they dont have the MSN deal there, they just have MSN passport, doesnt mean they are with the deal. Also , the macro focus range is 4 to 26" so it will not focus right inside of 4" because its not in the focus range. THe battery is $50 at amazon, but i dont feel the need to get that yet since i dont use the LCD that much. Also i doubt there is a 3 megapixel version in japan, as it would be all over the camera review sites, the s100 came out only 2 weeks earlier in japan as it did in america (ixy digital) , so there really isnt a long lag time between japan and here. I'd estimate that a 3 megapixel will be out around end of next summer, based on the roadmaps i've seen for a 3 megapixel CCD with the right size for this camera body (the really small .37" size) and that can be focused on by this camera's lens optics