This is another one of those super zoom cameras such as the Canon Powershot SX10 IS, Nikon Coolpix P90, Sony Cyber-shot DSC HX1, and others. You are seeing all that telephoto (binoculars) and thinking "Oh, it must be good at macro", (microscope). Unfortunately you are mistaken. These cameras were built for kids soccer games, air shows, and other situations for taking pictures of objects FAR AWAY from you. These cameras are not built for taking pictures of objects 6 inches away. I would not recommend this camera for taking images of a fish tank unless Shamu lives inside it.
One thing it does have which surprised me is RAW. Most other brands neglect this. At least your colors will look correct...but the fundamentals stand. This camera and the others listed are like a pair of binoculars. Binoculars and microscopes are made for two very different purposes but so many people don't understand this.
Now you can take a snapshot of anything with any camera equipment. Depending the level of quality you want, this camera may do just fine for your needs. Based on the way you worded your origional post however, I think you are looking to take images similar to what you see throughout Reef Central. You can take a quality photograph of a specific subject with the right camera equipment for the job. Point and shoots cant change lenses, so they have to do as many jobs as possible with what they are made with. What you get is a jack of all trades and master of none. So they make point and shoots specialize. This way they are better in certain areas but have to make sacrifices to others. Macro specifically took a hit with the camera in question. They geared it for kids kicking a soccer ball 50 yards away and had to take away from a coral colony 5 inches away to compensate. The camera has a 1in focus range, so it is possible to take a "close up" (I didn't say "macro") image with this camera. It won't be a very good image compared to other cameras though. In order to take full advantage of this camera's macro (which even this is still at a disadvantage), you must be 1cm away from your coral. Come on...your glass isn't even that thick! Like I said...even if you do manage to get the camera 1cm away from the coral, it STILL won't be "true macro".
So many people use DSLRs for macro (not to mention news organizations, Sports Illustrated, wedding photographers, or any other professional company) because...if money is no object, the DSLR truly can become a master of all trades. The photographer buys the specific equipment which will allow him to master the disciplines he is interested in. You can go with portraits...birds...indoor sports...and among other things...macro. Each area can be mastered with the proper equipment, and with a DSLR you buy the equipment specific to your task (macro).
Of course you could pay the execs big bonuses but that is up to you.
