Best Camera for Macro Photography: 11 Top Picks

Macro photography is a lot of fun, photographing the smallest subjects as close as possible so you can see details that the naked eye cannot see, but we all know that you do need a demanding macro camera.

With years of experience as a professional photographer, I have owned a lot of cameras. Therefore, I know exactly what to look for when buying the best macro camera.

In this article, I will tell you exactly what the best camera for macro photography is, and not only that, I will also show you the best price. This way you can photograph the smallest subjects as quickly as possible, without any problems.

Best macro cameras listed

  1. Canon R6 II | Mirrorless
  2. Sony RX100 VII | Compact
  3. Canon R50 | Beginner
  4. Panasonic FZ300 | Cheapest
  5. Canon R8 | Budget
  6. Fujifilm X-T5 | Video
  7. Canon R5 | Canon
  8. Nikon D850 | DSLR
  9. Sony A7 IV | Sony
  10. Nikon Z5 | Nikon
  11. Sony RX10 IV | Bridge

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. You can support me without any additional fees. I used some of the products mentioned, not all.

What is the best camera for macro photography?

Like many other types of photography, macro photography is truly a profession in itself. When I bought my first camera I had no idea what to look for, everyone on the internet said something different and then I quickly bought the wrong camera. With years of experience, now I know exactly what to look for.

My goal is for you to buy the best macro camera, which does not mean that you have to buy the most expensive or newest one. I don’t want you to buy a camera with unnecessary or missing functions.

I looked at important functions such as sensor and resolution, a 24 MP sensor is actually good enough, but functions such as focus striking and bracketing are also important. This is a list of aspects I paid attention to.

Everyone knows that you won’t get far with just a camera, that’s why I recommend a number of lenses for each camera, so you can find everything here.

Let’s get straight to the first camera!

Best mirrorless camera for macro photography

Canon R6 II

4.5/5

Sebas' take

A camera that has functions that help you as a macro photographer, is the Canon R6 II. With the focus stacking mode, the camera takes sharp macro photos.

The sensor is also of good quality, with vivid colors and a wide dynamic range, I was able to take some nice photos.

All in all, the Canon R6 II is the best mirrorless camera for macro photography.

On Amazon

On B&H Photo

On Adorama

Outstanding features

  • 24MP sensor
  • 4K60p video
  • 40 fps burst mode
  • Double memory card slots
  • Focus bracketing
  • Built-in stabilization

What I like/dislike about the Canon R6 II

Like
  • The focus stacking mode is very useful, I could set how many photos the camera took and how much space there is between them. You have a lot of control over the result.
  • Unlike the original R6, the R6 II has a good quality hotshoe, which will not easily break when you put a flash on it.
  • The colors look natural and vibrant, and the dynamic range is also better than the original R6.
  • The camera feels good in the hand, I have fairly large hands, and yet I don’t feel like it will slip out of my hands anytime soon.
Dislike
  • If you enable focus bracketing via the settings, the camera will not remember this when you turn the camera off/on. You have to go back to the settings all the time for this, I forget it often enough.
  • With the electronic shutter, you have less dynamic range, which I especially noticed in the shadows and the noise level in that area.

The best lenses for macro photography

I made a selection of the best macro photography lenses, especially for Canon cameras. With these lenses, you are guaranteed to take the most beautiful photos.

The very best lens for macro photography is the Canon RF 100mm, the quality of which is phenomenal. If your budget is a little less than that, the Canon RF 85mm is also fantastic. This one is a little less expensive, but that doesn’t make it any less capable. Finally, the Canon RF 35mm is also great, this is the cheapest macro lens on the list.

View all Canon RF lenses on B&H Photo, Amazon, or Adorama.

Want to know more? Read the review! Canon R6 II Review & Tests

Best compact camera for macro photography

Sony RX100 VII

4.5/5

Sebas' take

Next up, I would like to recommend a great and small camera. It’s the Sony RX100 VII, a popular compact camera and not without reason. It’s extremely small and fits in practically any pocket.

With a 20 MP sensor and 8x zoom, the image quality will be great. You can get close to subjects, with the minimal focus distance of 8cm.

All in all, I think the RX100 VII is the best compact camera for macro photography.

On Amazon

On B&H Photo

On Adorama

Outstanding features

  • 20 MP sensor
  • 8x optical zoom
  • 24-200mm lens
  • F2.8-4 aperture
  • 8cm focus distance

What I like/dislike about the Sony RX100 VII

Like
  • Let’s talk a little bit about the RX100 VII because it’s a different kind of camera than the others. It’s a small sensor but it produces great images with lots of color. The photos are sharp as you would expect.
  • Because it’s a small sensor, the depth of field is bigger. I think that’s a pro, as you don’t have to close the aperture a lot for great detail. On a full-frame camera, that’s a different story.
  • With the small size of the RX100 VII, you can practically take it anywhere and put it in your pocket. The lens gets smaller as you turn it off, and bigger as you turn it on.
  • The closest focus distance is 8cm (3.1″), which is quite short for a camera like this. You have a 200mm zoom range, so zoom in and you can get close to a subject, making it a perfect close-up camera.
Dislike
  • Because it’s a compact camera with a small sensor, the noise will be more apparent than other cameras on the list. If you crank up the ISO and make the aperture smaller, you will see more noise.

Best beginner camera for macro photography

Canon R50

4.5/5

Sebas' take

Let me introduce you to the Canon R50, a small Canon camera made for beginners. It has a 24 MP sensor, which is larger than the RX100 VII sensor. It captures great detail, especially if you mount the right lens to it.

Don’t worry about weight, it’s the smallest Canon RF camera on the market, and with a small lens, you can practically put it in any bag and take it with you.

All in all, the R50 is the best beginner camera for macro photography.

On Amazon

On B&H Photo

On Adorama

Outstanding features

  • 24MP APS-C sensor
  • 4K30p oversampled video
  • 15fps burst mode
  • Deep learning autofocus
  • Focus Bracketing/Stacking
  • Compact & lightweight

What I like/dislike about the Canon R50

Like
  • Alright, so it’s a beginner camera, but why is it? Well, that’s because of the user interface and ease of use. It has a UI that shows you what settings impact the image and how those settings work. It also has an AI auto mode, in which the camera takes the best settings for the situation.
  • It has professional features, such as focus stacking and deep learning autofocus. Usually, we only see these settings on more expensive cameras, but Canon decided to put them into a beginner macro camera.
  • With this size, you can easily carry it around, in fact, it fits into my camera bag with many other lenses and cameras, that says it all. If you want it to be compact, I don’t recommend buying an L lens, as those are big and heavy.
Dislike
  • I have one downside to the R50, which is the grip size. It’s too small for my hands and my pinky doesn’t hold the grip comfortably. I would like a bigger camera with a more professional feel, you can feel it is cheaper.

The best lenses for macro photography

I made a selection of the best macro photography lenses, especially for Canon cameras. With these lenses, you are guaranteed to take the most beautiful photos.

The very best lens for macro photography is the Canon RF 100mm, the quality of which is phenomenal. If your budget is a little less than that, the Canon RF 85mm is also fantastic. This one is a little less expensive, but that doesn’t make it any less capable. Finally, the Canon RF 35mm is also great, this is the cheapest macro lens on the list.

View all Canon RF lenses on B&H Photo, Amazon, or Adorama.

Want to know more? Read the review! – Canon EOS R50 Review, Tests & Comparisons

Best cheap camera for macro photography

Panasonic FZ300

4.5/5

Sebas' take

Panasonic has some great cameras, I mean, their full-frame line-up isn’t bad but expensive. Now, they also stand out in cheaper cameras, namely, the Panasonic FZ300. It’s a cheap macro camera with a lens.

It’s also small and I think there are many benefits to buying a camera like this over a mirrorless camera. The FZ300 stands out because of the focusing distance of 1cm.

All in all, the FZ300 is the best cheap camera for macro photography.

On Amazon

On B&H Photo

On Adorama

Outstanding features

  • 12 MP sensor
  • Image stabilization
  • 24-600mm lens
  • F2.8-8 aperture
  • 4K30p video

What I like/dislike about the Panasonic FZ300

Like
  • The FZ300 stands out in many aspects, but I choose to talk about a few key points. First, the image quality is great. Although it’s a small sensor, you can take beautiful macro photos with it, they have plenty of color and sharpness.
  • The zoom range is impressive, it has a wide 24mm option all the way up to 600mm (ff-equivalent). I don’t think there are many cameras as impressive as this one, just imagine how much a 600mm lens on a full-frame camera would cost.
  • I found that the most astounding feature of the FZ300 is the 1cm focus distance. There aren’t many lenses, even for other systems, that have this feature. It’s extremely close and you will get some great close-up shots. 
Dislike
  • The one downside that I found is the noise at higher ISOs. Panasonic’s FZ300 has a small sensor, a 1/2.3″ sensor, that doesn’t capture a lot of light. I suggest you use a flash if you don’t have enough light.

Best budget camera for macro photography

Canon R8

4.5/5

Sebas' take

Now I will recommend a camera that looks a lot like the R6 II but is much more affordable. I am of course talking about the Canon R8. It has the same specs as the R6 II, but there are a few key differences.

It has the same 24 MP sensor, has 4K60p video features, and even has focus stacking. If you’re a beginner and looking for an affordable camera, the R8 will serve you for years to come.

Overall, the R8 is the best budget camera for macro photography.

On Amazon

On B&H Photo

On Adorama

Outstanding features

  • 24 MP full-frame sensor
  • 4K60p video
  • 40fps burst mode
  • Pre-burst mode
  • Focus Bracketing/Stacking
  • Deep learning autofocus

What I like/dislike about the Canon R8

Like
  • Just like the R6 II, the R8 has amazing image quality. Photos look crisp and the noise levels are low. It’s a full-frame sensor, so I don’t think you need a flash to get high-quality images. The photos also look vibrant, with lots of color to play around with.
  • It has the same professional features as the R6 II, the focus stacking and deep learning autofocus are the same. I usually don’t use focus stacking, but if you want to, you can use it.
  • For certain scenarios, the pre-burst mode is handy. If you’re shooting a bee that is about to fly away for example. The R8 takes photos for half a second before you press the shutter button, which can make or break the close-up shot.
  • It is the most compact full-frame RF camera, just like the Canon RP. I could practically put it in my camera bag, with two extra lenses and an R6 II. It fits perfectly and I can walk around for hours with it.
Dislike
  • One downside compared to the R6 II is the size, for me. I like a bigger camera body as my hands are quite large. I can’t hold the grip with my pinky and it feels somewhat uncomfortable, especially with heavy lenses. That’s just something you have to deal with as it’s the best camera under $1500.

The best lenses for macro photography

I made a selection of the best macro photography lenses, especially for Canon cameras. With these lenses, you are guaranteed to take the most beautiful photos.

The very best lens for macro photography is the Canon RF 100mm, the quality of which is phenomenal. If your budget is a little less than that, the Canon RF 85mm is also fantastic. This one is a little less expensive, but that doesn’t make it any less capable. Finally, the Canon RF 35mm is also great, this is the cheapest macro lens on the list.

View all Canon RF lenses on B&H Photo, Amazon, or Adorama.

Want to know more? Read the review! – Canon EOS R8 Review, Tests & Comparisons

Best macro video camera from Fuji

Fujifilm XT5

4.5/5

Sebas' take

I don’t think Fujifilm is a big player in the macro photography world but I would like to introduce you to the Fujifilm X-T5 nonetheless. It has great photo and video features, in fact, it’s the best hybrid macro camera.

With a 40 MP sensor, it blows the other cameras out of the water, and with 6.2K video recording, it’s just incomparable to the competition.

All in all, the XT5 is the best macro video camera.

HolidaysGet $200 off your Fujifilm X-S20!

On Amazon

On B&H Photo

On Adorama

Outstanding features

  • 40 MP APS-C sensor
  • 6.2k/30p video
  • Image stabilization
  • Fuji’s film simulations
  • 15fps burst mode
  • AI autofocus

What I like/dislike about the Fuji XT5

Like
  • Let me start with the sensor because that’s quite one like this is quite unusual. It’s a 40 MP APS-C sensor, the high-resolution crop-sensor camera on the market. The images just look fantastic, it’s sharp and crisp with loads of colors.
  • Focusing on the video side of things, the XT5 scores as well. It can capture 6.2K30p video, which is on the high-end side. You can also shoot 4K60p and anything below that. If you like editing, the F-Log2 might help you, it captures a lot of dynamic range.
  • Sometimes, I like to go out and not have to edit the images. Fujifilm cameras are perfect for that, as the Fuji film simulations are designed for this. They look like you’re shooting with an old camera, I just like the look and feel of the camera.
  • It’s not a light camera, but also not heavy. I find that the XT5 has the perfect size and weight of any camera. It feels comfortable to hold and has a professional feel to it.
Dislike
  • There are lots of pros to the high-resolution sensor, but one major downside is this. If you’re shooting at higher ISOs, you will notice noise much quicker than a lower-resolution body. Just be aware of this.

The best lenses for macro photography

I have made a selection of the best macro photography lenses, especially for Fujifilm cameras. With these lenses, you are guaranteed to take the most beautiful photos.

The very best lens for macro photography is the Fujifilm XF 80mm, the quality of which is phenomenal. If your budget is a little tighter, the Fujifilm XF 30mm is also fantastic. This one is a little less expensive, but that doesn’t make it any less capable. Finally, the Fujifilm XF 60mm is also fantastic, this is the cheapest lens on the list.

View all Fujifilm macro lenses on B&H PhotoAmazon, or Adorama.

Best Canon camera for macro photography

Canon R5

4.5/5

Sebas' take

You almost thought I would forget this one, right? Of course, I didn’t, I had to include the Canon R5. It’s one of the best cameras on the market, with its 45 MP full-frame sensor.

For anything macro-related, the R5 will serve you well. Even for videography, the 8K video mode can show lots of details for close-up shots.

The Canon R5 is generally the best Canon camera for macro photography.

On Amazon

On B&H Photo

On Adorama

Outstanding features

  • 45 MP full-frame sensor
  • 8K30p RAW video
  • 20fps burst mode
  • Built-in stabilization
  • Focus Bracketing
  • Deep learning autofocus

What I like/dislike about the Canon R5

Like
  • Let’s just start somewhere, shall we? The Canon R5 is an expensive camera, I ain’t avoiding that, but what can justify such a price? Well, the sensor and image quality, of course. Photos look incredible, I have never seen such details in close-up shots.
  • The images look sharp, crispy, and vivid, something you would expect from the best Canon camera. It has some more features, like deep learning af and focus bracketing. The latter is handy for macro photography, but I don’t use it personally.
  • Sometimes, you have to shoot lots of photos to get the right shot, the R5 can provide you with speed. I would only shoot with the mechanical shutter, due to a rolling shutter, and with that, you can shoot 12fps.
Dislike
  • I found it hard to find any bad points about the R5, it doesn’t feel right to talk bad about it. For some people, it’s a little bit overkill. The resolution is nice, but the video features may be too much. You don’t have to use it, but isn’t the Nikon Z7 II a better option then?

The best lenses for macro photography

I made a selection of the best macro photography lenses, especially for Canon cameras. With these lenses, you are guaranteed to take the most beautiful photos.

The very best lens for macro photography is the Canon RF 100mm, the quality of which is phenomenal. If your budget is a little less than that, the Canon RF 85mm is also fantastic. This one is a little less expensive, but that doesn’t make it any less capable. Finally, the Canon RF 35mm is also great, this is the cheapest macro lens on the list.

View all Canon RF lenses on B&H Photo, Amazon, or Adorama.

Best DSLR for macro photography

Nikon D850

4.5/5

Sebas' take

The next camera might be a little different than the others on the list, some might even call it old-school. It’s the Nikon D850, a DSLR camera with a mirror. Sometimes, I prefer a DSLR camera as these feel more professional.

The D850 has a 46 MP sensor, just like the new Z8. I don’t think they made any higher-resolution DSLR cameras, this was the best of the best for a long time. It doesn’t have fancy autofocus features, but who needs that anyway?

All in all, the D850 is the best DSLR camera for macro photography.

On Amazon

On B&H Photo

On Adorama

Outstanding features

  • 46 MP full-frame sensor
  • 4K30p video
  • 153 autofocus points
  • Autofocus at F8 (15 points)
  • Best battery life
  • Focus stacking

What I like/dislike about the Nikon D850

Like
  • Let’s talk about the Nikon D850, I already feel the nostalgia coming up. I have been shooting with mirrorless cameras for years, so let me warm up a bit. The image quality is lovely, I mean, for a DSLR camera, there isn’t much better.
  • In some aspects, it is more advanced than newer Sony models. The D850 has focus stacking, a feature that all Sony models miss. I don’t know why, and I don’t use it often, but it’s nice to have.
  • Battery life is something where the D850 stands out, most mirrorless cameras have terrible battery life, although it’s getting better. You can take up to 1840 shots, most of the time, you can shoot for a lot longer. I wish my camera had that, I have to take 3 batteries with me…
Dislike
  • One thing some might not like is the weight, it’s about as heavy as the Canon R3, a camera with a built-in grip. It weighs just over 1 KG (2.2 lbs), which is heavy for a camera like this. Put on a large lens and your arm might fall off (or something close to that).

The best lenses for macro photography

As the D850 is a DSLR camera, you should get some great macro lenses for a much lower price than the Z lenses. Here are some of the best macro photography lenses.

The very best lens for macro photography is the Nikon 105mm, the quality of which is phenomenal. If your budget is a little less than that, the Nikon 85mm is also fantastic. This one is a little less expensive, but that doesn’t make it any less capable. Finally, the Nikon 40mm is also fantastic, this is the cheapest lens on the list.

View all Nikon lenses on B&H Photo, Amazon, or Adorama.

Best Sony camera for macro photography

Sony A7 IV

4.5/5

Sebas' take

Sony is getting more popular by the year, it seems. That’s not an accident, they just create good cameras with quality sensors, and the Sony A7 IV is no different. With the 33 MP sensor, I could crop without a problem.

The ergonomics are also good, with a grip that is not too small and buttons in the right places. By the way, you have a fourth turning wheel at the top, which I found very useful.

All in all, I think the Sony A7 IV is the best Sony camera for macro photography.

On Amazon

On B&H Photo

On Adorama

Outstanding features

  • 33 MP full-frame sensor
  • 4K60p video
  • 4K30p oversampled
  • 10fps burst mode
  • Deep learning autofocus
  • Built-in stabilization

What I like/dislike about the Sony A7 IV

Like
  • Now I want to start with the image quality, which is very good. The 33 MP sensor speaks for itself, but the colors are very popping and natural. The dynamic range is about 14 stops, which allowed me to push the shadows and highlights in post-processing.
  • The new menu is a big improvement, you can find everything much easier and the most normal settings are accessible. That was a different story with the older Sony cameras.
  • I think the high-resolution viewfinder is a must-have in a macro camera. You can easily see whether a photo is sharp, provided you have set the viewfinder properly. By default, the resolution is set to ‘normal’ and not ‘high’.
  • Finally, the A7 IV feels very fast, which means that there are few delays and everything is very direct, which adds something to the user experience.
Dislike
  • In my opinion, the grip does not feel as good as Canon, the corners are a bit sharper and I prefer the rounded corners. This also causes damage more quickly, which you can see if you look up second-hand models.

The best lenses for macro photography

I made a selection of the best macro photography lenses, especially for Sony cameras. With these lenses, you are guaranteed to take the most beautiful photos.

The very best lens for macro photography is the Sony FE 90mm, the quality of which is phenomenal. If your budget is a little less than that, the Sony FE 105mm (Sigma) is also fantastic. This one is a little less expensive, but that doesn’t make it any less capable. Finally, the Sony FE 50mm is also fantastic, this is the cheapest lens on the list.

View all Sony lenses on B&H Photo, Amazon, or Adorama.

Best Nikon camera for macro photography

Nikon Z5

4.5/5

Sebas' take

One of the last cameras I would like to recommend is the Nikon Z5. It is an affordable camera, costing even less than the R8. It has a full-frame 24 MP sensor and has great features.

It has a few downsides, of course, but I would expect that from such a cheap macro camera. Most important of all, the Z5 provides excellent image quality, even with higher ISOs.

All in all, the Nikon Z5 is the best Nikon camera for macro photography.

On Amazon

On B&H Photo

On Adorama

Outstanding features

  • 24 MP full-frame sensor
  • 4K30p video
  • Focus bracketing
  • 4.5fps burst
  • Stabilization

What I like/dislike about the Nikon Z5

Like
  • There are a few things that caught my attention with the Z5, first, it has a full-frame sensor. It’s priced in the APS-C range, costing just over $1000. I think you should get a full-frame sensor for macro photography, as the noise performance is just a lot better.
  • Unlike the Sony camera, the Z5 has focus bracketing. I mentioned it before, I don’t recommend using it all of the time, but it’s a feature that’s needed for certain situations.
  • I like the Z5 more in some aspects than the EOS R8, although they are both small and full-frame. The Z5 has built-in stabilization, a feature that the R8 lacks. You can shoot with a longer shutter speed, while keeping the camera steady and getting sharp photos.
Dislike
  • One thing I don’t like too much is the dynamic range. It’s great when the lighting is perfect and you have a well-balanced photo, but most of the time, we don’t have that.
    It’s not a winter wonderland over here, the Z5 will show more noise in the shadows than the competitors. It looks a lot like the EOS RP in that aspect.

The best lenses for macro photography

I made a selection of the best macro photography lenses, especially for Nikon cameras. With these lenses, you are guaranteed to take the most beautiful photos.

The very best lens for macro photography is the Nikon Z 105mm, the quality of which is phenomenal. If your budget is a little less than that, the Nikon Z 50mm is also fantastic. This one is a little less expensive, but that doesn’t make it any less capable. Finally, the Nikon Z 24-50mm is also fantastic, this is the cheapest lens on the list.

View all Nikon Z lenses on B&H Photo, Amazon, or Adorama.

Best camera for close up photography (bridge)

Sony RX10 IV

4.5/5

Sebas' take

Last but not least, I want to introduce you to the Sony RX10 IV. If you’ve never heard from it, it’s the most popular bridge camera for good reason. It has a 20 MP sensor and has a zoom range of 24-600mm.

You might wonder why you should buy this one instead of the FZ300, well, I will explain that in a moment. With the minimal focus distance of 3cm (1.2 inches), you can get some great close-up shots.

Overall, the RX10 IV is the best bridge camera for close up photography.

On Amazon

On B&H Photo

On Adorama

Outstanding features

  • 20 MP sensor
  • 24-600mm zoom
  • F2.4-4 aperture
  • 3cm focus distance
  • Fast Sony autofocus

What I like/dislike about the Sony RX10 IV

Like
  • There are many things I like about the RX10 IV. It’s a pretty big camera, it’s not nearly as small as the R50 for example. I like the fact that it is bigger, the RX10 IV fits perfectly into my hand and it feels more comfortable to hold.
  • The weight makes it more stable, even if you’re shooting videos. Ever wonder why the cine cameras are so big? That’s why! If you’re not so stable yourself, the stabilization will help you get some sharp photos.
  • Image-quality-wise, it’s great. The aperture is wide open, that’s one of the reasons it’s a big camera. I would take the RX10 IV over the FZ300 because of the aperture. It opens up to F4 at 600mm, instead of F8 (FZ300). The image quality is a lot better in darker conditions.
Dislike
  • One thing I kind of like but can be a downside is the weight. The FZ300 is a lot lighter and I know some people do prefer that. You will have better image quality with the RX10 IV, but it comes at a cost.

What should you look for in a camera for macro photography?

Image quality & resolution

The image quality of a camera is determined by three main factors: resolution, sensor size, and lens choice.

A higher resolution camera is actually always better for macro photography, it’s all about details and a higher resolution will allow you to zoom digitally to get the most out of it.

You often have to work with a higher ISO, due to the closing of the aperture. The full-frame cameras are often best for this, because the pixels are larger, allowing them to capture more light. Therefore, if possible, choose a full-frame camera for macro photography.

Finally, the choice of lens is very important. If you don’t have great glass in front of the sensor, the megapixels and sensor size don’t matter. To get the most out of a camera, you will have to invest in a good lens.

Focusing & accuracy

As macro photographers we work with subjects that are close to the lens, it is extremely important that the focus is at the best level. Certain new cameras have insect detection, which makes it easier to photograph them.

The depth of field is often very small and this makes it difficult to get a photo sharp. If you are not satisfied with the focus, you can always focus manually, so that the camera is no longer a bottleneck.

Stabilization & flash options

As I just said, you often have to make the aperture very small to create a greater depth of field. The result is a dark photo that needs to be compensated with ISO or shutter speed.

If you want to use a slower shutter speed, stabilization is extremely important. This way you can still take sharp photos at shutter speeds of 1/20 of a second.

Another option could be a flash, many macro photographers also opt for this. Therefore, always choose a camera with many flashes available. Not every flash fits every camera, so pay close attention to that.

Flexibility in lenses

Macro lenses can be very expensive and bulky, we all know that. From the 100mm F/2.8 to the 50mm macro lenses: the choice is huge. Choose a camera with enough macro lenses available, so that you have a suitable lens in every situation.

Live view & focus peaking

This point is often underestimated and almost never talked about. You often have to assume awkward positions to take the most beautiful macro photos, so a camera that has a rotating screen is essential.

If the camera has a focus peaking function, that is useful. A red border appears around all sharp parts of the photo. This way you can see exactly what is sharp and which part is out of focus. That way you won’t come home with a blurry photo.

Focus bracketing & stacking

Most new cameras have a focus bracketing or stacking mode, where the camera takes multiple photos at different focus points to create a photo that is completely sharp.

With focus bracketing, the camera takes several photos that you have to stack yourself in special software, and with focus stacking, the camera does that itself.

Portability & Ease of use

As I said, as macro photographers we often have to sit in awkward positions to get the shots. A heavy camera is therefore not really the first choice. If you have a light and small camera, the process will be a lot easier and you can take pictures without frustration.

Best macro camera FAQ

What are the best lenses for macro photography?

The best lenses for macro photography are those made specifically for macro photography. The minimum focus distance is often close by. One of the most popular lenses for macro photography is the 100mm F2.8, this lens is affordable and lets a lot of light through. Ideal as a macro photographer.

View all macro lenses on B&H Photo, Amazon, or Adorama.

Which Canon camera is best for close up shots?

The best Canon camera for close up shots is the Canon EOS R5. It’s a 45 MP full-frame camera that delivers great quality photos and videos. It has the best autofocus mechanism that recognizes subjects and has focus bracketing modes.

What kind of camera should I get for macro photography?

A mirrorless camera is the best kind of camera for macro photography. They are usually smaller and more compact, thus easier to carry and have better lenses. A DSLR camera is also great for macro photography, they are much cheaper than mirrorless cameras and I won’t hold you back if you want one.

Full frame cameras are usually better for macro photography due to the noise ratio on them. The larger sensors produce less noise and have clearer images. If the lighting is right, APS-C sensors are also worth a try. Due to the crop factor, you’re closer to the subject.

In conclusion

Now that you know which cameras I recommend, it’s up to you which one you buy. I don’t suggest just buying any camera, you should research before you make a purchase as some cameras are expensive.

If you’re just starting out, a compact macro camera or a beginner camera for close up shots might be the best. I don’t suggest you buy the most expensive camera as a novice photographer.

For more experienced users, I would recommend the better full-frame cameras. These provide better image quality and, if you know how to use them, you can get stunning images.

Make sure to leave a comment if you have any questions or just want to leave your thoughts.

Who is behind Bysebas?

Who is Sebastiaan?

Hi! I am Sebastiaan, the writer of this blog. With years of experience as a professional photographer, I want to share my expertise with you. From recommending cameras and lenses to giving tips that make a world of difference, that’s what I enjoy doing most.

Read more >>

There are tons of different cameras you can buy for under $1500. Full-frame cameras from Canon and Nikon, as well as mirrorless cameras from Sony and Fujifilm, are among the preferred options of professional photographers...

Leave your thoughts here!

Leave your thoughts here!

Looking for the best
macro camera?

The Canon EOS R6 II is what you need.