11 Best Camera for Macro Photography in 2023 (Updated Monthly)

There are a lot of different factors to consider when choosing the best camera for macro photography. But thankfully, there are some fantastic macro cameras on the market. And we’re here to help you find the perfect camera for your macro photography.

In this article, we’ll take a look at 10 of the best cameras for macro photography on the market. And we’ll help you figure out which one is the perfect fit for your needs.

The Canon EOS RP is our favorite macro camera right now. It has a full-frame sensor that gives you incredible details and dynamic range. And the price tag is more than reasonable for a full-frame mirrorless camera.

Our Top 3 Choices for The Best Camera For Macro Photography

Canon EOS RP

Olympus Tough TG-6

Nikon W300

What Is the Best Camera For Macro Photography in 2023?

Before we look in detail at our top picks, here’s a summary of all our recommendations. We’ve included a wide range of cameras, so there’s something for everyone.

You’ll find mirrorless and DSLR cameras. We even have an excellent selection of compact cameras for macro photography. There are full-frame and APS-C cameras. And there’s a camera to match any budget. There’s a big selection. But every camera is a good option for macro photography.

Best Overall Pick

Canon EOS RP

Affordable full-frame mirrorless
Lightweight and easy to handle
Macro stacking and time-lapse
Convenient Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Nice 4K video performance

Best Waterproof Compact

Olympus Tough TG-6

Very strong and durable body
Waterproof to 50 ft (15.5 m)
RAW file shooting capabilities
Excellent macro shooting
Smooth 4K video recording

Best Rugged Compact

Nikon W300

Easy-to-use menus and controls
Fixed, 5x optical zoom lens
Small enough to fit in your pocket
Shockproof, dustproof, and waterproof
Wi-Fi connectivity, GPS, e-compass, and depth gauge
4K Ultra HD with a time-lapse feature

Best Bridge Camera

Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV

Impressive 24 fps maximum continuous shooting speed
Crisp image quality
Unrivaled lens for a bridge camera
Incredible 24-600mm zoom range
4K video quality

Best for Video

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX10 / LX15

Good resolution from a 1" sensor
Excellent-quality Leica lens
Great built-in image stabilization
f/1.4 max aperture at wide angles
Fantastic video mode options

Best Budget Canon

Canon EOS R50

Lightweight mirrorless body with a 24.2 MP sensor
100% coverage with Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus system
15 fps burst mode with electronic shutter
Fully rotating touchscreen with webcam and vlogging capabilities
4K uncropped video at 30 fps

Best Budget Nikon

Nikon Z30

Compact and lightweight body
Responsive and accurate AF with eye detection and tracking
Wide ISO range with excellent low-noise performance at the top end
Vari-angle screen perfect for videos and vlogging
Environmental sealing for outdoors

Best Compact APS-C

Ricoh GR IIIx

Large 24 MP APS-C sensor
Fast f/2.8 lens (40mm full-frame equivalent)
Impressive, sharp image quality
Minimum focus distance of 6 cm / 2.4"
Handy touchscreen shows bright and vivid images

Best Nikon APS-C

Nikon D850

Fantastic overall image quality
Excellent 3D continuous AF tracking
Sharp 4K / 30p Ultra HD video
Long, 1,840-shot battery life
Durable, weather-sealed construction

Best Canon DSLR

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

Quality sensor produces detailed and vibrant images even at high ISOs
Dual Pixel AF with eye detection
User-friendly touch-to-focus screen
900-shot battery life
Cinema-quality (DCI) 4K video

Best Nikon Mirrorless

Nikon Z5

Brilliant 273-point autofocus (AF) system
Fantastic expandable ISO range for low-light shooting
In-body 5-axis image stabilization
High-resolution electronic viewfinder

Starting with our overall winner, let’s look at the details of our top macro cameras.

1. Canon EOS RP

Brand	Brand Canon
Sensor Format	Sensor Format Full Frame
Lens Mount	Lens Mount Canon RF
Megapixels	Megapixels 26 MP
In-body Stabilization	In-body Stabilization
Autofocus Points	Autofocus Points 4,779
Minimum ISO (Native)	Minimum ISO (Native) 100
Maximum ISO (Native)	Maximum ISO (Native) 40,000
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 5 fps
Video	Video
Screen Size	Screen Size 3"

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With a sensor that can capture amazing detail and top-class autofocus, the Canon EOS RP is a great choice for macro photography. The fully articulating screen is superb for awkward locations. But the electronic viewfinder also offers features like magnification. This makes checking focus a breeze on whichever screen you use.

Autofocus covers the whole sensor, so you can get the subject’s key details in focus no matter what. And you have access not just to the ever-growing RF-mount lenses, but to EF lenses via an adapter. That’s a massive stable of available Canon and third-party lenses.

The Canon EOS RP is a great camera for many photography genres, and macro is no exception.

2. Olympus Tough TG-6

Brand	Brand Olympus
Sensor Format	Sensor Format 1/2.3”
Lens Mount	Lens Mount Fixed
Megapixels	Megapixels 12 MP
In-body Stabilization	In-body Stabilization
Autofocus Points	Autofocus Points 25
Minimum ISO (Native)	Minimum ISO (Native) 100
Maximum ISO (Native)	Maximum ISO (Native) 1,600
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 20 fps
Video	Video
Screen Size	Screen Size 3"

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The Olympus Tough TG-6 is a versatile point-and-shoot camera designed for capturing images in all sorts of conditions. It’s waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, crushproof, and even freezeproof. The TG-6 is close to indestructible.

Inside, the 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor produces 12-bit RAW and JPEG images at a resolution of 4000 x 3000 pixels.

The lens, which is the most important part, has a focal length range of 4.5 to 18mm. This is the equivalent of 25-100mm. It’s a great tool for macro photography, as the macro mode lets you focus from 1 cm to infinity. It’s perfect for life-size images of all those dangerous things you need to photograph from afar.

3. Nikon COOLPIX w300

Brand	Brand Nikon
Sensor Format	Sensor Format 1/2.3”
Lens Mount	Lens Mount Fixed
Megapixels	Megapixels 16 MP
In-body Stabilization	In-body Stabilization
Autofocus Points	Autofocus Points 1
Minimum ISO (Native)	Minimum ISO (Native) 125
Maximum ISO (Native)	Maximum ISO (Native) 1,600
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 7 fps
Video	Video
Screen Size	Screen Size 3"

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The Nikon COOLPIX W300 is a tough camera when it comes to the great outdoors. It operates from a 16 MP 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS sensor. It has special macro modes built in.

BSI stands for “backside illuminated” image sensor. This essentially lets more light through the sensor architecture. It tends to produce cleaner image files and produce better results in low-light conditions.

The lens is a wide zoom, ranging from 24 to 120mm. There’s no viewfinder, so all composition comes through the LCD screen. The lens comes with vibration reduction, perfect for reducing unintended blur from camera shake.

The best thing about this little system is the built-in lights. This is perfect for when you are blocking the natural light due to being so close to your subject. The focus starts at 1 cm, so being close to your subject is a must.

4. Sony RX10 Mark IV

Brand	Brand Sony
Sensor Format	Sensor Format 1"
Lens Mount	Lens Mount Fixed
Megapixels	Megapixels 20 MP
In-body Stabilization	In-body Stabilization
Autofocus Points	Autofocus Points 315
Minimum ISO (Native)	Minimum ISO (Native) 100
Maximum ISO (Native)	Maximum ISO (Native) 12,800
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 24 fps
Video	Video
Screen Size	Screen Size 3"

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The Sony RX10 Mark IV is a bridge camera. In other words, a bridge between compact cameras and more “serious” cameras. The 21 MP, one-inch Exmor RS image sensor is capable of capturing some outstanding macro photos.

There is a feature called “digital manual focus.” This allows you to fine-tune your focus after you’ve taken the shot.

But for macro, it’s best to use manual focus and try to nail it on the scene. That’s always the best option. You can use either live view on the back screen or the electronic viewfinder for this.

The lens coupled with this camera is very capable. It is a 24-600mm equivalent zoom lens with an f/2.4-4 maximum aperture range and electronic (not manual) zoom. The lens will focus from around 3 cm at the wide-angle setting and from 72 cm at the telephoto end.

This camera also has Wi-Fi capabilities, making it easy to send your images to your phone immediately. One handy tip—take extra batteries!

5. Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX10/LX15

Brand	Brand Panasonic
Sensor Format	Sensor Format 1"
Lens Mount	Lens Mount Fixed
Megapixels	Megapixels 20 MP
In-body Stabilization	In-body Stabilization
Autofocus Points	Autofocus Points 49
Minimum ISO (Native)	Minimum ISO (Native) 125
Maximum ISO (Native)	Maximum ISO (Native) 12,800
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 10 fps
Video	Video
Screen Size	Screen Size 3"

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The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX10/LX15 is a camera powered by a 20.1 MP 1-inch CMOS sensor. It boasts a 5-axis HYBRID optical image stabilization mechanism which helps when shooting in low-light conditions.

This extra wiggle room translates to keeping your ISO low, giving you the highest quality images. This is more important for macro photography than for other types of shooting.

This is a point-and-shoot camera that lets you use focus stacking, allowing a cleaner and crisper image with attention to the depth of field. The lens is a DC Vario-Summilux zoom lens with a focal length range of an equivalent of 24-72mm.

It can focus from 50 cm to infinity in its normal mode, and macro mode focuses from 3 cm all the way to infinity.

This is essentially a better-quality sibling of the compact cameras further up on the list.

6. Canon EOS R50

Brand	Brand Canon
Sensor Format	Sensor Format APS-C
Lens Mount	Lens Mount Canon RF
Megapixels	Megapixels 24 MP
In-body Stabilization	In-body Stabilization
Autofocus Points	Autofocus Points 651
Minimum ISO (Native)	Minimum ISO (Native) 100
Maximum ISO (Native)	Maximum ISO (Native) 32,000
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 12 fps
Video	Video
Screen Size	Screen Size 3"

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The EOS R50 is an entry-level, beginner Canon camera. But as we have seen with other Canon beginner systems, they are rich in quality. These cameras are intuitive to use and very responsive, making the photo experience much better. This is the case with the T6i kit, too.

Inside, you’ll find a 24.2 MP sensor that captures high-quality images with stunning color reproduction. What I like about this camera for macro photography is the 3-inch flip-out touch LCD screen. It can be moved to give you the best angle for taking close-ups of all the small things.

The live view autofocus performance is great, although you might choose to use manual focus for closer macro shots. It has some AF tracking features, which is handy if you’re shooting insects.

This camera gives you great value for your money. As long as it is paired with the right lens, it’s capable of good-quality macro photography.

The 18-55mm kit lens, while not able to provide life-size macro images, lets you get quite close. With a set of inexpensive extension tubes, it can be transformed into a proper macro lens. The fairly large APS-C sensor will capture the depth and detail coming from the lens. All this promises great image quality.

On this camera, the lenses are interchangeable, not fixed. So, if you already have a set of Canon lenses, they will work here, too. One benefit of mirrorless shooting is very fast frame rates. And with the EOS R50, you can shoot full HD at up to 120 fps.

And if your movies are heading for Instagram, then you can use the vertical movie mode for that. It’s an impressive camera at a very attractive price.

7. Nikon Z30

Brand	Brand Nikon
Sensor Format	Sensor Format APS-C
Lens Mount	Lens Mount Nikon Z
Megapixels	Megapixels 20 MP
In-body Stabilization	In-body Stabilization
Autofocus Points	Autofocus Points 209
Minimum ISO (Native)	Minimum ISO (Native) 100
Maximum ISO (Native)	Maximum ISO (Native) 51,200
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 11 fps
Video	Video
Screen Size	Screen Size 3"

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The Nikon Z30 is the Nikon counterpart of the previous camera. They are similar in features, parts, and quality, so it’s up to your brand preference.

Both of these major brands are gradually phasing out their DSLR products. And mirrorless is where you find their innovations and focus now. The Z30 is an entry-level APS-C camera. But that doesn’t mean it’s short on features.

You get a 20.4 MP sensor, 209 AF points, and up to 51,200 max IOS (expandable up to ISO 204,800). There’s 4K video and 120 fps at 1080p. So it’s a well-specced camera.

There are plenty of excellent lenses available for the Z30, and the Nikon Z 105mm f/2.8 VR Macro is an example. Near-perfect optics and all-around excellent performance make this a great choice. The Z30’s screen makes working in awkward spots a breeze, too.

Although the Nikon Z30 is mainly aimed at the vlogging “creator” community, there’s no doubt it makes a great general-purpose camera. With the right lens, it is a very impressive choice for a macro photography camera.

8. Ricoh GR IIIx

Brand	Brand Ricoh
Sensor Format	Sensor Format APS-C
Lens Mount	Lens Mount Fixed
Megapixels	Megapixels 24 MP
In-body Stabilization	In-body Stabilization
Autofocus Points	Autofocus Points 1
Minimum ISO (Native)	Minimum ISO (Native) 100
Maximum ISO (Native)	Maximum ISO (Native) 102,400
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 4 fps
Video	Video
Screen Size	Screen Size 3"

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You don’t necessarily need a dedicated macro camera, accessory, or lens. The Ricoh GR IIIx is a premium compact camera with a large sensor. It’s not cheap, and it’s not usually regarded as a macro camera. But this is only because it’s more suitable for street photography. Its macro capabilities are still really impressive and worth mentioning on this list.

This camera features a fixed 18mm f/2.8 lens paired with a 24 MP APS-C sensor. Both are among the best we’ve ever seen in a compact camera. The colors and details are outstanding, as is the user experience. A 3-inch touchscreen LCD is the heart of the interface. But there are three control dials, and it’s highly customizable.

With the press of a button, you can activate the macro mode. It will allow the lens to extend further out from the housing and focus as close as 6 cm from the lens. It gives you almost life-size magnification with fantastic image quality.

A touchscreen and a snappy autofocus system allow you to shoot macro photography with autofocus, which is rare.

If you value a portable camera over the highest possible versatility of a DSLR, this is your choice. Not only is this one of the best cameras for casual shooting and street photography, but it’s awesome for macro, too!

9. Nikon D850

Brand	Brand Nikon
Sensor Format	Sensor Format Full Frame
Lens Mount	Lens Mount Nikon F FX
Megapixels	Megapixels 45.7 MP
In-body Stabilization	In-body Stabilization
Autofocus Points	Autofocus Points 153
Minimum ISO (Native)	Minimum ISO (Native) 64
Maximum ISO (Native)	Maximum ISO (Native) 25,600
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 7 fps
Video	Video
Screen Size	Screen Size 3.2"

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This is probably as great as you can get on the Nikon side. The Nikon D850 is a pricey but awesome professional full-frame DSLR camera. It really is a wonder to use and to look at the results afterward.

You can use it for basically any type of photography and get stunning results with the right lenses. It’s great for macro photography because of its high 47 MP resolution and exceptional dynamic range.

The Micro-Nikkor 105mm lens is Nikon’s most popular professional macro lens. It’s sharp, rugged, and features image stabilization. For handheld shooting, that’s a huge plus.

10. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

Brand	Brand Canon
Sensor Format	Sensor Format Full Frame
Lens Mount	Lens Mount Canon EF
Megapixels	Megapixels 30.4 MP
In-body Stabilization	In-body Stabilization
Autofocus Points	Autofocus Points 61
Minimum ISO (Native)	Minimum ISO (Native) 100
Maximum ISO (Native)	Maximum ISO (Native) 32,000
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 7 fps
Video	Video
Screen Size	Screen Size 3.2"

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The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is an awesome professional camera with a full frame 30 MP CMOS sensor. It’s probably the most user-friendly professional DSLR out there. This is because of its intuitive controls and responsive user interface. There’s a touch-sensitive LCD screen. And button placement is intuitive and comfortable.

The 100mm f/2.8L is one of the best macro lenses I’ve ever used. It’s not a champion in terms of magnification (none of the lenses on this list are), but it’s perhaps the sharpest. And its stabilization system is a game-changer, allowing for impressive handheld macro photos.

It’s hard to stabilize a macro lens effectively because every bit of hand movement is accentuated by the short working distance. Canon’s Hybrid IS thus can shift the entire lens along the main axis, not just the usual directions.

11. Nikon Z5

Brand	Brand Nikon
Sensor Format	Sensor Format Full Frame
Lens Mount	Lens Mount Nikon Z
Megapixels	Megapixels 24 MP
In-body Stabilization	In-body Stabilization
Autofocus Points	Autofocus Points 273
Minimum ISO (Native)	Minimum ISO (Native) 100
Maximum ISO (Native)	Maximum ISO (Native) 51,200
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 4.5 fps
Video	Video
Screen Size	Screen Size 3.2"

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There are Nikon mirrorless cameras that are faster and better for sports. But with macro photography, that’s not a problem. This Nikon Z5 offers great value. It has an excellent sensor, a superb electronic viewfinder, and is very quiet. All of these things are good in a macro camera.

You can pick and choose from the wealth of lenses available for the Z mount (including F-mount lenses with an adapter).

Other features like full-frame autofocus and 5-axis stabilization make this a tremendous camera for macro. Weather sealing means outdoor macro photography is a safe possibility. And the dual card slots make it a workhorse of a macro camera.

Conclusion: Camera For Macro Photography

These are the best cameras for macro photography, in our opinion. If you’re looking to capture clean, sharp close-ups, you will find each of them to be a great camera. But the most important component of the best macro photos is the photographer who puts their soul and skills into photography.

Take your time to weigh the features that each camera offers and choose the one that fits your needs best. If you have the option, try them in person. One of the best ways to decide on your camera choice is a hands-on experience.

Our overall winner is this superb Canon EOS RP. It’s a top-quality full-frame mirrorless. And it’s a fantastic camera for macro photography.

Our Top 3 Choices for The Best Camera For Macro Photography

Canon EOS RP

Olympus Tough TG-6

Nikon W300