SG - most of the digi cams now are at least 3MP for a regular price range of a couple hundred. But if you're going to do close-ups and small items, make sure it has an OPTICAL zoom not just a digital zoom.
Here is a list of digi cams 4-6 MP with a 7-10x optical zoom
Should be a good place to start.
As for me I have a Canon PowerShot Pro 1 with 8 MP and crazy options, ($800 price tag)but it was a gift so Im OK with that.
J-
