Best digital camera for detailed close-up work?

I want to be able to take really detailed, close-up pictures of small items e.g. small diamonds, jewellery hallmarks,. Do I simply need a good camera with a large optical zoom (e.g. Samsung Pro 815) or is there something else I need to make sure the camera has?

Close up quality picture is determined by the quality of the Macro Mode, not by the optical zoom.

You can have a look at sample taken by a dozen of very recent compact digital cameras on the first link below. And it looks like the Panasonic W10 is a winner.

With the second link, you can choose any two digital cameras and compare actual photos taken in macro mode with those cameras (select "vue rapprochee (macro)" in the center drop down menu).

Both links are in French, but the pictures do the talking.

I don't know what camera you should get, I know which one you shouldn't get... Kodak Easyshare c340. It takes horrible close-ups.

~~kodak easy share dx 6340 very clear pics close up~~

Eye

i think you should go for a sony cybershot i have got one and the clarity is just amazing...

I have got a casio elixim which has zoom and loads of different programs for photographing different things e.g text, people, screens pets etc.... also has video, not sure if its what ur looking for but is a v good camera

I have a nikon coolpix 5700 and it has a really good macro mode and takes amazing close-ups.

I'd suggest a digital SLR system, this way you can change lenses to suit your needs.

Optical zoom does not matter for this. If you want to do close ups, look to see if it has a macro mode. If you plan on using it to do Ebay or something, try going for a higher megapixels

hi my dear friend
i love pictures that took from near,(close up, or macro)
you should buy a sony 818,or new model of sony that take 10.2 mega pixel photo,i dont know what is this name,
i have 6 brand of camera,but sony is best i think.
Afshin from iran

you need to be sure that you can add filters in case it does not get the quality/enlargement you are looking for. You can add extra magnifying filters that will get you closer. You need to be sure that you can view the image in real time to make sure that you have framed the shot correctly. A focal length preview feature will make sure that the depth of field is adequate. A remote shutter release will help with the shakes. You will need to make sure that the camera works in manual mode as most macro work does not lend itself to pre-programmed modes.

You need a Heavy Sturdy Tripod and Macro adjustment head (Velbon)

You need a lot of pure white light for macro work. So invest in a strobe light box or Professional lighted product table. You can find them on eBay fairly cheap. Avoid the cheap tables there as they are not sunlight equivalent (5500K), you must have sunlight equivalent for jewelry photography.

To get the depth of field in macro you need to shut down the aperture. The higher the aperture the greater the depth of field. I have seen pictures of rings with the table of the stone in focus and the ring completely out of focus. The higher the aperture number the less light get to the camera sensor, thus the greater the amount of light needed on the subject.

well ask about a wide angle filter ( like a lense cap but it widens the field of view , inportant for closups ! )

i use the konica dimage 6 it works real well !

ps not only can you get a special one but for standards use one of the lens ( wide angle )

send me a picture if its real nice too ! ( diamonds ! lol )

Sony DSC-N1 has a macro, huge display and takes 8.1 Megapixel pictures. Lot's of money, but from the sound of it, that won't bother you. Migt as well pick up the 2GB memorystick while your out.