[chasdev]

I should have made a note of this the last time it came up but no way MY camera would croak...
So, I only want to take close ups of serial numbers and WaA's, I am not going to the beach, mountains, or forest...any thoughts on a user friendly and cost friendly camera choice?

 

[limpetmine]

I

I have a AA battery powered Pentax Optio 4wr that is better at close ups' than my Nikon D-70. Admitted, I don't have a macro lens, and won't for the foreseeable future, so $150.00 vs. $1,500.00.
And I mean better, I can get within 2" of my subject with the Pentax, 18" with the Nikon.
And that does'nt count the zoom factor, either.
There you go.....

 

[solman]

mines a dinosaur. check out the pawn shop next time you do a sweep. my shop has got way newer ones than mine for 99 dollars

 

[ReinhardH]

Take a look at the Nikon, Canon, Sony, Pentax, etc websites, go to their point-n-shoot cameras, pick the models that have a built-in 'macro' feature, and then read the specs to find the ones with the shortest focusing distance (2" or less) at the macro setting. I don't think you could go wrong with any of these brands.
FWIW, B&H Photo is always my first stop when shopping for cameras and lenses.
Below are pics of the tiny WaA's on K98k rear sight bases, taken with my old Nikon Coolpix 3100 in the 'macro' mode...