Ultracompact with good macro

I'm looking for a compact or ultracompact with good macro -- hopefully not too expensive. Any suggestions?

I'm no longer into the lower-end 'cheaper' compact P&S type as I have used a few really good ones but most are fairly general in what they will do as real close-up true Macro mode... but I bought the Olympus XZ-1 some 12 months or so ago now and that one really is very excellent in Macro if you need it. It has the usual 'Macro mode' which is pretty well as many others for Macro shooting..."close-up" is probably a better truer way of describing it - but it also has a Super Macro mode...and this is really excellent for proper close-up shots.... and the beauty of this Super-Macro mode is that you can leave it set as that and for many shots at what can be just normal reasonable distance it wil still work fine for taking the shot...

Best also now is that the XZ-1 has dropped from its peak higher price when it frst came out and nowadays you should be able to get one at a VERY good and reasonable price..and for what you pay now you get a LOT of excellent camera...

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eric
Staffordshire, UK

A related discussion here:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1054&thread=42105968

I looked through a German magazine (Stiftung Warentest) that covered a lot of cameras and turned up these that are listed as very good for close photos (nahaufnahmen)

Listed in order of how the magazine rated them for overall quality.

Canon IXUS 230 HS (american ELPH 310 HS)
Nikon S100
Canon A4000 IS
Olympus SH21
Nikon AW100
Pentax VS20

The first two were rated "good" for overall quality and the last four were ranked "satisfactory" for overall quality.

I hope that helps. Sorry I don't have any direct any experience with any of those cameras. Most of the cameras I have are "travel zooms" like Canon SX260 and those are rated as average for close photos. The ones listed above were rated very good for close photos.

Someone earlier said mentioned the XZ1 as being very good. I have one of those and agree with his statements. Great camera, very good price currently for what you get. But does not fit in your pocket so well (is not ultracompact like your title asked for). The ones listed above in general are small and fit in a pocket, and some cost less.

Just to clarify - the German magazine was evaluating the cameras for close-up pictures (nahaufnahmen). The German word for macro is "Makro" and that specific word was not in the magazine in regards to ultracompact cameras. But the cameras I listed were ones I would take a look at to see if they meet your needs.