Honestly, I think it has more to do with technique than the camera! I am using a FujiFilm FinePix S5000 and my pictures were awful until I started playing around. Not so much with camera settings (I use auto focus, macro mode on everything), but with camera placement & stability. I take all my shots with the lens flat against the AQ glass, or as close as possible, and use various macro lenses to get the best zoom & focus combination. Also, a tripod is an absolute must to stabilize the camera. I tilt the tripod forward on two legs and rest the camera lens against the glass - nice and stable!

AQ lighting just isn't a good subject for the software built into these cameras. I have never gotten the post-processing "White Balance" technique to work very well, but I do use PhotoShop to Crop, "Auto Color balance" and to enhance sharpness.

The newer FinePix (S5100 or S5200) are available on Amazon for $300-$400 Here

I am Using These Macro lenses

My Gallery has some of my better PhotoShopped macro shots. These represent the best of a session in which I took over 600 shots :o

Oh yea, lots of patience is required too!

Also, here is a site with lots of good "How To" Info!

Good Luck!