I've been looking around for a good digital cam which would allow me to get close up shots that show a good amount of detail. I don't know much about this area.. so my question is: if the specs say that the camera has 4X digital zoom, is that good enough or does it have to be much higher??

Ciao Hisham,
NO, NO, NO! Please don't go with the digital zoom. You will be wasting your money. Someone (I can't remember who) did a great post on digital cameras (he used to sell them) and his information was wonderful. I will try and find it right now for you.
Ciao for now
Rob

www.dpreview.com

Go around and visit this site. Has tons of information about digital cameras

Ciao Hisham,
Use this link, https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/11911&page=1 Go down to "Grasshopp12" Jeff Milos and you can read all you want. It was very inciteful and I learned alot. I can tell you that I bought a Canon Powershot A75 and love it!!
Hope this helps
Ciao for now
Rob

Thanks guys. You saved me a lot of money. I remember when I was looking around, seeing cameras that said 3 Megapixels and 3X optical zoom. Would that give me a descent amount of detail. Cause if I start going higher than that I'll spend a whole lot more. Things are very expensive here cause of the rate of exchange and customs and all that. But the ones with 3 Mpixels and 3X optical are on the reasonable side!!! Thanks again