Macro lenses are specialized for close-up photography, providing incredible detail and sharpness. The best mirrorless macro lenses offer high magnification ratios, usually 1:1 (life-size), and excellent image quality, making them ideal for shooting small subjects like insects, flowers, or product details. Here are some of the best mirrorless macro lenses across different systems:
For Sony (E-mount)
- Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS
- Focal Length: 90mm
- Magnification: 1:1 (life-size)
- Key Features: Optical image stabilization (OSS), sharp, smooth autofocus.
- Why it’s great: One of the best macro lenses for Sony full-frame mirrorless cameras. It offers outstanding sharpness, smooth background bokeh, and OSS to reduce camera shake when shooting handheld.
- Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro
- Focal Length: 50mm
- Magnification: 1:1
- Key Features: Compact, lightweight, affordable.
- Why it’s great: A more affordable macro option with a 50mm focal length. While it requires getting closer to the subject, it’s a versatile lens for macro and general-purpose photography.
For Canon (RF-mount)
- Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
- Focal Length: 100mm
- Magnification: 1.4x (higher than life-size magnification)
- Key Features: Image stabilization, focus limiter, customizable control ring.
- Why it’s great: This lens offers a 1.4x magnification, exceeding typical 1:1 macro lenses, which is great for extreme close-ups. The lens also has image stabilization for handheld macro shots and produces beautiful bokeh.
- Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM
- Focal Length: 85mm
- Magnification: 1:2 (half life-size)
- Key Features: Optical image stabilization, compact design, affordable.
- Why it’s great: While it doesn’t offer full 1:1 magnification, the 85mm focal length and 1:2 magnification ratio make it a great dual-purpose lens for portraits and macro work. It’s also lightweight and affordable.
For Nikon (Z-mount)
- Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S
- Focal Length: 105mm
- Magnification: 1:1 (life-size)
- Key Features: Vibration Reduction (VR), weather-sealed, fast autofocus.
- Why it’s great: This lens offers excellent sharpness, fast and quiet autofocus, and VR to minimize shake. It’s perfect for handheld macro work, with the focal length providing good working distance from your subject.
- Nikon Z MC 50mm f/2.8
- Focal Length: 50mm
- Magnification: 1:1
- Key Features: Compact, lightweight, affordable.
- Why it’s great: A more budget-friendly option for macro photographers, it offers 1:1 magnification in a compact form, ideal for travel and close-up photography of subjects like food, flowers, or smaller objects.
For Fujifilm (X-mount, APS-C)
- Fujifilm XF 80mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro
- Focal Length: 80mm (equivalent to 120mm on full-frame)
- Magnification: 1:1 (life-size)
- Key Features: Optical image stabilization, weather-sealed, fast and quiet autofocus.
- Why it’s great: The top macro lens in the Fujifilm X-mount lineup, with outstanding sharpness, stabilization, and weather resistance, making it ideal for outdoor macro photography.
- Fujifilm XF 60mm f/2.4 R Macro
- Focal Length: 60mm (equivalent to 90mm on full-frame)
- Magnification: 1:2 (half life-size)
- Key Features: Compact and lightweight.
- Why it’s great: While not offering 1:1 magnification, this is a lightweight and compact macro lens, perfect for photographers looking for a versatile lens that can handle both macro and portraits.
Key Features to Look for in Macro Lenses:
- Magnification ratio (1:1 or greater): Look for lenses that offer at least 1:1 magnification for life-size reproduction.
- Focal length (90mm to 105mm range preferred): Provides good working distance between you and the subject, making it easier to light and frame your shot without disturbing delicate subjects.
- Image stabilization: Helps reduce camera shake, especially when shooting handheld at close distances.
- Sharpness: Macro lenses are designed for extreme detail, so sharpness across the frame is crucial.
- Weather-sealing: Helpful for outdoor macro work, especially in nature photography.