Macro or just use Manual Focus???

[davygee]

I'm new to the photography scene and hence don't know the difference....

Is Macro mode on my camera, the same as using the Manual Focus mode and focusing on the closest object to the camera.

If this is not the case...then what is Macro mode used for?

Hope someone can help me out here.

Cheers in advance.

[Klaus DK]

Macro is a way for the lens to get really close to the object. You can use either manual focus or auto-focus as you please...on most digicams.

You can't just zoom in and then compare it to macro. Macro often makes the glass inside thelens turn different to get close to the object. Macro is mostly limited to a near distance under about 2 inches (half a meter). With zoom you can be at a very long distance to the object.