To take outstanding macro shots, you need the right camera. Ideally, your macro camera should have a large sensor and great low-light capabilities. It should also have either a fixed lens with macro capabilities or an interchangeable lens mount and access to high-quality dedicated macro lenses.
In this guide, we look at the best macro cameras in 2023:
This includes a range of high-quality mirrorless cameras that offer access to incredible macro lenses. It also includes several point-and-shoot options that feature lenses with a good magnification ratio.
After reading this article, you should have a clear idea of the different cameras available for macro shots!
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1. Canon EOS R5
The Canon EOS R5 gives you access to RF and EF macro lenses, and it also has an amazing 45 MP sensor and an advanced AF system.
One of the best macro cameras and our top pick is the Canon EOS R5. This is currently one of Canon’s best cameras, and it can be used to create professional photos in virtually any situation.
The EOS R5 excels at macro photography for several reasons. First, it has a 45 MP full-frame sensor, which takes superb images with excellent colors, contrast, and dynamic range.
Second, it has Canon’s latest AF system, which features 100% frame coverage. Combine the EOS R5 with a high-quality Canon lens, and you can easily focus on moving macro subjects like insects or flowers blowing in the wind. And due to the in-body IS, you can do this handheld.
Third, the Canon EOS R5 can use both native RF lenses and EF lenses via an adapter. This gives you amazing flexibility, and it certainly offers access to plenty of sharp, high-quality glass!
2. Nikon Z7 II
The Nikon Z7 II has impressive low-light capabilities and offers all-around amazing image quality.
The Nikon Z7 II is one of the best macro cameras and comparable to the EOS R5 in terms of specifications and lens availability. This full-frame mirrorless camera has a 45.7 MP sensor, which provides incredible resolution for your macro shots and performs well in low-light situations.
If you don’t have access to a tripod, don’t worry; the Nikon Z7 II also has powerful 5-axis image stabilization. This helps greatly when using the camera handheld.
We also like that the camera has an intuitive set of controls, a high-quality LCD touchscreen, and a robust exterior casing. To get the best macro shots, you should use the best Nikon macro lenses – either from Nikon’s Z-mount or F-mount series.
3. Sony a7R IV
The Sony a7R IV features one of the best sensors, which packs an incredible 61 MP.
The Sony a7R IV is an incredible camera and offers one of the best full-frame sensors currently available. As a result, you can expect amazing colors and resolution in your macro photos.
The Sony a7R IV is also one of the best macro cameras due to its powerful AF system, which features 567 phase-detection AF points and 425 contrast-detection AF points. The AF system has impressive frame coverage and provides quick and accurate focusing.
The camera also looks great and has a fully rotatable LCD touchscreen. This allows for easy viewing of your macro photos, especially when using a tripod.
4. Panasonic Lumix GH6
The Panasonic Lumix GH6 has the superb focus-stacking mode. It also benefits from a high-resolution sensor and fast AF system.
Panasonic has some excellent cameras that offer impressive focus-stacking capabilities. One of the best macro cameras, therefore, is the Panasonic Lumix GH6. This is the latest GH-series model and features improvements over the GH5.
It has a 25 MP sensor and also benefits from dual 5-axis image stabilization. This provides shake reduction for up to 7.5 stops, which is far better than many other manufacturers’ in-body IS.
As mentioned, the Lumix GH6 also has a focus-stacking photo mode. You can take multiple photos, each one with a different point of focus, and the camera will then merge the files together to create a single image with a deep depth of field. This results in some fantastic-quality macro shots with lots of detail.
The Lumix GH6 also has access to the best Micro Four Thirds macro lenses.
5. Panasonic Lumix S5
The Panasonic Lumix S5 has a more traditional mirrorless design that is more compact than the Lumix GH6.
The Panasonic Lumix S5 is another excellent Micro Four Thirds camera, and it’s one of the best macro cameras thanks to its 24 MP sensor, ISO capabilities, excellent AF system, and in-body image stabilization.
The Lumix S5 also has a focus-stacking mode. As described above, this allows you to combine multiple macro photos together with different focus points to create a single, highly detailed file. Compared to the GH6, the design is smaller and lighter. It looks better and feels less cluttered.
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Like the GH6, the Panasonic Lumix S5 has access to a great range of lenses, including third-party options from Sigma.
6. Canon EOS R6
The Canon EOS R6 is an incredible camera for nearly any subject, including flowers and insects.
The Canon EOS R6 is another fantastic full-frame mirrorless camera from Canon; it excels at virtually every type of photography thanks to the array of pro-level features and expansive lens options.
The Canon EOS R6 has a 20 MP sensor, and while the low MP count may put some people off, don’t let this fool you; the image quality is amazing and certainly good enough for professionals.
The camera also has a great autofocus system with 100% coverage and 1,053 AF areas. As a result, you can easily focus on moving macro subjects like insects and wildlife, even when other cameras might struggle.
The R6 has an RF lens mount, which gives users access to Canon’s impressive RF lens lineup. The camera can also use any of Canon’s high-quality EF macro lenses (via an adapter).
7. Nikon Z6 II
The Nikon Z6 II offers similar features to the Z7 II but uses a 24.1 MP sensor. It is still capable of taking incredible macro photos, however.
The Nikon Z6 II is a step down from the more expensive Nikon Z7 II and could be compared to the Canon EOS R6 in terms of quality and specs. As a result, it makes for a more affordable macro camera but still offers access to Nikon’s amazing macro lenses.
The Nikon Z6 II has a 24.5 MP sensor that excels at low-light macro photography. This full-frame mirrorless camera also has a Nikon Z lens mount. This means you can equip it with some of the best Nikon lenses for macro photography; you can also use an adapter and thus gain access to the full range of F-mount macro lenses, too.
If you don’t want to pay the price for the Nikon Z7 II but still want a professional-quality camera, the Nikon Z6 II is a top choice.
8. Olympus Tough TG-6
The Olympus Tough TG-6 has four dedicated macro modes and a fixed lens so you can take macro photos with minimum setup and fuss.
If you want to take macro photos in a variety of locations on your travels, the Olympus Tough TG-6 is one of the best macro cameras available. This durable camera is meant for outdoor use: It’s waterproof up to 50 ft/15 m, plus it’s dustproof, shockproof, crushproof, and freezeproof!
What makes this camera great for macro photography is the variable macro system. It has four special macro shooting modes and can capture objects a mere 1 cm from the end of the lens.
The macro modes are aided by a high-resolution lens with a maximum aperture of f/2. This allows you to take photos with a shallow depth of field and thus easily emphasize specific parts of your subject, such as the eyes of an insect.
You can also use the Olympus Tough TG-6 to create some superb underwater macro photos. For the serious adventurer who likes to stray off the beaten track, this robust camera is an amazing pick.
9. Ricoh GR III
The Ricoh GR III is an excellent point-and-shoot camera with a dedicated macro mode.
The Ricoh GR III is an impressive point-and-shoot camera that is capable of high-quality macro photos. It has a compact design and could be a particularly great choice for macro photography while traveling.
The Ricoh GR III has a 24 MP sensor and 3-axis shake reduction (the latter helps if you are trying to take macro shots handheld). The best feature, however, is the dedicated macro mode.
The macro mode has a unique feature that allows you to focus on subjects as close as 2.36 in/6 cm, which is quite incredible. This means that you can get an amazing level of detail for still subjects like plants.
The camera is also well built (the exterior is made from magnesium alloy). You can therefore comfortably use the camera when shooting outside. And it has a high-definition LCD touchscreen, which makes composing and previewing your macro photos simple.
10. Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80
The Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 is a great starter camera that will allow you to progress to more advanced macro photography compositions.
Our last point-and-shoot option is the Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80. This is an excellent budget camera that has a wide range of features for various types of photography. If you want a compact camera that allows you to experiment with some advanced features, this is our top choice.
The Lumix DC-FZ80 has an 18.1 MP sensor and a fixed lens. The lens is a DC Vario model and has an effective focal length of 20-1200mm. This includes a maximum aperture range of f/2.8 to f/5.9.
It has a range of features for macro photography. First, it has a macro shooting mode that allows you to focus as close as 0.4 in/1 cm. This is great for extreme close-up shots. Second, like other Lumix cameras, it has a focus-stacking mode. This allows you to take multiple shots with different focal points and then combine them together.
We also like that the lens has built-in image stabilization. This helps reduce camera shake and means you can take some macro photos handheld.
Pick the Perfect Macro Camera!
Macro photography is one of the most intriguing and exciting types of photography. There is something rewarding about capturing things like plants, insects, and everyday objects. If you want to try this type of photography, you should now have a clear idea of the best macro cameras in 2023.
But which camera is right for you? If you want to take professional-grade macro photos, a premium mirrorless camera like the Canon EOS R5 is a good pick.
Alternatively, if you want a camera with focus stacking, something like the Panasonic Lumix GH6 is a great option.
Lastly, if you’re after a cheap, compact model, the Olympus Tough TG-6, the Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80, and the Ricoh GR III are all excellent point-and-shoot macro cameras.
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