Get Up Close with Your Subjects with the Best Macro Video Cameras
It should not come as a surprise that macro videography or photography, for that matter can be a lot of fun. If you are looking for something different and reliable, this is the way to go and you can enjoy the process, as well. The whole idea of getting up close and personal with subjects can result in some dramatic footage as well.
We have talked about macro photography extensively in the past but since you are in need of the best macro video camera, you are at the right spot. We have managed to compile a list of some of the finest options available in the market that should help you get access to the best offerings that you can get your hands on.
Best Macro Video Cameras
The list caters to almost every budget and if you want the best of the best, then simply put your hands on the Sony RX100 VII as it serves as one of the best overall cameras in terms of overall performance.
The purpose of this post is to explore all the excellent cameras for macro photography as well as videography, so if you have been looking for something that can deliver good macro photography, and image quality at the same time, this round-up is going to help you as we look at the best cameras for macro.
Editor’s Pick
Sony RX100 VII – Best Overall Camera for Macro
Sony RX100 VII comes with a brilliant 8x zoom and a 1-inch sensor with amazing burst capabilities and excellent image quality as well.
Sony does not have any shortage of good cameras in its arsenal and that is what makes the company so diverse because regardless of what you are looking at or looking for, you are going to find some excellent cameras all around and therefore, the process is a lot better, too.
Thankfully, the Sony RX100 VII is one of the best cameras that we have talked about time and again and if you are looking for something that is good, you will be happy with the performance it brings thanks to having a whole heap of features that will suit vloggers and photographers, alike.
This is the best camera for macro photography bringing one of the sharpest 8x zoom lenses that you can find, and having an electronic viewfinder is always a treat since it makes shooting pictures and videos a lot better. Not to forget, for those who are into video, you are getting great features as well, and 4K recording is a cherry on top.
The 20 frame per second capture with subject tracking is another impressive thing about this camera, and it also brings eye detection for people as well as pets, and the tilting touch screen is honestly really helpful when shooting videos.
The highlight here is the 1-inch sensor that you can never get bored with because if you are searching for something that works really well, and has a bright and big sensor, this camera should be on the top.
Honestly, the camera does not really limit a lot of usabilities, we all know Sony never made this camera dedicated to just macro videography but it is good at that and works really well for the price. Sure, it cannot start recording videos while the SD card is in use, and the touch functionality is not as varied, but those don’t make the experience any worse.
Overall, I can wholeheartedly recommend this camera to a lot of people who are looking to get into macro photography and want their hands on something that is good and respectable, to say the least.
Ricoh WG-50 – Best Affordable Camera for Macro
This camera has one of the best macro shooting features with lightweight but rugged construction and good image quality making it one of the best cameras for macro.
The common misconception in most of the cases with cameras is that these cameras are expensive and are out of budget for a lot of people and while I would like to agree with that at some point, it is quite simply not true. Every now and then you find a gem that is not just affordable but manages to get the job done, as well.
The Ricoh WG-50 is just one of those cameras. This oddly styled camera has been in the market for some time now, and it does offer some really nice additions that make this camera what it stands for. For starters, you are getting access to a fairly lightweight, compact, and tough construction, which is excellent.
If you are someone who likes to experiment with what they are shooting, then the wide choice of shooting modes is only going to make your experience better and smoother, too. Sure, it will take some time but you will get used to it.
Let’s not forget that the camera is excellent when you are talking about macro because the macro performance on this camera is easily one of the best I have seen.
Now, I do have some gripes here. For starters, the autofocus can be sluggish in some cases, and the camera does not come with any zoom rocker, either. Another downside is well, the design of this camera is not something that everyone is going to be in love with.
Overall, I would say that the Ricoh WG-50 has managed to surprise me to the point that I think it is a good camera that does deliver good performance, and if you are looking for some solid, macro videography, this is a good camera.
Olympus Touch TG-6 – Best Waterproof Camera
This camera deserves an investment because of its tough and waterproof build with a wide aperture and a touch screen on the back.
Waterproof cameras have managed to build a reputation of their own and for all the right reasons, to be honest. Over the past couple of years, we have come to realize that every time you look at these cameras, you will realize how diverse the market really is, and honestly, these cameras are going to be delivering excellent performance across the board.
The Olympus Tough TG-6 is just another example of excellent craftsmanship as this camera is really good and delivers stellar performance across the board you are really not going to be disappointed in terms of how this camera works as it is easily one of the best cameras for macro.
With that said, there is much to love about this camera. For starters, the camera delivers a tough, waterproof build that is excellent in almost every case. The rear LCD screen is sharp, and having a wide aperture lens helps a lot with low-light shooting too.
Thankfully, Olympus has managed to add both 4K video and wireless capabilities to the camera, making the overall package even better in every sense of the way.
However, my favorite feature here is that the camera comes with support for add-on lenses as well as macro lights that will make your whole macro videography experience all the better.
While I do love this camera, I believe there are a few downsides that need to be addressed. For starters, the screen on the back is not touched and can pick up scratches; lastly, the video features are not as good as we would want.
Overall, the Olympus TG-6 is definitely a camera that most people would want to invest in and it works really well, too. So, in case you are looking for something reliable, this is the camera you need to get.
Olympus TG-5 – Best Affordable Waterproof Camera
Olympus TG-5 has one of the best waterproof build quality, with the ability to shoot pictures in RAW.
Olympus cameras are really good for a whole heap of reasons and the fact that they are able to deliver solid performance is something that you must all keep in mind whenever you are about to get your hands on a good camera. However, not every camera in the market is going to serve the same purpose and there are always differences that are going to become the way, and it is better than you being wary of these things.
Thankfully, you can always look into good offerings such as the Olympus TG-5. While the camera started off as an expensive one, over time it has become more budget friendly than it used to be. It still offers the tough build quality that is also waterproof. You are also getting access to an amazing lens that has a wider aperture for good lowlight performance.
The focusing system is also quick, and the 20 frames per second burst shooting always work really. The camera also brings 4K support and RAW capabilities, making it one of the better contenders in the market.
The highlight of this camera is, of course, the excellent macro feature that allows you to get really close to the subject and take some amazing shots or footage, for that matter. If you want something good, you will not be let down at all.
Honestly, after spending time with this camera, I have come to realize that there are some flaws that are worth mentioning. For starters, you are looking at a 460-k dot LCD, and the 4K footage is cropped. You also do not get access to a full manual mode.
I would say that the Olympus TG-5 is definitely a good camera but it does lack some functionalities but they do not hinder your overall experience.
Nikon D500 – Best Affordable DSLR for Macro
The D500 is one of the finest cameras that you can get with great results and overall quality.
Nikon cameras have been excellent for as long as one can remember and the best part is that if you want an absolute good camera that is not going to break the bank and can be used for more than just macro photography, you are looking at the right camera.
The Nikon D500 is, by all means, an excellent camera in many aspects, and the good thing is that you are not going to be let down with this camera. The good thing with this camera is that you are getting one of the best build qualities that also bring dust and weather resistant designs.
The advanced edge-to-edge autofocusing system is also excellent and will not let anyone down, either. The 10 frames per second capture with tracking focus is not something that you should overlook. The camera is also excellent when you are talking about shooting at higher ISO as there is very little noise.
The camera also gives you access to both XQD and SD card slots; giving you more choice overall in terms of how you are going to shoot with the camera.
Thankfully, Nikon has equipped the camera with a large buffer that allows for extended shooting, something I always appreciate in any camera.
I do love the Nikon D500, but there are a few downsides that I would mention here. For instance, the Snapdbridge wireless transfer is not as refined; the 4K video is also cropped, and the camera does not come with an in-built flash.
Overall, I would easily say that the Nikon D500 actually serves as an excellent camera for anyone who is looking for something that is good. However, I would suggest that you do put a dedicated macro lens on the camera, and doing so will solve most of your issues.
Nikon W300 – Best Macro Video Camera for Beginners
Nikon W300 has a waterproof body and is easy to operate, with excellent macro capabilities as well.
We are all aware of the fact that Nikon cameras have been tried and tested for the longest time and if you are looking for something that is going to deliver good performance, this camera is something that will result in great performance overall. If you want something that will deliver the performance you want, this is the way to go.
With that said, the Nikon W300 that we are looking at offers a tough and waterproof construction. So, if you do want something that is not going to let you down in terms of performance. This is the one that you should be looking into as the camera rarely lets anyone down.
Not to forget, you are also getting access to a camera that is very simple to use; so if you are just starting out, this camera is going to deliver that performance for you as well. The Nikon W300 also comes with built-in GPS, which is always excellent to have and will not let anyone down, to be honest.
The best bit about this camera, however, is the strong image quality, especially in good light, which makes this camera a treat to use and does not let anyone down, either.
There are a few downsides that I would like to address, however. For starters, the screen is on the reflective side, so that is one thing you will need to know. You are also getting no option to shoot in RAW, and the camera does lack some of the more advanced features.
Overall, if you want a camera that will cater to beginners, the Nikon W300 is a good camera that delivers promising performance overall and you will not be let down, either.
Nikon D850 – Best Flagship Camera for Macro
This camera comes with a 45.7-megapixel sensor that makes this camera the best one yet, with excellent build quality, and image reproduction.
Before we had the Z series, the Nikon D850 was the company’s flagship camera, and for all the right reasons as this camera delivered excellent performance all around the best part is that if you were in search of something that would be excellent almost all the regards, this is what you would want to get.
Now, the good thing about this camera is that it has a lot of amazing features built right into it. I would not just go ahead and call it a macro camera as it is a full-fledged camera that can perform more or less all the tasks.
You are getting access to a big, full frame 45.7-megapixel sensor with 153 points of autofocus, 7 frames per second burst shooting, as well as a pretty wide ISO range that makes the shooting experience all the better. Not only that, you are also getting access to 4K video, which makes everything better for video shooters.
There is also a pretty big optical viewfinder, and tilting touch LCD that makes everything good. The dual card slots are always a blessing for such a camera and you are also getting access to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, which is always a great thing.
Honestly, the massive sensor does the job for me as it is one thing that delivers exceptional performance on all fronts and if it is performance you are after, the sensor is excellent.
Honestly, my only gripes with this camera are minor, to say the least. You are getting a very limited SnapBridge system, and the lack of built-in flash might not stick well with everyone. You are also only limited to contrast detection focusing on Live View.
Overall, the Nikon D850 is a complete package for a lot of people. If you are really looking forward to a camera that delivers without holding you back, this is the one that you need. This is the professional-grade camera that everyone should have.
Canon EOS 90D – Best Budget DSLR for Macro Video
Canon EOS 90D captures 10 FPS with ITR tracking; it also delivers a near-mirrorless experience and all the modern features.
The Canon EOS 80D served as the workhorse semi-professional DSLR for as long as one can remember; that camera also deserves to be lauded as one of the cameras that kick-started many professional photographers to a point that you can never really get tired of what Canon has been offering.
So, when the new EOS 90D was introduced, a lot of people were looking to get their hands on the camera and try it out. To be honest; the camera is not at all a lot down, and if you are looking for something that does deliver strong performance, this is the one that you should be looking into.
For starters, you are getting a brand new 32.5-megapixel sensor that just makes the performance a lot better. Not just that, the 10FPS capture with ITR tracking is another thing that I love about this camera, and see it as a definite upgrade.
Canon’s vari-angle LCD makes a return, and you are also getting some degree of dust and splash protection, which is another great feature that you have access to. Not to forget, the optical viewfinder is always a treat to use.
The one thing that surprised me the most about the camera, however, is the fact that it manages to deliver mirrorless quality autofocusing when you are recording in 4K, which is impressive, to say the least.
There is so much to love about this camera, but there are some downsides, too. For instance, the busy rear dial is one thing that you might not enjoy. The camera also does not have any sync socket and only comes with a single memory card slot.
Overall, I can wholeheartedly endorse the Canon EOS 90D for being an amazing camera, and more importantly, being able to live up to the name and pay an homage to the legendary EOS 80D. It is an excellent budget DSLR for almost everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
The world of macro photography and videography is a lot of fun, to be honest. Sure, it can be tricky for everyone to learn but the more you are looking into it and the more you are invested in this, the better it will get with time and you are not really going to be in a situation where things can get out of the way.
Finding a camera that is dedicated to macro is not as easy because cameras have evolved to a point that they now function as all-in-one solutions. This means having a single specialized camera is not at all what people are going to go through.
Thankfully, you can go for something good from this list and that would get all your requirements sorted. That is the point here.
