I'm with Viper on this you have to actually hold the camera and make sure you like it before you buy. 

I have attached a 100% crop from the canon so you can compare with above - click on it to see full size image. Keep in mind also this has not had any postwork done to it - and it is saved at 55% quality because it from a 4mp original and I had to get it down to 200K for here. 

If close up photography is going to be the main use having a large zoom lens won't help you in fact it will mean lower the quality.

And every one said, 'If we only live,
We too will go to sea in a Sieve,---
To the hills of the Chankly Bore!'
Far and few, far and few, Are the lands where the Jumblies live;
Their heads are green, and their hands are blue, And they went to sea in a Sieve.

Edward Lear
http://www.nonsenselit.org/Lear/ns/jumblies.html