Is there a small frame camera out there that shoots fabulous closeups?

I just tried out my new GPS f

I just tried out my new GPS field camera, to be used primarily for collecting GPS coordinates, date, and time of specimens I collect in Ecuador. All I need is an image I can recognize and file with my "studio" shots of each specimen. A secondary use is collecting images of micro and macro-habitats: fungi, host plants, etc. where detailed super-macro images are not vital.

The features I was looking for in a field camera:
small size
light weight
GPS-capable
super-macro capable
waterproof (for rain forest environment)
rugged, shock-proof

All these features and more were incorporated in the Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS Kit Digital Camera, on Amazon for $249.95. It also has five LED lights on the lens ring face for super-macro focusing but the shutter speed is very slow when the lens is practically up against the subject, not good for fine detail. I need to rig some extra lighting or see if there is a hack so the flash will fire on super-macro, enabling me to fashion a flash diffuser for super-macro shots. The alternative is to leave enough distance between lens and subject to allow good natural lighting such as in the above shot, not reliable in the jungle and certainly not for nocturnal collecting.

The Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS Kit Digital Camera focuses at 1cm on super-macro, has 5x digital zoom (although much less on super-macro), and has 14 megapixels, and also claims to be cold-proof, crush-proof, and dust-proof. The manual weighs more than the camera, which registers about 4.25 oz on my scale w/o battery, carabiner strap, and memory card. When the GPS function is on it updates location regularly even when the camera is turned off. This draws down the battery but saves time getting a GPS fix when you turn the camera on. I plan on taking freshly charged backup batteries each time I hit the trail. The GPS function also has a synchronize function that will allow me to mesh elevation data from my Garmin field GPS unit.

Nov. 30 was a reasonably warm day in the 60's I'd guess, and this approximately 3mm gnat landed on my hand just as I was looking for a trial subject in the front yard. I took this shot before the GPS got a satellite fix so no coordinates :-[ I zoomed as much as possible in super-macro mode but had to hold the camera back to allow the sunlight to hit the subject. The distance plus some zoom-enhanced motion blur meant less detail than I'd like.

BTW, for serious macro images I have ordered Canon lenses and extension tubes but have yet to settle on a Canon digital SLR body.

… Jim McClarin, 1 December, 2011 - 9:10am

thank you for your input...

With the Canon powershots that you describe does the entire image in the frame have to be at the same level for focusing to occur or are you over-riding to manual focus? With the camera I have at present (a Nikon)there seem to be points in the top of the frame that need to be at the same level as part of the insect or the focus is lost, hence I loose shots of insects on small flowers....

… Ilze V-G., 22 September, 2011 - 2:51pm

Spot focus

I use a Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS with the autofocus frame size set at Small and the metering mode set at Spot, so that the focus and the exposure will be adjusted to the bug at the center of the photo. This camera is pocket size and not expensive as cameras go, about $200. In macro mode, it can focus as close as 3 cm (1.2 in.), according to the manual.

Although this Canon doesn't have the problem you describe with your Nikon, focusing isn't necessarily easy. Success means getting a sharp bug against a blurred background, as here:

. Too often, the camera gives me a sharp background and a blurred bug, especially if the bug is very small.

… R. Berg, 22 September, 2011 - 9:37pm

point & shoot camera

It's difficult if not impossible to have everything in focus when shooting closeups. With point-and-shoot cameras, the focusing is done by the camera and there is no manual focus as such. The 'flatter' the subject the more of the picture will be in focus, but if there is much depth, then parts will be out of focus. (This is the depth of field issue.) You need to center on the main point then press the shutter button half-way to achieve focus then all the way to get the shot. I take a lot of shots then dump those that aren't in focus.

I think your best bet would be to go to a good camera store and discuss what you want to do with someone who can help you choose the best camera for you. Decide how much you want to spend and what your main interests are, then go from there.

… Barry Cottam, 22 September, 2011 - 5:01pm

point & shoot camera

You might also want to look at the Canon PowerShot SX220. It doesn't take RAW, but is 12 megapixels and can get you within 2 inches. The review can be turned off so that you can just continue shooting without being interrupted. They're about 230.00, plus whatever else you might want, such as an extra battery. Also has 14x zoom, which is nice.

… Barry Cottam, 1 August, 2011 - 2:46pm

compact camera

One of the cameras I use for macro shots is the Canon PowerShot G12.

It's a small camera, rather expensive, but the photos are great. This camera also has the capability of taking RAW images.

… Ilona L., 26 July, 2011 - 11:52am

How about one of the micro 4/

How about one of the micro 4/3 interchangeable lens cameras from Olympus or Panasonic paired with the Panasonic 45mm macro? I do not use this camera system, but it looks quite interesting. Some of the cameras using this mount have small bodies not much larger than a point and shoot and I believe the macro lens has image stabilization as well.

… Tim Lethbridge, 26 June, 2011 - 8:48pm