The camera I mentioned takes video as well. A lot of video too. I take videos of my daughter all the time, and upload them onto private youtube for her great grandma to see. It has a ton of settings on this dial you turn. http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/W170/W170A.HTM# That link should show the photo of the back view of the camera where the dial is. My camera is red. They have an option for automatic shooting where you dont play with any settings besides zoom/flash. Then they have a setting one one up where you can change a few more settings. Then a more advanced setting where a lot of settings can be changed. The link says its $300, but it isnt. I bought mine through Wal Mart on sale in Feb. I dont see them there anymore though. You can buy them online though. The camera has a child or adult face detection mode, smile shutter (neat where it will automatically take photos everytime someone smiles). The smile shutter can also be adjusted for the level of smile needed to snap the shot. It also has Backlight, Backlight Portrait, Twilight, Twilight Portrait, and Twilight using a Tripod. Those are more of the settings on the camera. Either the twilight or the backlight option can make a photo taken in pure darkness, light like taken in the day. Standard Scene modes include Beach, High Sensitivity, Landscape, Snow, Soft Snap, Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Fireworks, Smile Shutter, and Underwater. The Sony W170 Menu system gives you access to Twilight, Beach, Snow, Fireworks, and Underwater. The others are on the Mode dial. I laughed so hard using the creative effects to photos after you shoot using any of 10 editing functions, including: Trimming, Red-Eye adjustment, Soft Focus filter, Unsharp Mask, Cross filter, Partial Color filter, Fish-eye filter, Retro, Radial Blur and Happy Face (really funny). The Happy Face effect uses photo retouching to put a smile on faces, with smile levels adjustable from 1 to 5. Danielle

It's hard to find good reviews on point and shoot cameras for macro because the camera experts prefer DSLR and when the compacts ARE tested, I think it's usually with a tripod and perfect lighting indoors with no wind and not on taking close ups of butterflies that are moving around on a flower that's blowing in the wind. lol I have a Sony that I love but have had it for 5 years so it's likely outdated compared to what's available now. I got lucky when I was shopping for that one. There happened to be a lady working at Best Buy that was knowledgeable about taking Macro shots and she helped me pick one out. My daughter used my Sony for taking pictures in the rain a few weeks ago and it's been acting weird now. The mode changes on its own. Most of the time it works ok but I've been shopping around. Here's a review I came across that looks pretty helpful. I think I will see what Consumer Reports says about the cameras he suggests and see what they cost. This is from July so hopefully these models are still available. I've been looking at the reviews on Best Buy's site too. I often check Consumer Reports when making a big purchase. Our libray provides that for free. I looked at a couple recent articles and they had tested a lot of cameras but I don't think they looked at which ones have the best quality macro shots unless it's referred to by other wording that I didn't get. Here is a link that might be useful: Top 6 cameras for macro photography

I got one for Christmas about 4 years ago, and in fact I do believe I posted a few pics form it here-er, had HELP from SOMEONE ELSE in posting pics here. I'll never learn how. Anyway, there are all kinds of options to consider, and I'd do a little research before you buy. I got mine from Cabela's and had fairly decent luck with it. It all depends on your ability to scout a likely traffic area, get it set up and rigged correctly, and not screwing up the film, if you get one that relies on standard film. Oh and most importantly...if you get the infra-red sensor, follow the directions about avoiding the sun. I got a most wonderful roll of film back....24 exposures of a sunrise, taken at 4 pics every 15 seconds. As long as there is heat or motion, the thing will continue to go off for whatever intervals you program.

Thanks! I wanted the blue one, but Wal-Mart ($90 - $25 gift card = $65 out of pocket!!) was out! Phooie. I ordered the silver. I have started using the batteries for digital devices in my Kodak at work and they really are worth the extra money! I had regular rechargeable ones and I could only take 10-20 pictures before they were dead. I used 2 of the digital ones for about 5 months (200+ pics)! I was very surprised as I figured they were just a 'marketing scheme' to get people to buy more batteries. I don't want to have to worry about running out of battery life on vacation. With the AA size, I can pick them up anywhere! Deanna