Focus stacking lets you achieve a greater depth of field in your photos, but it can be a hassle to focus several images and then blend them in post-processing.
That’s where focus-stacking cameras come in; they can focus stack images automatically, with no required post-processing software (or time). In this guide, we look at ten of the best cameras with focus stacking!
Best Camera for Focus Bracketing and Stacking:
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1. Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
The OM-D E-M1 Mark III has a great set of features including a full focus-stacking mode.
Our top pick is the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III. Olympus is a key manufacturer offering built-in focus-stacking cameras, and the OM-D E-M1 Mark III is one of their best options thanks to a great set of features, a robust design, and excellent ergonomics.
This camera has a 20.4 MP Four Thirds sensor, and you can expect high-quality photos with great contrast. You also get in-body image stabilization that can compensate for up to 7.5 stops of camera shake.
We like the versatile camera settings and the comfortable design; the E-M1 Mark III is easy to use but gives great control via features like an EV control dial.
The OM-D E-M1 Mark III also includes Olympus’s focus-bracketing and focus-stacking modes. As a result, you can either take a series of shots at different focus points or use the full focus-stacking setting to automatically combine images within the camera. Please be aware, however, that not all Olympus lenses are compatible with the focus-stacking feature, so it is advisable to check before investing in a lens.
2. Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III
The OM-D E-M5 Mark III has a weather-sealed design and is great for outdoor focus stacking.
The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III is technically a lower-spec camera than the OM-D E-M1 Mark III. However, it has some features that are superior and is certainly one of the best cameras with built-in focus stacking on the market.
This camera has a 20 MP sensor as well as a more compact and lightweight design, making it great for focus-stacking macro shots on the go.
Like the OM-D E-M1 Mark III, this camera also has in-body image stabilization, which provides compensation for up to 5.5 stops of camera shake. We also like that it has a durable, weather-sealed exterior.
Of course, the OM-D E-M5 Mark III includes focus-stacking and focus-bracketing capabilities. The focus-stacking mode offers great control and allows you to easily increase the depth of field in your photos without post-processing software.
3. Olympus OM-D E-M1X
The Olympus OM-D E-M1X has an ergonomic design with a host of useful features for focus stacking.
If professional photography is your goal, the Olympus OM-D E-M1X is an excellent option. This is a high-end mirrorless camera that features some noticeable upgrades over the OM-D E-M1 Mark III. For example, it has a vertical grip that allows you to comfortably hold the camera in both orientations.
The E-M1X has a 20.3 MP sensor that offers excellent image quality, and the camera can also perform great in low-light situations. We also like that it has 5-axis image stabilization, which provides up to 7.5 stops of compensation.
AF controls let you easily select different AF points when using the focus-stacking shooting mode. Like other Olympus cameras on this list, the E-M1X features both focus-bracketing and focus-stacking modes. Lastly, it has a live ND filter effect, so you can get the results of an ND filter without needing to mount one on your lens.
The Olympus OM-D E-M1X is a great camera and is definitely a top focus-stacking pick for professional shooters.
4. Panasonic Lumix G95
The Lumix G95 is a well-rounded mirrorless camera with advanced focus-stacking features.
One of the best Panasonic focus-stacking cameras is the Lumix G95, which features a 20.3 MP sensor and comes with a 12-60mm lens (a decent kit lens that’s impressively versatile).
The Lumix G95 is lightweight and features a compact design. The body is also comfortable to hold, although it does have a cluttered button layout. Regardless, intermediate photographers should find it pleasing to use.
The G95 includes a great range of special shooting modes, including focus stacking. Another notable option is the Live View Composite mode; this allows you to create a single image from several RAW shots inside the camera without the need for any additional software.
The Lumix 95 also has image stabilization and a fully rotatable LCD touchscreen. It may not pack the same resolution as some of the other cameras on this list, but it is versatile and offers a great set of features.
5. Panasonic Lumix GX9
The GX9 is a decent camera for beginners and allows you to create focus-stacked images with minimum effort.
Next is the Panasonic Lumix GX9, another relatively inexpensive camera that comes in a bundle with a 12-60mm lens.
It has a smaller body than the G95 and a more minimalistic design, too, which makes it ideal for beginners who have never used a mirrorless or DSLR camera before. It also has an electronic viewfinder and a touchscreen that can be rotated downward 180 degrees.
The GX9 packs a 20.3 MP sensor, which offers very nice image quality. The autofocus system is okay, and although it can’t quite match the G95’s AF, you should still be able to focus on subjects with relative ease.
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The included focus-stacking technology is excellent, plus the beginner-friendly design means you can create advanced photos with minimal technical knowledge. You can also expect a great degree of stability thanks to the built-in image stabilization (and the image stabilization in the kit lens, too!).
6. Panasonic Lumix G9
The G9 features excellent IS, a decent AF system, and some useful modes for high-quality macro shots.
Our last Panasonic pick is the Lumix G9. This is a high-quality mirrorless camera designed for intermediate photographers; it packs a 20.3 MP Four Thirds sensor and a decent ISO range.
We like that this camera has in-body image stabilization. As a result, you should be able to capture sharp shots in low light and record smooth 4K video without much trouble.
The Panasonic Lumix G9 also has an easy-to-use focus-stacking feature, which – when combined with the IS – makes the camera great for detailed macro shots.
The design is also ergonomic, and you get a large, textured grip. The button layout is also relatively minimalistic compared to other Panasonic cameras. Lastly, we like that this camera has a special high-resolution mode, which takes a series of 20.3 MP RAW images and combines them to create one ultra-resolution 80 MP file.
7. Fujifilm X-Pro3
The Fujifilm X-Pro3 has some excellent features and a high-quality, 26.1 MP sensor.
Fujifilm offers focus-stacking technology in some of its cameras, including the X-Pro3, a high-end, full-frame mirrorless model that’s great for serious photographers.
The X-Pro3 boasts a powerful APS-C sensor with an effective resolution of 26.1 MP. This sensor offers an excellent dynamic range and produces fantastic colors. We also like that the camera is easy to use thanks to the LCD touchscreen and the high-quality OLED EVF. This means that you can easily compose your photos using the screen or the viewfinder.
The X-Pro3 has a retro design that isn’t loved by all photographers. However, those who prefer traditional camera designs will appreciate the contrasting black and silver body.
8. Panasonic Lumix S5
The Panasonic Lumix S5 has an intuitive focus-stacking mode but also excels at video due to its solid AF system.
The Panasonic Lumix S5 is another impressive focus-stacking camera and the latest model in the Lumix S series. It’s a full-frame mirrorless camera that features a 24 MP sensor and 4K video recording capabilities, including the ability to record in various 4K RAW file formats.
Compared to previous models, the S5 also has a vastly improved AF system. Subject tracking is far superior and you can focus with a higher degree of accuracy, too. This is complemented by the in-body image stabilization that can correct for up to 6.5 stops of camera shake.
This camera also has a dedicated focus-stacking shooting mode. You can select two focus points on a subject, and the camera automatically takes the necessary shots and compiles a focus-stacked file.
Finally, we like the S5’s compact body and the high-quality, fully rotatable LCD touchscreen display.
9. Panasonic Lumix GH6
The Panasonic Lumix GH6 has a 25.2 MP sensor that excels at low light photography; it also offers in-body image stabilization.
The Lumix GH6 is the latest Panasonic Micro Four Thirds camera; it packs a new 25.2 MP sensor, so you can expect excellent image resolution and realistic detail in your photos. It also has the new Venus engine, which improves the camera’s processing speed and power.
We like that the GH6 has both focus-stacking and focus-bracketing shooting modes. You can use the focus-stacking mode to automatically create focus-stacked images, or you can use the focus-bracketing mode to take photos (then you can merge the files in focus-stacking software when back at home).
The camera body is a little bulkier, but it still looks great and benefits from the built-in image stabilization. If you want a premium Micro Four Thirds camera for focus stacking, this is certainly one of your best options!
10. Nikon Z6 II
The Nikon Z6 II is a high-end mirrorless camera that has a host of awesome features, including focus stacking.
Our last pick is the Nikon Z6 II, which is capable of creating deep depth of field photos with minimum effort.
This compact mirrorless camera offers top-notch image quality thanks to the 24.5 MP sensor. The Z6 II also features dual card slots, and we like that this mirrorless camera has dual EXPEED 6 image processors, which allow the camera to operate incredibly quickly.
You can use the Focus Shift feature to create focus-stacked images. This tool is easy to work with, and – in conjunction with the camera’s other high-end features – you can produce some fantastic results.
Pick the Right Focus-Stacking Camera for Incredible Photos!
We hope you found this guide to the best cameras with focus stacking useful. As you can see, there are quite a few cameras that allow you to produce beautiful focus-stacked images.
We should also mention that there are some Canon cameras, such as the Canon EOS R6, that feature focus bracketing. This is similar to focus stacking, but the mode does not combine the photos afterward. Instead, you simply take a series of focus-bracketed shots, and you must then combine them using focus-stacking software afterward.
If you want professional-grade focus stacking, the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III is a great option. Alternatively, for focus stacking on a budget, the Panasonic Lumix GX9 is the better choice.
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Hi, Why you havent’ mentioned Panasonic s5? As far as I know it has in camera photo stacking.
Do any of the Sony full cameras have focus stacking?
Also does the new Olympus om1 has this facility?
Sony …as of 11/16/2022
nope!
However, it does have a Bluetooth remote. This can be used to take a series of focus stacking pics by pressing the + (focus) button x number of times between frames and then the shutter button. images can then be post processed by programs like Helocon Focus. Oh and the a6400 is weatherized as are the GM lenses, but the e mount mistakenly does not mesh properly with the lens’ gasket which compromises water resistance! Oops Sony!
What about the new Canon R7 and R10?
The R7 has focus stacking and a 33mp sensor.
The Olympus OM-D EM-1 mark 1, can also focus stacking like the mark 3, with a firmware update. Also, with Olympus, only selected lenses can be used for this function.