it, which shooting modes it supports (for example, is it fully "automatic" and full of predefined program...

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ1 is so damned easy to use.
I have never been good at taking pics but this one makes me look good.:)
It does have the anti shake feature-it is one of the many options you can choose for each mode.
All the different 'modes' are on a simple dial-I use macro mode for most of the stuff I shoot-including roses,bees and assorted bugs.
Once you select your mode it is point and shoot-it really is that easy to use-no tripod needed.
One thing I have adjusted is the 'white balance'I moved it into the blue end as on the neutral setting the reds flare.
The pic size is HUGE-the bee is full size but cropped-it makes about 10% of the original pic size.
This Dragonfly pic....
{{gwi:2115403}}
Has been reduced in size to around a third of original size-loses something in the translation but I couldn't post it full size.I even had to reduce it substantially to fit my computer screen for wallpaper.
I am so RAPT in this camera-it enables a complete novice like me to pretend that I am a GREAT photographer. :)
The User manual is great and easy to understand too.
Explains all modes and features and how to adjust everything to suit your needs.
LOVE IT!!!!!
regards
sandie

THanks Sandie,you may have saved me some money here ,I was going for the 2 but the 1 has what I want also and doesn,t need a tripod with the stabilizer in it that is a lovely shot of the Dragonfly so clear many thanks Sandie all the best Greencroc.

Wow and Wow again, that is so clear, Sandie, and it sounds as though it is so easy to do with your camera.
I wasn't told about antishake and all the other technical stuff about cameras when I bought mine, wish I had as I get some shakky pictures with mine, have to stand holding my breath for quite a while sometimes.
Marion

One of the main differences between Tom and Sandie's pictures is the background. Notice that Toms background doesn't detract from the object whereas in Sandies its fighting to be noticed? Did any of you check that link I gave you? Every camera ever produced is accessible on that link.

Von.

LOL! Yvonne-I guess that is the difference between cameras that start at around $1,500 and a $350 Panasonic Lumix!
regards
sandie

Yvonne,
that's difference you see is caused by my manipulation of a camera in Aperture Priority mode. Picture was taken with Minolta A1, which you can buy now for AUD $500-700. When shooting in Aperture Priority, and I want blurry background, I select widest possible aperture for the shot (f/2.8), and that gives me that beautiful blurry background (out of focus area). Wider the aperture, less background is in focus.
All the same, if I want more of the background in focus (for landscape photography, for example), I'll rather select smaller aperture (f/11 or f/22) so almost whole scene, both foreground and background, will be in perfect focus.
I believe Sandie can do the same. I suppose Panasonic Lumix supports Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Full Manual modes. In any case, I strongly recommend anyone to get a camera that has all those shooting modes.
-Tom

None of them are worth JS if they are not colour accurate. Number 1 priority if you want to photograph plants is COLOUR accurate cameras. Everything else will be a bonus. Also go for a camera that has Adobe colour option, its the trick to getting nice reds.

I have finished up getting a good bargain on a Panasonic Lumix DMC/LZ1$369.00,Varta 15min charger,512mem/card,bag and couldn,t be more happier,it has everything in it I need that the LZ2 has and is so easy to follow(instructions).Normally the cameras are 429 dollars so can,t complain.The input and info has been great, thanks all,greencroc.

Hi Greencroc. So pleased to hear that you have finally got your camera.
Have heaps of fun clicking away at all your roses...Cheers..MM.

Something like this Tom?

Here is a link that might be useful: Black Beauty rose

Way to go Greencroc-mess with it-you can delete experiments that don't work.
I am having so much fun cruising the yard in search of roses and tiny garden critters-i think the critters are winning me over.:)
If you have half as much fun as I do-you will be very happy.
best regards
sandie

Yvonne,
I was enjoying your online gallery so much and I find myself absolutely amazed .. You live and you create with your work a paradise on Earth, that's sure. I don't know where to look at first, left or right, which colour or flower shape to find as my favourite; all those roses you like and take care of are a joyous bewilderment to my eyes.
Thank you so much for sharing that with us. It's so ... so ... I'd like to utter even more words of praise, but I believe people will think that I'm crazy, or something similar :-) Sorry!
- Tom

Thanks MM and Sandie as a matter of fact everyone,it,s been a fun time sorting the camera out,have started taking close ups,read them back,deleted some kept the best they were all good clips of one rose,but it,s a learning exercise too and it is so easy to follow,many thanks greencroc.

I'm glad you enjoy browsing through Tom, I enjoy it all very much.

So glad you've got your new camera Greencroc - they are time-wasters as you'll soon discover! I look forward to seeing some of your photos in the near future!

Von.