Seeking camera reccomendations

Any mid-range digital camera will do this using their standard macro setting, so long as you choose a model with minimum shutter lag (you ant to take the photo when you press the button, not several moments later!) However the choice of camera should be based on what you want to do with your images: if you just want to see them on a screen or print postcard size prints, anything with more than 6 megapixels will do, and 8 megapixels will give more scope if you need to crop part of the image. If want quality prints up to A4, 10x8 or even A3 or similar size with fine detail, then choose something with 10 megapixels or better and image stabilization (at macro magnification, tiny amounts of camera shake get magnified too, and enlarging the print makes matters worse). If you intend the images for museum quality reproduction, or to be seen and use by people with real expertise in etymology, like an enthusiast collector, a naturalist or a conservator, then real detail has to be preserved and you will need a high quality lens and a low-noise sensor. An SLR with a macro lens would be ideal (even the most basic DSLR will perform extremely well with, say, a fast 50mm, 90mm or 120mm macro lens. But "prosumer", "bridge" or enthusiast compacts, with their ability to allow manual focus and shutter/aperture control when needed, will also give outstanding result for about half to 2/3 the cost of an SLR. If you go the compact route, I would seriously suggest one of the FZ series Panasonic Lumix cameras; their Leica lenses and layout are ideal for this area of photography. G series Canon cameras are a very good choice, and the Canon Powershot SX cameras would be a top choice, too. I am not suggesting that no other cameras would suit, but my experience with a wide range of brands and models places these cameras at the top of the list as viable alternatives to SLRs for macro, Do not rely on image stabilization, valuable though it is. Get a steady tripod! Nothing adds quality to macro like a solid 'pod.

I you wan't a digital SLR then it's depending on the lense, if you wan't to take close up pictures of small insects you should get a macro-lens.(http://www.tinyurl.com/amazonmacrolenses)here is a wide selection of them.