Thread: DSLR for Macro

The first thing you need to know is that the biggest factor that dictate image quality is sensor size. Medium Frame > Full Frame > 1.5x APSC > Canon 1.6x APS-C > 2x Micro 4/3 > 2.7x 1-inch

I think 1-inch ILC systems are now dead. Only a few fixed lens cameras are still made such as Sony RX10 and RX 100 lines. MF are very expensive and more of a luxury thing than functionally required. That leaves the four sizes in the middle to choose from.

M43 bodies are cheap. especially second hands, but IQ is definitely a step down and more importantly M43 lenses are not cheap.

Traditionally, Canon bodies are slightly overpriced compared to competition but lenses are usually cheaper for the same quality. I am not sure if this is still the case as of 2019. Nikon bodies are usually slightly better featured and cheaper than Canon but lenses are slightly more expensive. all other competitors, Sony, Pentax, Fuji, tend to price their bodies competitively and make it up in lens, flash, and other accessories. Also Canon and Nikon tend to have more class leading lenses than other brands (for example, Canon 70-200 2.8 II, 70-300L, all big white lenses, tilt shift lenses, 100L, Nikon 14-24, 85 1.4, 105 1.4, etc).

Personally I would not recommend first time system camera buyers to buy anything that is not Canon and Nikon, due to the trap of higher lens costs.

If you are to buy an APS-C camera, I personally think Nikon is better than Canon, you get a larger sensor and better dynamic range across broad. There are no good APS-C lens worth buying anyway.

For FF, it really is just a wash between Canon and Nikon. Since 2012, Nikon has been taking the lead in dynamic range. Canon 6D1 was pretty good, but 6D2 has weak dynamic range. Nikon D600, D610, D750 D800, D810, D850, all consistently have class leading dynamic range. Dynamic range would not affect macro, however.

You can also consider third party macro lenses. Sigma makes a relatively cheap 70 2.8, also a high end 150 2.8 and 180 2.8. But they are not very common.