With the best macro lenses, photographers can capture startlingly detailed images of the tiniest subjects, from bugs and insects to manufactured objects. If you've come across an image of a tiny insect or plant that dramatically fills the frame with incredible levels of detail, and have wondered how it was made – well, chances are that it was captured with a macro lens.
Macro lenses are built with a specific optical construction that enables the dramatic magnification of small subjects. They're also designed to focus at close distances, helping to throw out the background, and provide a flat plane of focus that reduces softness in the corners, at least when shooting flat objects like stamps, from head-on.
I've tested, used and reviewed many macro lenses, and these are the ones that have made the best impression – for all the major camera systems. If you're looking for a good close-up camera as well, check out our guide to the best cameras for macro photography. But for now, let's get to those lenses!
Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer – and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners! In this guide, he has selected the best-buy macro lenses for a variety of different camera systems.
The best macro lenses
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Best Canon macro lens
Canon came up with something rather special when designing this lens. The Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM takes everything that was great about the older EF version and makes it even better. Magnification? Boosted to 1.4x. Stabilization? Upped to 8 stops (on EOS cameras that feature IBIS). Bokeh? Even more beautiful, thanks to a control ring that shifts the lens elements. Focus and breathing? Faster and more controlled than ever.
It's a superb standalone portrait lens as well, with pin-sharp rendering and a flattering focal length. If you're an EOS R-series shooter and you want to photograph close-ups of small things and large things alike, you've just found your next purchase! Unfortunately, the price has increased along with the specs, so it doesn't come cheap.
See our full Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM review
Features ★★★★★ | When is a full macro lens not a full macro? This one stretches all the way to 1.4x with a host of accompanying features. |
Design ★★★★★ | The design includes a spherical aberration control ring for control over bokeh, amongst other highlights. |
Performance ★★★★★ | Resolution of fine detail in extreme close-up photography is exemplary, as is all other aspects of performance. |
Value ★★★★★ | There’s no denying it’s pricey for a macro lens, but you get what you pay for and more to boot. |
Best Nikon macro lens
Nikon’s MC 105mm is one of two full-frame Z-mount macro lenses. There's also the more inexpensive Z MC 50mm f/2.8, which is a good lens, but this MC 105mm has a more practical focal length for macro photography and is a properly pro-grade lens – it's well worth the extra cost.
Sublime image quality for both general shooting and extreme close-ups is backed up by a super-fast and consistently accurate autofocus system, along with highly effective optical VR (Vibration Reduction) that can work in tandem with the in-body stabilizers of Nikon’s full-frame Z-series cameras.
Handling exotica includes a multi-function OLED display, a customizable Lens-function button and control ring, plus an autofocus range limiter, along with an electronically coupled focus ring that enables ultra-fine adjustments. Everything’s wrapped up in a tough, weather-sealed construction. Image quality, all-around performance, and handling are simply sensational.
See our full Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S review
Features ★★★★★ | Top-notch features include a customizable function button and multi-mode OLED info display panel. |
Design ★★★★★ | Build quality and handling are fully pro-grade, with plentiful weather-seals and an additional customizable control ring. |
Performance ★★★★★ | Image quality is flawless for extreme close-ups at up to 1.0x magnification, as well as for portraiture and still life photography. |
Value ★★★★★ | It’s certainly not a cheap lens but it’s nevertheless excellent value for an own-brand Nikon lens of this quality and performance. |
Best Sony macro lens
Sony’s time-honored FE 90mm macro lens has been looking a bit old and tired for some time now. Enter the new FE 100mm, which is everything I’d hope for (and more) in a top-end macro lens. For starters, it goes extra-large on maximum magnification, boasting 1.4x magnification at its minimum focus distance, instead of the more usual 1.0x. And if that’s still not enough, you can boost it to as much as 2.8x for revealing near-microscopic levels of detail, if you add a 2x teleconverter.
While the maximum magnification is highly impressive, there’s a lot more to this lens than just acting as a magnifying glass for your Sony A7 V. There’s a smorgasbord of handling exotica, including a calibrated manual focus scale (I typically prefer manual focusing for macro shooting), an AF/MF switch, focus range limiter, stabilizer on/off and an iris lock switch to go with the aperture control ring.
High-performance glass includes two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements and two XA (eXtreme Aspherical) elements, along with a particularly well-rounded 11-blade aperture diaphragm. Nano AR Coating II and fluorine coatings are also applied. The lens isn’t a one-trick pony either. Great for portraiture or just as a short telephoto prime, it has no less than four XD (eXtreme Drive) linear motors to power its fast and virtually silent autofocus system.
Read more: Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM OSS review
Features ★★★★★ | Advanced features include four XD autofocus motors, an aperture ring with a de-click switch, refined manual focusing and Optical SteadyShot. |
Design ★★★★★ | The design is something of a masterstroke, packing 1.4x macro magnification into a reasonably compact lens with top-end handling characteristics and weather-seals. |
Performance ★★★★★ | The lens is super-sharp and delivers fabulously detailed macro images, along with fast autofocus and great quality in general shooting. |
Value ★★★★☆ | It’s undeniably expensive for a macro lens but this Sony really is something rather special, making it good value at the price. |
Best Panasonic macro lens
The Panasonic Lumix impresses with its compact size, particularly notable for a full-frame macro lens. Its lightweight design stands out, making counterparts from other major brands seem bulky in comparison. Additionally, it seamlessly integrates with Panasonic’s full-frame prime lens lineup, boasting similar dimensions and weight, facilitating easier video balancing.
Image quality is great across the frame, although wide open, the corners are average until you get to f/4, before they sharpen up, but image quality in the centre is pin sharp at any aperture. At close focusing distances, the lens exhibits some focus hunting, although once locked, the focus is silent and highly accurate.
Despite the absence of optical image stabilization, Panasonic cameras' reliable in-body image stabilization compensates well, though there's curiosity about whether combined stabilization could offer even greater stability.
See our full Panasonic Lumix S 100mm f2.8 Macro review
Features ★★★★☆ | Great standard length 1:1 macro lens, but lacking OIS and doesn't push any boundaries. |
Design ★★★★★ | Weather resistant, and incredibly small and lightweight without sacrificing quality. |
Performance ★★★★★ | Excellent macro performance, slight corner softness wide open, but very sharp from f/4. |
Value ★★★★★ | Competitively priced against the competition, although other brands have a few more features. |
Best Sigma macro lens
Sigma used to make an excellent 105mm f/2.8 macro lens for DSLRs, but this version has been completely redesigned for mirrorless cameras. For revealing ultra-fine levels of detail in anything from insect and bug photography to extreme close-ups of all things small and smaller, this is a fabulous macro lens.
It’s super-sharp and delivers stellar image quality in all respects, while the feature-rich, high-quality build ensures wonderfully refined handling. The lens also works well for portraiture and general short-telephoto shooting with Sony full-frame cameras, and it's also available in an L-mount version.
See our full Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN MACRO Art review
Features ★★★★★ | Smart features include an autofocus range limiter and an aperture control ring with click/de-click options. |
Design ★★★★★ | The design enables full 1.0x macro magnification with high-end handling and weather-seals. |
Performance ★★★★★ | Sharpness is superb and the Sigma is a top performer in all aspects of image quality. |
Value ★★★★☆ | It’s not cheap but the price is very reasonable considering the features and build quality. |
Best Tamron macro lens
With fully internal focusing, this Tamron lens retains its relatively compact physical length of about 5 inches even at its shortest focus distance. That helps to retain a comfortable working distance in macro photography, rather than the front of the lens encroaching on the subject.
Autofocus is driven by a VXD (Voicecoil eXtreme Drive) motor, which is rapid for general shooting as well as being virtually silent. For ultra-precise macro shooting, there’s the usual slowdown in autofocus speed to ensure optimum accuracy. Handling extras include an autofocus range limiter and a customizable function button.
The lens has 15 elements arranged in 12 groups, and includes four LD (Low Dispersion) elements to enhance clarity and color reproduction while minimizing color fringing. You also get a particularly well-rounded aperture diaphragm, based on 12 blades, which is a first for a Tamron lens. Image quality and all-round performance are top-drawer.
See our full Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD review
Features ★★★★☆ | There’s an autofocus range limiter and function button but no optical stabilizer nor an aperture control ring. |
Design ★★★★★ | The design features good build quality, weather-seals and great handling characteristics. |
Performance ★★★★★ | Image quality is excellent in all respects, and the autofocus system works really well. |
Value ★★★★☆ | It’s a fair bit less expensive than own-brand Nikon 105mm and Sony 90mm macro lenses. |
Best Fujifilm macro lens
As Fujifilm's first true 1:1 macro lens, the Fujinon XF 80mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro is built to a professional standard, featuring a robust, weather-sealed construction that allows for shooting in challenging outdoor conditions. It includes a physical aperture ring and a wide, smooth manual focus ring. However, it is relatively large and heavy (750g), which can feel front-heavy on smaller Fujifilm bodies.
The 80mm focal length translates to a 120mm full-frame equivalent, offering a comfortable working distance for skittish subjects like insects. The lens features a fast, quiet Linear Motor (LM) autofocus system and a focus limiter switch with three ranges to prevent hunting. Furthermore, the built-in Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) provides up to five stops of compensation, which is crucial for handheld macro work where camera shake is magnified.
Sharpness is exceptional in the center of the frame, and while lab results showed some softness in the extreme corners at wider apertures, this is rarely an issue for its primary uses: macro and portraits. Chromatic aberration and distortion are expertly controlled. If you'd prefer a shorter focal length for closer working distances, consider the Fujifilm XF60mm f/2.4 R Macro. For my money, though, this 80mm lens gives a more comfortable macro working distance.
See our full Fujifilm XF80mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro review
Features ★★★★☆ | There’s a decent feature set which includes an aperture ring and optical image stabilization. |
Design ★★★★☆ | It’s a bit big and bulky but, unlike Fujifilm’s 60mm macro, this lens gives full 1.0x rather than 0.5x maximum magnification. |
Performance ★★★★☆ | Center-sharpness is excellent but drops off as soon as you start drifting towards the edges and corners, throughout the aperture range. |
Value ★★★☆☆ | It’s pricier than many full-frame compatible 1.0x full macro lenses and not very good value. |
Best Micro Four Thirds macro lens
The Micro Four Thirds system lends itself well to macro photography. The cropped sensor delivers an effective focal-length magnification of 2x, meaning you get more telephoto reach from lenses that are both cheaper and lighter than their full-frame equivalents. This also has the advantage of increasing a macro lens's magnification factor. So, the OM System M.Zuiko 90mm f/3.5 Macro, which has a magnification ratio of 2:1, in practice delivers a 180mm field of view with a whopping 4:1 magnification ratio.
Tiny subjects get blown up to four times their actual size on the sensor, revealing an enormous level of detail. As you might imagine, this lens takes a bit of practice to wield, and its extra-tight focal length may not be suitable for every macro application. However, it's a spectacular lens that makes the most of the inherent advantages of the Micro Four Thirds format.
See our hands-on OM System M.Zuiko 90mm f/3.5 Macro review
Best Canon DSLR macro lens
Along with sturdy L-series build quality, Canon’s 100mm macro features hybrid optical stabilization. That's par for the course on most recent Canon 'macro' lenses, but this 100mm was the first of its kind and a real trend-setter. Other upmarket attractions include ring-type ultrasonic autofocus and a three-position autofocus limiter switch, which can lock out the short or long end of the range.
The lens also has weather sealing and an Ultra-low Dispersion element. Image quality remains impressive throughout the aperture range, right down to f/22, helping you to eke out a little extra depth of field. Autofocus is fast and accurate and quiet; more importantly, for most macro shooting, the manual focus ring is smooth and precise.
See our full Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM review
Features ★★★★★ | Great features include ‘hybrid’ optical stabilization, which was a world first when this lens was launched. |
Design ★★★★★ | Solid and dependable, the lens is typical of Canon’s exalted L-series line-up and includes extensive weather-seals. |
Performance ★★★★☆ | Image quality and all-round performance are very good overall but lose out to the newer equivalent Canon RF lens. |
Value ★★★★☆ | It’s comparatively pricey to buy for a macro optic, which is no surprise for one of Canon’s top-end lenses. |
Lab data and comparisons
The graph below shows the comparative performance of the lenses in this guide, based on our in-house lab tests. Nearly all of the lenses in this group are ultra-sharp, with the Sony FE 100mm taking top spot, narrowly beating the Nikon Z MC 105mm and Tamron 90mm lenses. Lab results for sharpness are relatively uninspiring for the Fujifilm XF 80mm.
Scores for sharpness and color fringing are averaged from data taken across the entire image frame, from the center to the edges and corners, throughout the aperture range. For prime lenses (rather than zooms), there’s only one single distortion figure.
Bear in mind that these average values don't fully reflect specific areas of performance. For example, a lens might have virtually no color fringing at the center of the image frame, but much more towards the edges and corners. The results look more flattering when everything’s averaged out, based on the overall data. For more detailed graphs of each lens's performance, which give the full picture, check out the graphs in our full standalone lens reviews.
How to choose the best macro lens
While lots of lenses with decent close-up capabilities are referred to as macro lenses, there is actually stricter criteria to qualify as one. For a lens to be considered a "true" macro lens, it needs to have at least a 1:1 reproduction ratio, meaning that the subject on the sensor plane is the same as or greater than its size in real life. This is the key to getting those spectacular, frame-filling images of minuscule subjects.
There are some other important requirements for macro lenses. You're going to be getting very close to your subject, so a short focusing distance is a must, and they also tend to be longer in focal length (the sweet spot is generally agreed to be around 90-105mm, though there are variations in both directions), as this again makes it easier to fill the frame with one subject. For this reason, macro lenses are often useful in other contexts as well – their sharpness makes them good take-everywhere primes, their longer focal lengths make them handy for portraiture, and their ability to render detail makes them fantastic for food photography.
Are macro lenses good for portraits?
Yes! As you'll see from this list, most macro lenses tend to be telephoto primes around the 80-110mm mark, and this is right in the sweet spot for portrait photography. A narrow focal length like this allows you to flatter a subject's facial features and makes it easier to throw out the background. Also, many modern macro lenses are stabilized, which is handy when shooting handheld – something you're honestly more likely to do when capturing portraits than macro images, which are often tripod-bound.
What is the different between a macro and a 'normal' lens?
The key thing that marks out macro lenses is that they are designed to focus at extremely short distances. This means that not only are they designed with a short minimum focus distance, but they also perform well when used at this distance, with a flat plane of focus and little to no fall-off in the corners. As such, macro lenses tend to be very sharp in general (as they need to be for detail-focused photography).
How we test lenses
The lens experts in our testing lab run a range of tests under controlled conditions, using the Imatest Master testing suite. Photos of test charts are taken across the range of apertures and zooms (where available), then analyzed for sharpness, distortion, and chromatic aberrations.
We use Imatest SFR (spatial frequency response) charts and analysis software to plot lens resolution at the centre of the image frame, corners, and mid-point distances, across the range of aperture settings and, with zoom lenses, at four different focal lengths.
There's more to it than just the technical side, though! Beyond the lab, our reviewers test lenses in real-world environments – and sometimes on professional shoots! We work with lenses both indoors and outdoors, in studio conditions and in natural light, with as many different subjects as possible (or appropriate – there's no point testing a landscape lens' ability to shoot a portrait!).
We take into account everything from handling and ease of use to speed of autofocus and the overall quality of the images produced.
Find out more about how we test and review on Digital Camera World
